KHACHATUR ABOVYAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

On September 26, 2001, the European Union and the Council of Europe declared the European Day of Languages (EDL) to celebrate linguistic diversity and highlight the importance of language learning.

Within the framework of the German Language Days in Armenia, the Chair of Foreign Language Teaching Methods of Armenian State Pedagogical University marked the EDL with a special event.

It was attended by Matthias Kiesler, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Armenia. He stressed the importance of preserving language diversity, meaning also those languages, which are not most widely spoken.

The Ambassador noted that unlike his contemporaries, today's young people have wider opportunities to learn and work in different European countries and focused on the knowledge of languages as the main prerequisite. “Based on my own experience, I advise you to master at least two foreign languages,” Matthias Kiesler said wishing all those interested in language learning a pleasant experience.

Ara Yeremyan, ASPU Vice-Rector for Personnel and International Cooperation, also welcomed all those present in the event, congratulated them on the occasion and wished them productive work. Underlining the importance of events held in the world and at the ASPU (since 2012) on the occasion of European Day of Languages, the Vice-Rector said, “Bilingualism or multilingualism have a lot of advantages: first, they facilitate the language learning process and communication with other people, second, they help job seekers in job searching and hunting.”

Melanya Astvatsatryan, Head of the Chair of Foreign Language Teaching Methods, presented interesting facts and details about the holiday, stressed the importance of foreign language learning and its perspectives.

As usual, pupils from different schools of the republic, including from the ASPU Base College, students, teachers, lecturers and guests joined in the celebrations of the big holiday with a beautiful concert programme.

At the end of the event, the attendees watched a film telling about the activities of the Council of Europe, as well as the goals and achievements of the structure.