International Association   of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language

Linking, developing and supporting English Language   Teaching professionals worldwide

Here is FIPLV's declaration of principles for a Universal Declaration of Language Rights, which IATEFL has endorsed:

Fundamental Principles for a Universal Declaration on Language Rights

Document approved by the General Assembly of FIPLV (International Federation of Teachers of Living Languages) Pecs, Hungary, August 1991

1. Everyone has the right to learn any one or more languages.

2. Everyone has the right to identify with any language and to have that choice respected by all public, private and State institutions.

3. Everyone has the right to listen, speak, read, and write in any language.

4. Everyone has the right of expression in any language.

5. Everyone has the right to special education provision in the case of language handicap.

6. The teaching of any language may not be prohibited.

7. Everyone has the right to be taught, where practicable within the framework of State education but otherwise within the community or family, the language with which s/he and her/his family most readily identify.

8. Everyone has the right to be taught within the framework of State education the official language(s) of the State, nation or region in which s/he is domiciled.

9. Everyone has the right to be taught within the framework of State education at least one further language in order to extend his/her social, cultural, educational and intellectual horizons, and to enhance international horizons, and to enhance international understanding.

10. These rights shall apply to all persons. Provision for those to whom they have hitherto not been granted, should be made through community, further, adult, or higher education.

For those interested in a proposed Universal Declaration of Linguistic Rights, read Catherine Walter's article in the latest IATEFL Issues. And read the draft of the Universal Declaration that is being proposed to UNESCO.

If you want to suggest modifications to the draft, you can write to your country's National Commission of UNESCO, or its National UNESCO Delegation. You can find the address of your country's National Commission at the UNESCO website:

on behalf of the IATEFL Committee