The European Year of Languages, organised by the Council of Europe and the European Union, with the help of UNESCO, takes as its starting point the principle that language skills are important for mutual understanding, democratic stability, employment and mobility.

The year aims to raise awareness of the extent and value of Europe’s linguistic diversity; to encourage multilingualism; to promote language learning among the general public for self development, enhancing the economy, intercultural understanding and knowing one’s rights as a European; to encourage lifelong learning of languages regardless of age or background; and to collect and disseminate information about language teaching and learning. Everybody deserves the chance to benefit from the cultural and economic advantages language skills can bring. Learning languages also helps to develop tolerance and understanding between people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Mr. Vladimir Strugar, PHD, Mininster of Education and Sports in the Republic of Croatia, reports that the the Council of Europe and the European Union have launched the European Year of Languages 2001 in order to promote language learning and raise awareness of linguistic diversity as European wealth in a new, multicultural Europe. We are very much aware that languages open doors-doors to better mutual understanding, social and economic development. Second and even third language learning is very important in a country like Croatia, where the tourist economy depends on foreign speaking tourists. Tourism is the bread and butter of the Croatian economy and that is why the push in the last ten years for even earlier language learning in elementary school.

Pujanke Elementary School also had a wish to promote early language learning and actually implemented an experimental program in 1992. The program was a huge success and the children went on to earn their first certificates in English in the eighth grade, almost unheard for such young students.

Unfortunately, because of the war that devastated our country, the program lasted only four years, however, the students who had already begun finished successfully due to the dedication of their parents and the school.

Due to the diligence of our Principal, Mr. Boris Vidovic, the program was re-implemented in the year 2000. The idea behind the project is to introduce English as an enhancement to the program that they are already learning in school. The same material that they are taught in their regular school subjects is reiterated in the English language. Of course, only the most pertinent information is presented and in a dynamic, completely different method than how it has been presented in the past. A lot is expected of the children as well as from their parents, though in a support function. The internet is utilized as a resource for materials and ideas as well as as a tool for learning. The internet is a window to the world for our children and they will be able to communicate with children all over the world. Course curriculum will also be presented to them by aid of the computer and eventually, they will be tested or evaluated by computer. Our teachers give one-hundred percent of themselves and the materials are fun and creative The ‘Total Physical Response’ method is important as the children are required to physically act out concepts and words that they are learning. They are not presented the material out of a text and asked to memorize it. The material is presented through a series of props, flash cards, songs, poems, colorful worksheets, plays, and games. All the subjects are tied together in a neat, organized lesson plan that meets the requirements of the program. We feel confident that the end result will be satisfactory to the students, the parents and to us.

Our school will also be participating in other innovative cultural language projects such as Europe, From One street to the Other which will also be implemented in the other 47 countries participating in the European Cultural Convention during the school year 2001-2002. The project is designed to raise pupils’ awareness of the local street, where they spend so much time but take for granted it’s educational and cultural aspect. The project covers such interesting subjects as how the streets have changed over the years, urban street legends, how the street changes in the different seasons and how so much of our local economy depends on the streets. One might ask how an active school such as Pujanke has the time to make all these projects a reality. Thanks to the dedication of a dynamic staff and willing children, not to mention supportive parents, our school has truly succeeded in not only meeting but exceeding the standards of a European education.

In the spirit of cultural appreciation and as a result of the devastation our country felt due to terrorist attacks not so long ago, our school participated in the minute of silence in memory of the thousands of Americans who were killed in the catastrophes targeting the Pentagon and the World Trade Center. We have dedicated a sight on our web page to our participation in the Day of Remembrance.

Today, we are here to celebrate Europe’s colourful cultural diversity and to promote tolerance, understanding and the potential for intercultural economic prosperity. Though each of Europe’s individual cultures is different, we as people are basically the same and today, let us unite in our appreciation and recognition of so many of the world’s languages.

Stephanie Balić