Multilingual universities: Policies and practices

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to examine European higher education from the perspective of language use, that is, in view of the multilingual reconfiguration currently affecting universities in EU countries. In the first section recent developments of EU language policies are illustrated, and the notion of ‘functional multilingualism’, which informs such policies, is discussed against the background of societal, political and economic changes, determining a reconsideration of linguistic needs in Europe. The second section is devoted to the analysis of communicative practices in multilingual universities, in particular at the trilingual Free University of Bozen-Bolzano in Italy. Different ways of handling linguistic diversity in the classroom are examined, showing how the use of more languages in teacher-student interaction cannot only enhance learning processes and participation but can also prepare professionals who can successfully act in a multilingual, multicultural Europe. The chapter, in its final form, is the result of a collaboration between the two authors. Daniela Veronesi is directly responsible for Sects. 5.2 and 5.2.1.