European Union Teaching Resources
Listed below are a collection of resources for teaching learners about the European Union; including detailed lesson plans and activities as well as items that teachers can use in developing their own plans. The sections below highlight a number of websites containing free resources followed by links to projects and forums in which teachers may wish to explore taking part.
Where specified, the age range has been noted but in most cases the resources could also be adapted to suit other ages or be used as a basis for development of further lesson plans and activities.
Given the dynamic nature of European Government and Politics, it is possible that some resources will become out of date so teachers are advised to consider this when selecting items to use, but again, in most cases minor adjustments would mean that these can still be used.
The final section contains a selection of resources that teachers or learners may wish to use for further information or to boost their knowledge outside the classroom.
The European Union
This pack on the European Union contains a useful summary for citizenship educators on the main points of history and purpose of a variety of European Institutions. It also contains activities to engage learners and raise their awareness of the European Union.
Impact of EU membership
Another lesson plan mapped to AQA Activity covering the impact of UK membership of the EU and designed to promote discussion among learners.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office - Mock EU debate
This photo slideshow of students taking part in a Mock EU debate in November 2010
European Parliament Office of the United Kingdom - Education
Directory of various resources categorised by various age ranges and details on how to arrange a visit to Europe House.
Europe in 12 Lessons- Pascal Fontaine
Downloadable pdf covering the history and structure of the EU and life as an EU citizen.
Europa Teachers’ Corner
This portal provides access to a wealth of teaching resources for all ages and are categorised by age.
Europa Kids' Corner
A portal containing a series of interactive games and quizzes to help children to understand and learn key facts about the European Union.
Teacher Network – European Union
51 resources developed by schools, partners and the Guardian. These can be filtered by age range, type of activity and subject area (eg Citizenship) as well as “Type of Resource” (the developer).
BBC Newsround: EU Constitution
A KS3 Lesson plan explaining the EU Constitution, a brief history and the pros and cons
EU Economics – Videos for Teaching
This blog contains a collection of videos for teaching on EU topics, currently only three available but site owner states that further will be added when relevant.
Migration from the EU
An online CPD activity outlining background information and suggestions for learner activities around the subject of migration to the UK from the EU and the reasons for it.
Geography- The Language of Europe
A seven lesson module for KS3 that incorporates elements of modern foreign languages. The first lesson provides an overview of the European Union with the following six being case studies of individual EU countries, covering geographical themes.
Study about Europe
A site from the United States collating a wide range of study resources. While some are from a US perspective, most are more generic including overall introductions and more specific topic areas and would therefore be equally applicable to UK learners.
Teaching About the European Union
This is a further site from the US that collates a number of resources including lesson plans and activities, and access to a multimedia library of resources with short pieces of video.
Fact Sheets on the European Union
A series of short fact sheets on the European Union breaking the subject down into focused topic areas. These are currently available in 22 languages to download and can also be ordered in CD-Rom and book form.
The EU: Education Resources for Teachers and Sixth Formers
Collated summary of the resources developed as part of the EU Education Project for A-Level students with a brief introduction to the project itself.
Europack Teachers' Resource
A programme of study developed in the Republic of Ireland providing comprehensive coverage of the history, development ,institutions and culture of the European Union through a series of defined activities. This resource could either be used as a basis for an overarching programme, or for teachers to take extracts according to their specific needs and interests.
The European Parliament… What’s that?
A resource pack aimed at KS3 - KS4 learners covering an introduction to the EU, the role of the EU Parliament and MEPs and EU Law through a series of printed resources, film clips, sound files and activities.
The pack can be requested free of charge by email eplondon@europarl.europa.eu, by telephone on 020 7227 4300, by fax on 020 7227 4302, or in writing UK Office of the European Parliament, Europe House, 32 Smith Square, London SW1P 3EU.
European Commission: Publications
This page is the online order form for a list of free European Commission publications specifically aimed at educational institutions.
Books aimed at teachers...
The European Union- How does it work?
Elizabeth Bomberg, John Peterson, Richard Corbett
ISBN-10: 0199570809, ISBN-13: 978-0199570805. Third Edition.
An overview of the European Union including learning features and supported by a website with further activities.
The Community for Schools in Europe
This website allows schools to become members, twin with other schools in Europe and join or develop collaborative projects. Age ranges are specified by project and for new projects would depend on the objectives and the partners’ needs and preferences.
British Council: Comenius
Part of the EU Lifelong Learning programme, this is a funding programme providing opportunities for schools, colleges and local authorities to be involved in partnership activities, to increase knowledge of the diversity of cultures in Europe.
Education Stretching Borders
This network is focused on defining learning outcomes for students and a quality standard for schools focused on “European Competence”.
Help Age International: Solidarity between Generations
Information about a 2012 campaign to boost solidarity between the generations across Europe including a project where youth “Age Ambassadors” spent a week living with an older person and shared their experiences in blogs.
HeadsUp
An online forum for 11-18 year olds to debate the political issues they choose with young people up and down the country as well as MPs, Peers, MEPs etc. Background information is available for each topic as well as teachers notes.
The Institute of International European Affairs
The website of “Ireland’s leading thinktank on European and International Affairs”. With a wealth of information on recent research and thinking on key European topics, including blogs, video clips and downloadable publications.
European School Net
Homepage of a network of 30 European Ministries for Education, focused largely on how technology can be and is used to support education in Europe. Outlines key developments and research projects on the subject.
European Commission
The official YouTube channel; a diverse range of videos by the European Commission.
Europarl TV
The European Parliament’s web TV channel, providing access to short clips on “what’s happening now”.
BBC News: Inside Europe
The section of the BBC website providing updates on issues affecting Europe and the European Union.
The Parliament Education Service Website
An excellent source of information and resources produced by Parliament. It also provides further information on Parliamentary visits and outreach.
Parliament and Schools
The Hansard Society and Parliament’s Education Service have developed the Parliament and Schools pack to helps teachers, MPs, Lords and students to organise a successful school visit. Email them to order this free resource.
Big Ben and All That
Developed by the Hansard Society and the Association for Citizenship Teaching (ACT), this free resource gives teachers the inside scoop on what goes on in Westminster through interviews with MPs, Lords, and teachers as well as archived footage from Parliament. It's perfect for bolstering knowledge of the UK Parliament so teachers can approach the teaching of political literacy with real confidence.
Books for Additional Background InformationUnderstanding the European Union: A Concise Introduction (The European Series)
John McCormick
ISBN-10: 0230298834, ISBN-13: 978-0230298835. Fifth Edition.
A “plain English” guide to the European Union covering a range of topics and considering its successes failures and key choices for the future.
The Government and Politics of the European Union
Professor Neill Nugent
ISBN-10: 0230241182 , ISBN-13: 978-0230241183. Seventh Edition.
A factual overview of the key institutions of the European Union.
Schools for the Future of Europe: Values and Change Beyond Lisbon
John Sayer
ISBN-10: 1441165732 , ISBN-13: 978-1441165732. First Edition.
This book specifically looks at the development of EU education policy and would therefore be of interest to teachers who wish to develop more of an overview of changes in teaching and education across Europe.
Where specified, the age range has been noted but in most cases the resources could also be adapted to suit other ages or be used as a basis for development of further lesson plans and activities.
Given the dynamic nature of European Government and Politics, it is possible that some resources will become out of date so teachers are advised to consider this when selecting items to use, but again, in most cases minor adjustments would mean that these can still be used.
The final section contains a selection of resources that teachers or learners may wish to use for further information or to boost their knowledge outside the classroom.
The European Union
This pack on the European Union contains a useful summary for citizenship educators on the main points of history and purpose of a variety of European Institutions. It also contains activities to engage learners and raise their awareness of the European Union.
Impact of EU membership
Another lesson plan mapped to AQA Activity covering the impact of UK membership of the EU and designed to promote discussion among learners.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office - Mock EU debate
This photo slideshow of students taking part in a Mock EU debate in November 2010
European Parliament Office of the United Kingdom - Education
Directory of various resources categorised by various age ranges and details on how to arrange a visit to Europe House.
Europe in 12 Lessons- Pascal Fontaine
Downloadable pdf covering the history and structure of the EU and life as an EU citizen.
Europa Teachers’ Corner
This portal provides access to a wealth of teaching resources for all ages and are categorised by age.
Europa Kids' Corner
A portal containing a series of interactive games and quizzes to help children to understand and learn key facts about the European Union.
Teacher Network – European Union
51 resources developed by schools, partners and the Guardian. These can be filtered by age range, type of activity and subject area (eg Citizenship) as well as “Type of Resource” (the developer).
BBC Newsround: EU Constitution
A KS3 Lesson plan explaining the EU Constitution, a brief history and the pros and cons
EU Economics – Videos for Teaching
This blog contains a collection of videos for teaching on EU topics, currently only three available but site owner states that further will be added when relevant.
Migration from the EU
An online CPD activity outlining background information and suggestions for learner activities around the subject of migration to the UK from the EU and the reasons for it.
Geography- The Language of Europe
A seven lesson module for KS3 that incorporates elements of modern foreign languages. The first lesson provides an overview of the European Union with the following six being case studies of individual EU countries, covering geographical themes.
Study about Europe
A site from the United States collating a wide range of study resources. While some are from a US perspective, most are more generic including overall introductions and more specific topic areas and would therefore be equally applicable to UK learners.
Teaching About the European Union
This is a further site from the US that collates a number of resources including lesson plans and activities, and access to a multimedia library of resources with short pieces of video.
Fact Sheets on the European Union
A series of short fact sheets on the European Union breaking the subject down into focused topic areas. These are currently available in 22 languages to download and can also be ordered in CD-Rom and book form.
The EU: Education Resources for Teachers and Sixth Formers
Collated summary of the resources developed as part of the EU Education Project for A-Level students with a brief introduction to the project itself.
Europack Teachers' Resource
A programme of study developed in the Republic of Ireland providing comprehensive coverage of the history, development ,institutions and culture of the European Union through a series of defined activities. This resource could either be used as a basis for an overarching programme, or for teachers to take extracts according to their specific needs and interests.
The European Parliament… What’s that?
A resource pack aimed at KS3 - KS4 learners covering an introduction to the EU, the role of the EU Parliament and MEPs and EU Law through a series of printed resources, film clips, sound files and activities.
The pack can be requested free of charge by email eplondon@europarl.europa.eu, by telephone on 020 7227 4300, by fax on 020 7227 4302, or in writing UK Office of the European Parliament, Europe House, 32 Smith Square, London SW1P 3EU.
European Commission: Publications
This page is the online order form for a list of free European Commission publications specifically aimed at educational institutions.
Books aimed at teachers...
The European Union- How does it work?
Elizabeth Bomberg, John Peterson, Richard Corbett
ISBN-10: 0199570809, ISBN-13: 978-0199570805. Third Edition.
An overview of the European Union including learning features and supported by a website with further activities.
The Community for Schools in Europe
This website allows schools to become members, twin with other schools in Europe and join or develop collaborative projects. Age ranges are specified by project and for new projects would depend on the objectives and the partners’ needs and preferences.
British Council: Comenius
Part of the EU Lifelong Learning programme, this is a funding programme providing opportunities for schools, colleges and local authorities to be involved in partnership activities, to increase knowledge of the diversity of cultures in Europe.
Education Stretching Borders
This network is focused on defining learning outcomes for students and a quality standard for schools focused on “European Competence”.
Help Age International: Solidarity between Generations
Information about a 2012 campaign to boost solidarity between the generations across Europe including a project where youth “Age Ambassadors” spent a week living with an older person and shared their experiences in blogs.
HeadsUp
An online forum for 11-18 year olds to debate the political issues they choose with young people up and down the country as well as MPs, Peers, MEPs etc. Background information is available for each topic as well as teachers notes.
The Institute of International European Affairs
The website of “Ireland’s leading thinktank on European and International Affairs”. With a wealth of information on recent research and thinking on key European topics, including blogs, video clips and downloadable publications.
European School Net
Homepage of a network of 30 European Ministries for Education, focused largely on how technology can be and is used to support education in Europe. Outlines key developments and research projects on the subject.
European Commission
The official YouTube channel; a diverse range of videos by the European Commission.
Europarl TV
The European Parliament’s web TV channel, providing access to short clips on “what’s happening now”.
BBC News: Inside Europe
The section of the BBC website providing updates on issues affecting Europe and the European Union.
The Parliament Education Service Website
An excellent source of information and resources produced by Parliament. It also provides further information on Parliamentary visits and outreach.
Parliament and Schools
The Hansard Society and Parliament’s Education Service have developed the Parliament and Schools pack to helps teachers, MPs, Lords and students to organise a successful school visit. Email them to order this free resource.
Big Ben and All That
Developed by the Hansard Society and the Association for Citizenship Teaching (ACT), this free resource gives teachers the inside scoop on what goes on in Westminster through interviews with MPs, Lords, and teachers as well as archived footage from Parliament. It's perfect for bolstering knowledge of the UK Parliament so teachers can approach the teaching of political literacy with real confidence.
Books for Additional Background InformationUnderstanding the European Union: A Concise Introduction (The European Series)
John McCormick
ISBN-10: 0230298834, ISBN-13: 978-0230298835. Fifth Edition.
A “plain English” guide to the European Union covering a range of topics and considering its successes failures and key choices for the future.
The Government and Politics of the European Union
Professor Neill Nugent
ISBN-10: 0230241182 , ISBN-13: 978-0230241183. Seventh Edition.
A factual overview of the key institutions of the European Union.
Schools for the Future of Europe: Values and Change Beyond Lisbon
John Sayer
ISBN-10: 1441165732 , ISBN-13: 978-1441165732. First Edition.
This book specifically looks at the development of EU education policy and would therefore be of interest to teachers who wish to develop more of an overview of changes in teaching and education across Europe.