The second Thematic Network Project in the Area of Languages (TNP2) was launched in September 2000.

TNP2 has 102 partners in all the participating countries. It is structured into three sub-projects: Curriculum innovation, New learning environments - the European learning space, and Quality enhancement in language studies. Each sub-project has its own Scientific Committee, whose members are drawn from countries across Europe. The main tasks in year 1 will be the preparation of national reports regarding the three themes, based on structures drafted by project's co-ordination unit, and of initial recommendations.

The new fully-fledged Thematic Network Project in the Area of Languages was officially launched at a two-day meeting held in Berlin on 17-18 November 2000, at which the work plans of the three sub-projects and the structures of the national reports to be prepared by the members of the three sub-project Scientific Committees were discussed and agreed. The meeting was a new experience in the sense that there were a substantial number of colleagues present representing partner universities in Central and Eastern Europe. It has to be admitted, however, that the start-up of the new Project has not been without problems. For example, a number of experts, notably experts from countries in which procedures for the assessment of academic performance are in place or are being introduced, withdrew before or shortly after the launch of the Project. This reflects a more general problem.

The three subproject Scientific Committees have now held their second meetings, and all is set for the preparation of the three synthesis reports envisaged in the project proposal. Initial results produced by the three Scientific Committees are to be presented in some of the Conference workshops.

The renewal application for Year Two was sent to Brussels on 1 March.

[Please visit the project website.]