About Language for work

Language for work (LfW) brings together two projects of the European Centre for Modern Languages of the Council of Europe carried out between 2012 and 2018. It includes a coherent approach to work-related second language development with special attention to the integration of migrants and refugees and ethnic minorities. LfW refers both to the present website and to a European network.

This website contains a comprehensive set of resources, outlining both competences and examples of practice. At the same time, it acts as a platform for an active network of professionals in the field, where teachers, providers, employers and authorities can share expertise and develop practice. Language for Work website brings together the results of the 2 ECML projects: 

• Language for work project 1: Developing migrants’ language competences at work (2012-2015)  
• Language for work project 2: Tools for professional development (2016-2018)

The LfW Network operates on a voluntary basis as a not‐for‐profit membership organisation of professionals engaged in the field of work-related language learning for adult migrants and ethnic minorities.

Why work-related L2 learning?

The logic chain

1. Integration of migrants is essential for society
2. Work is central to migrant integration
3. Communication is central to modern work practices*
4. The ability to communicate effectively at work is crucial for migrants, employers, wider society
5. Work-related language learning matters!

* Workers need to understand work, safety and quality issues, understand workplace rights and responsibilities, participate in relevant social networks, access training, etc., to cope with change and progress , and more…

Complex, boundary crossing

Work-related L2 learning is complex and boundary crossing – this field encompasses work, migration, intercultural communication, social policy, learning, language, literacy, linguistics, labour market, people management…and more.

It occurs in a range of contexts, including

• Pre-employment L2 learning for immigrants, also emigrants
• L2 learning in vocational schools
• Work-related learning in integration courses
• L2 learning for specific occupational areas, qualifications
• Workplace L2 learning

Work-related language learning is multi-dimensional, many faceted – but its various strands are strongly connected.