Internationalization and management of linguistic diversity in higher education (HE) have become extremely important and have gained much attention the last years (Darquennes, Du Plessis & Soler, 2020). Internationalization policies in HE aim at promoting the dual role of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs); civilization and competitiveness (Martyniuk, 2012). When it comes to the European Union context, the European Education Area initiative aims at “inclusive national education and training systems” through networking and exchange between HEIs. However, the use of English as a ‘lingua academica’ in the place of the official, national, and regional/minority languages, raises questions regarding linguistic rights and the construction of identity. The above issues were touched upon through interviews with lecturing staff and focus group discussions with bachelor students at the University of Luxembourg. Data shows that linguistic diversity at this University is seen as an asset but comes with challenges for both professors and students. Additionally, the poster investigates how the presence of various languages influences the construction of individual and collective identities within the academic community. The poster aims to contribute with valuable insights to the broader discourse on language diversity in higher education settings.

Authors:
Argyro Maria Skourmalla, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg

About the Presenter(s)
Argyro-Maria Skourmalla is a doctoral student. The research project is about challenges and opportunities in regards to linguistic diversity in teaching and in learning at the University of Luxembourg.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

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