Ianuam linguarum reserare: insegnamento delle lingue ed educazione interculturale

Opening the door of languages also means opening the door of cultures. European language policy takes into account the close link between language and culture and the importance of plurilingualism as a fundamental means to promote intercultural dialogue. The crisis of multiculturalism and the new socio-cultural emergencies require appropriate political responses, but these will not be effective without the education of all citizens for active and global citizenship, respect of human rights, dialogue and pacific coexistence. Language education should be at the forefront in the search for appropriate solutions to the new social challenges; language teachers and scholars are today called to fullfill an arduous task, with important educative and ethical implications: that of keeping open the door of languages and of intercultural dialogue.