Opportunities database

Exciting way for UK children learning German at primary school and their counterparts in Germany learning English at Grundschule to join up for a short-term bilateral project. The Bears arrive in the form of real soft toys, and come with a suitcase of easy to use materials designed to introduce young pupils to learning some basic German and interesting facts about Germany.

eTwinning is the European Union's eLearning platform which enables schools to get together virtually with partner schools in other European countries to carry out joint projects, exchange information and share learning materials.

Bilateral partnerships last two years and include a reciprocal exchange, each lasting a minimum of ten days, between the UK institution and another European partner school. The partnership benefits include increased motivation for, and skill in, language learning coupled with valuable exposure to other European cultures and education systems.

Host a German Language Assistant at your school to support German language teaching, extra-curricular activities and the general international work and atmosphere at your school!

The assistants are native German speakers who are either currently studying English or training to be a teacher of English in their home country.

They work at their host school for a minimum of 12 hours per week and can be 'shared' with other local schools in the area.

The European Language Label (formerly known as European Award for Languages) is a Europe-wide initiative which recognises creative ways to improve the quality of language teaching, motivate students, and make the best of available resources. To qualify for an Award, language projects must provide an inspiration to others, be replicable, and involve any language other than English. Schools, colleges, adult education and community projects are being encouraged to apply ahead of the deadline.

The Teachers' International Professional Development Programme (TIPD) enables teachers to experience good educational practice in different countries around the world through short term visits.

The European Voluntary Service (EVS) provides young Europeans with the unique chance to express their personal commitment through unpaid and full-time voluntary activities in a foreign country within or outside the EU.

International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) offers short-term vocational training for 2 to 3 months in the summer. Placements are available in industrial and commercial organisations, research institutes, local government bodies, state enterprises, consultancies, laboratories and academic institutions. Aims to foster the exchange of technical knowledge and help to globalise tomorrow's workforce of scientists and engineers.

Europe-wide network of organisations giving young people access to information on opportunities to work, study, travel and volunteer abroad, as well as European funding.

Leonardo supports national training strategies through funding a range of transnational partnership projects aimed at improving quality, fostering innovation and promoting the European dimension in vocational training.

Framework for better transparency of qualifications and skills. It is designed to encourage mobility and lifelong learning in an enlarged Europe, helping citizens to better communicate and present their qualifications and skills throughout Europe.