On the European Day of Languages, Franel was awarded the European language label in the Flemish Parliament. “Franel” is an e-learning platform for language teaching available free of charge on the Internet, offering learning activities based on original videos to anyone wanting to brush up his or her French or Dutch. Franel contributes to improving language practice, intercultural communication and language teaching in the French-Belgian border region. It’s not the first time that the learning platform draws the winning ticket. Earlier this year, it received the same language label from the French Community.

The European Label is an award that encourages new initiatives in the field of teaching and learning languages, rewarding new techniques in language teaching, spreading the knowledge of their existence and thereby promoting good practice. By supporting innovative projects, at a local and national level, the Label seeks to raise the standards of language teaching across Europe. Each year, the Label is awarded to the most innovative language learning projects in each country participating in the scheme. It is coordinated by the European Commission, but managed by the individual Member States, with national juries deciding on detailed criteria.

Franel was created thanks to a cross border organization within the context of the Interreg IV-Programme France-Wallonie-Vlaanderen. Prof. dr. Piet Desmet of iMinds ITEC KU Leuven Kulak coordinates the project.

Project Website: http://www.franel.eu.