Skip to main content
European Commission logo

Eurydice

EACEA National Policies Platform:Eurydice
Key data on teaching languages at school in Europe – 2023 edition

Comparative Reports

Key data on teaching languages at school in Europe – 2023 edition

30 March 2023

Linguistic diversity is part of Europe’s DNA. The mosaic of European languages includes not only countries’ official state languages but also the regional or minority languages spoken for centuries on European territory, not to mention the languages brought by migrants. Supporting language diversity and promoting language learning has been a constant policy line of the European Union.

The 2023 edition of Key data on teaching languages at school in Europe is the fifth edition of the report. As the past editions, this new one intends to contribute to the monitoring of the policy developments in the field of (foreign) language teaching in schools in Europe.

This report includes 51 indicators covering a wide range of topics relevant to (foreign) language policy at the EU and national levels. Data from the Eurydice Network is complemented by Eurostat data and data from two international surveys carried out by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD): the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the 2018 Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS).

Infographics: Key data on teaching languages at school in Europe – 2023 edition
Image
Starting age of and participation rate in foreign language learning
Image
Expected level of attainment – Instruction time
Image
Language-heterogeneous schools
Image
The study of English as a foreign language – Teachers’ transnational mobility
Image
Support measures for newly arrived migrant students

Latest Comparative Reports

School heads’ salaries in Europe 2024/2025

05 October 2026

School heads have a range of responsibilities, particularly in education systems where schools have a high degree of autonomy. These responsibilities may include managing human and financial resources, coordinating school organisation and teaching processes, and engaging with different stakeholders. In this context, school heads can play an important role in shaping the conditions in which...

Digital education at school in Europe 2026: bridging gaps in access, teaching and learning

22 September 2026

As digital transformation is reshaping all aspects of society, how are European education systems responding? Drawing on Eurydice policy data and ICILS 2023 survey evidence, the report provides an evidence-based overview of the state of digital education in Europe. It is an essential resource for policymakers working to develop inclusive, innovative, and future-ready education systems...

Early childhood education and care curricula in Europe 2025/2026

03 September 2026

An insight paper based on Eurydice’s System-level indicators This paper focuses on an essential part of high-quality ECEC systems – the curricula that shape what young children learn and experience, from setting developmental goals to proposing age-appropriate activities. It provides a concise overview of ECEC curricula across Europe, showing which countries have an integrated approach...

Preparedness Education in Europe - 2025

26 February 2026

In response to the increasing frequency of climate-related incidents, cyber threats, and geopolitical instability in Europe, the European Union has developed a Preparedness Union Strategy, aiming to support Member States’ capacity to respond effectively, which is both a national and a shared European duty. The strategy comprises actions to bolster Europe's capacity against geopolitical tensions...