Journal Article

Language policies in the context of German higher education

Hilgendorf, Suzanne K., Erling, Elizabeth J.

2006

Overview

This paper analyzes the growing impact of English in German higher education. The analysis addresses the issues of higher education policy and practice, focusing on the discrepancies across these areas with respect to English use. The first part of the paper examines policy initiatives on the European Union (EU), federal, and institutional levels that reveal the lack of an explicit language policy. This is contrasted with an analysis of administrative measures that in fact are paving the way for the expanded functional range for English, such as the establishment of new degree programs specifically designated as auslandsorientiert or internationally oriented. The examination includes a closer look at the impact of English at one German institution, the Freie Universität Berlin (FUB). Finally, the paper addresses some of the political, financial and educational issues to be considered as a consequence of the expanding role of English in higher education.

• Publisher: Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: College Students / Communication (Thought Transfer) / Curriculum Planning / Discrepancies / Education policy / Educational Change / English as a Second Language Instruction / English language / Enrollment / Experimental Colleges / Germany / Global Approach / Globalization / Higher Education / Language of Instruction / Language Planning / Language Policy / Language Usage / Politics / School Policy / Second Languages