Strategic issues for language teacher education in Europe

This article examines the wider social context for language education in Europe, and suggests some educational and organisational strategies that teacher educators can adopt to address the challenges. A number of significant changes have occurred over the past decade in socio-economic and educational contexts, including the 'hyperdiversity' of languages and the tension between issues of identity and issues of communication. New responses to the changes include technological advances, intercultural education and content and language integrated learning. If language education is to continue to play an important role in the future development of Europe, language teacher educators will need to address these challenges and develop appropriate programmes of initial training and professional development of language teachers. Drawing on the European Profile for Language Teacher Education, the article identifies some useful strategies, which educators should consider in reshaping their programmes to address the rapidly changing situation. These include issues of curriculum organisation, knowledge, competences, values and cooperation with fellow teachers and other stakeholders. If these are successfully addressed, language education can play an important strategic role in the future development of Europe