The proposed paper reports on the outcome of two EU funded research projects on Language Teacher Education. The projects analysed examples of innovation and best practice across Europe. One of the outcomes of this work was the formulation of a European Profile for Language Teacher Education. The Profile lists the essential key elements for language teacher education.The paper gives the background to the projects as well as their main findings. There is reference to the methodological approach employed; in particular, the process of cross-European consultative which was undertaken in conducting the research. This coverage is set within a theoretical and policy orientated discussion of the projects and their outcomes. The paper sets out the context to the Profile in terms of the historical background to language teacher education in Europe and its salient theoretical traditions and models. It describes examples of the 'state-of-the-art of European language teacher education in terms of recent trends of innovation and best practice. It also describes the concept of the 'European Language Teacher'; who are they, their background, what knowledge and experience they possess and how they should be trained and supported in their professional development?The European Profile for Language Teacher Education will then be presented. It will be set out in table form and together with selected annotation. A theoretical framework will be provided to shape the Profile, and issues of content, organisation and values of European Language Teacher Education will be addressed. The Profile will be connected with other EU documents in language teaching and learning; such as the European Portfolio and the 'Common European Framework of reference: Learning, Teaching and Assessment' (C.U.P.: 2001). A selection of elements within the Profile will be considered in detail. This discussion contains in-depth explication of the issues involved in particular elements, together with exemplification based on actual case studies carried out in Europe. The paper will then look at the rationale for the elements included, their theoretical justification and practical implementation. It also discusses how such practice in teacher education has relevance at a pan-European level. There will then be reference to coverage of a framework on self-assessment based on the European Portfolio for Language Teacher Education. Finally, there is a wide-ranging discussion the associated factors involved in putting the Profile into practice. This involves addressing such issues as the networking of IT institutions; the use of ICT; INSET; support mechanism; and networking. The paper will be offered as an example of a collaborative project in Europe. It will draw out implications for teacher training at both pre-service and in-service level, and for teacher education generally - not just that of language teachers. It will also make reference to the weaknesses and strengths of this type of research and its likely effects on European policy.