Introduction

Abstract

The topic of this issue of Babylonia is the role of all languages in the classroom and how to give each language, the language of schooling, regional languages and dialects, modern foreign languages and the languages of origin of migrant students a place in the classroom, so as to improve equal opportunities for all children in education. This topic was addressed during the Policy Forum that the Swiss authorities jointly organised with the Council of Europe in Geneva in November 2010 with the title “The right of learners to quality and equity in education – the role of language and intercultural skills”, thus emphasising the importance of creating equal educational opportunities for all children. With this special issue of Babylonia we hope to cover the main issues addressed at the conference and to make them available to a wider audience.