Briefly -- issue #5

A Trove of Findings on Benefits to Language Learning

Proponents – or rather, in these times, valiant defenders – of language learning have a valuable resource at hand in the form of a small well-organized database on the website of ACTFL (formerly the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages), a collection of the results of various research initiatives, both recent and further back, investigating the benefits that accrue to learning another language. The collected research covers language learning at all school levels, and is divided into two sections: Academic Achievement, and Cognitive Benefits, totaling eleven categories in an array from improved own-language skills or improved reading skills when children learn to read in two languages, to an improved ability to hypothesize in science. Combined with other proven benefits like a broader sense of one's world, personal satisfaction and better job prospects, there would seem to be enough here to win over even the flintiest of scissor-handed financial officers.

Forum Europeaum: Young Europeans writing on Europe, in English

Based in Hungary, A new English-language media platform gives young Europeans a forum for discussing politics, culture and what makes Europe Europe. Founded less than a year ago, The Forum Europeaum (FEU) won first prize in the 2025 European Charlemagne Youth Prize, an initiative sponsored by the European Parliament to recognize and foster youth-led projects in favor of active EU citizenship and democratic participation. Its particular focus is promoting European unity-in-diversity by provoking debate on societal concerns and urging communication and action across the many European communities. Present across all social platforms, FEU's small pan-European staff organizes podcasts, videos, essays, including a Substack blog. American university students may find the Forum – which self-describes as a “movement” – to be a ready access point for contact and exchange with their European peers. They may also want to come to Strasbourg with IFE to get involved as interns with – for example -- the Council of Europe's young people's division or the international youth meetings organized by IFE's NGO partner, AMSED.

Tell Us What's to Like and What's Not

Speaking of Europe has completed its first year. If you have a minute we'd love to hear your comments! Your thoughts on what you've seen so far? What would you like to see going forward? Reply to the email you received or contact info@ife-edu.eu. Looking forward to reading you!