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Thirty languages and hundreds of talented visitors. The European Day of Languages inspired for the seventh time

The seventh annual European Day of Languages festival welcomed hundreds of visitors to Prague's Kampus Hybernská on Thursday 26 September. This year's main topic was minority languages in our country and worldwide and the varied programme presented to the general public some interesting aspects of languages and their teaching. It also included the traditional speak-dating, which was joined by Czech teachers from ÚJOP again this year.

The programme of the European Day of Languages on Thursday afternoon offered free language mini-lessons, lectures, subtitling and interpreting workshops, a pub language quiz and the popular speak-dating. In the speak-dating visitors could choose from nearly thirty different languages at thirty desks, among which were Irish Gaelic or the Czech sign language this year, and try them out in five-minute lessons. As every year, the Czech language desk was organized by ÚJOP UK teachers. Those who tried at least three languages proceeded to the prize draw.

There was great interest in the lessons this year again. "I have been in the Czech Republic for an hour now, I came to the speak-dating directly from the airport," said a visitor from Canada at the ÚJOP UK desk. Traditionally, some of the former students of ÚJOP also come to the Czech classes on the European Day of Languages to refresh their knowledge of Czech and to meet their colleagues. It was no different this year.

The event is organised by the Library of Language at the Philosophical Faculty of Charles University and the Representation of the European Commission in the Czech Republic. We are glad that this lovely event was a full-scale success this year as well, thanks to which hundreds of visitors were able to extend their linguistic horizons, which is invaluable for getting to know new cultures and building relationships.