The Academic Cooperation Association seminar “Better taught in English? Institutional language strategies in European higher education” is to be held at the Club de la Fondation Universitaire / Universitaire Stichting in Brussels on 4 December 2009.
English-medium tuition in European higher education, i.e. courses that are fully or partially imparted in English in countries where English is not the domestic language, is on the rise all over continental Europe. But what are the factors that have shaped and will shape the language policies of European institutions? Is it mainly the race for foreign students? The concept of the internationalisation of higher education might only be part of the answer. Obviously, institutions strive to prepare students for their professional future. But in how far do the linguistic and cultural skills of graduates match labour market needs? And are institutional language policies not bound to clash with EU policies promoting diversity and multilingualism?
These issues will be discussed with high-level experts from academia and business. Wolfgang Mackiewicz, President of the CEL/ELC, will speak on “Institutional language strategies: a balancing act between the internationalisation of higher education, national and EU policies, and labour market expectations?”
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