Teaching and learning resources for minority language certifications in Europe: A comparative overview of availability for Catalan, Galician, Irish, Welsh, Upper Sorbian, and Lower Sorbian

• Published in: Journal on ethnopolitics and minority issues in Europe JEMIE Vol. 24; no. 3; pp. 144 - 168
• Main Author: Hoyte-West, Antony
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 11.09.2025
• ISSN: 1617-5247; 1617-5247
• DOI: 10.53779/ANHO0808

The creation of standardised certifications is a complex procedure, even for major world languages. For many minority and minoritised languages, the development of relevant criteria, specifications, and accreditations may be complicated by historical, societal, and political factors. In developing the author’s previous work on the topic, this contribution will analyse the teaching and learning resources relating to the official certifications for six languages which are generally viewed as minority languages: Catalan, Galician, Irish, Welsh, Upper Sorbian, and Lower Sorbian. Noting that certification possibilities are available in a wider range of minority languages, the principal selection criterion for the present interdisciplinary study was that the relevant official certifications comprised a portfolio of independent qualifications which were available at different levels and were explicitly aligned to the CEFR. Based on analysis of the official materials available on the websites of the relevant certifications, the study delves deeper into the types of teaching and learning resources available, including specimen examination papers, specially-designed textbooks, online training courses, and other pedagogical materials. In addition to summarising the current state of play for the six languages profiled, it also aims to offer suggestions on how resources for other minority language certifications could be expanded in the future.