Reflecting on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and Its Companion Volume. Little, D. & Figueras, N. (Eds.) (2022). Multilingual Matters, 226 pages. ISBN: 978-1-80041-018-3

Abstract

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is a highly influential language policy and education guide. Officially published in 2001, it's available in over 40 languages and used by individuals, institutions, and policymakers in various contexts with different aims and degrees of rigour, laying great impact on countries within and beyond Europe.

Recently, due to social mobility and change, the growing plurality in communities in a worldwide brings opportunities and challenges to language education. In response to these, the Council of Europe updated the CEFR and released its Companion Volume (CEFR-CV) in 2018 (a provisional) and 2020 (the definite version). It is the responsibility and of great significance of its member states, language education agencies and together with professionals to effectively utilize both documents. This book emerged from a two-day conference held in London, gathering expanded oral presentations from the guest speakers to kickstart  the vision on "Towards a Road Map for Future Research and Development," uniting diverse perspectives and essential questions.