English in mainland Europe - a Dutch perspective

The aim of this paper is to set out in some detail the position of English as a foreign language (henceforth: EFL) in mainland Europe. To achieve my purpose I shall first outline the evolution of EFL in continental Europe (section 1). This historical perspective is indispensable, as the past is necessary to understand the present and read the future. In my historical outline I will demonstrate that, in many respects, there is an unbroken line of development in foreign-language teaching, both in eastern and western Europe, despite the interlude of 45 years before the collapse of the Berlin Wall. Though the focus of many attention will be on state schools, I shall also glance at EFL in the private sector. After that I shall look at the position of EFL in the Europe of today (sections 2.1 and 2.2). Then I will look at what sets the European EFL classroom apart from other language of classrooms (section 2.3). Finally, I will take a look at EFL in the country that I know best: the Netherlands (section 3)