This Communication follows on from the Barcelona European Council of March 2002, which had called for the establishment of a linguistic competence indicator. The ultimate aim is to provide Member States with hard data and comparisons on which any necessary adjustments in their approach to foreign language teaching and learning can be based. This Communication sets out parameters and management arrangements for implementing the Indicator.

Progress towards the objective of ensuring that all pupils learn at least two foreign languages from an early age can only be measured using reliable data on the results of foreign language teaching and learning.

At the meeting of the European Council in Barcelona in March 2002, the Heads of State or Government called for the establishment of a linguistic competence indicator. The Commission undertook this task on a consensual basis with Member States' representatives, involving the Expert Working Groups on Languages and on Indicators and Benchmarks.