! where numerically smaller minorities are concerned or those who do not enjoy the support of a kin-state and do not have their own financial means to set up educational institutions) Article 14 [cross-reference with articles 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 15 ] 1 The Parties undertake to recognise that every person belonging to a national minority has the right to learn his or her minority language. 2 In areas inhabited by persons belonging to national minorities traditionally or in substantial numbers, if there is sufficient demand, the Parties shall endeavour to ensure, as far as possible and within the framework of their education systems, that persons belonging to those minorities have adequate opportunities for being taught the minority language or for receiving instruction in this language. 3 Paragraph 2 of this article shall be implemented without prejudice to the learning of the official language or the teaching in this language. 1. Recognition of the right of persons belonging to a national minority to learn their minority language Legal guarantees of the right to learn the minority language 2. Implementation of the right of persons belonging to a national minority to learn their minority language or to receive instruction in this language Measures taken to specify the conditions required for implementation of the aforementioned right: - - identification of "areas inhabited by persons belonging to national minorities traditionally or in substantial numbers" (thresholds) evaluation of language needs and "sufficient demand": ! availability of accurate statistical information on national minorities ! the need for flexibility (in terms of geographical coverage and numerical thresholds) to respond to specific situations the needs of numerically small and dispersed minorities the need for increased support for the learning of certain minority languages (e.g. Roma language: specific difficulties) responsibility of the decision-making on opening/closing classes/schools and providing learning of/in minority languages: ! local and regional authorities role ! parents participation/consultation in decision-making processes Concrete modalities chosen and their practical implementation : - scope and the volume of the teaching in/of minority languages (not mutually exclusive) ! levels of education and numbers of hours ! public school system/informal teaching of/in minority languages - compulsory/optional nature of the teaching of in minority language (when optional, whether integrated or not in regular school curriculum and how) 35