The project on the linguistic integration of adult migrants (LIAM) offers support to the Council of Europe’s member states in developing language integration policies and practices based on shared fundamental values – respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

In that framework the present report, also building on the previous two surveys (2007 and 2009), provides further information on language requirements and course provision in member states as a basis for shared reflection and debate on emerging policy trends in the light of our shared principles.

While consecutive surveys demonstrate how language requirements have increasingly become a significant element of migration and integration policies in many member states, the current exercise demonstrates a steady increase in the number of countries enacting legislation to make language proficiency a requirement for residence, citizenship, and in some cases entry. In particular this survey draws attention to a disquieting variation in the range of proficiency levels required, while also illustrating specific differences in policies for the provision of learning support and for language testing. It appears in some cases that language requirements aim at hindering migration and/or integration rather than facilitating integration.

The findings reported here, considered in the context of Recommendations and Resolutions of the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, underline the constant need to reflect critically on the appropriateness and effectiveness of aspects of our language integration policies while taking fully into consideration the implications for human rights, the rule of law and participation in the life of democratic society. This is a logical and necessary step in the continuous process of ensuring that any requirements enacted and accompanying language provision actually correspond to the real needs and capacities of migrants in their diversity, and that they reinforce their motivation to develop their plurilingual profile within a continuing process of integration. While of course language is an important instrument in this process, in itself it is not an indicator of how successful integration actually is.

A unique feature of this report is the analysis, to the extent that the data permits, of key developments in language policy over the period of the three surveys undertaken to date. The aim is to raise awareness of, and stimulate reflection and debate on, policy trends in member states in general; it is not to evaluate policy or its implementation in specific contexts.

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