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UNIFR Language Policy

A Brief History

1889 Foundation, bilingual administration, teaching in German, French, Latin

1980 Bilingual Diplomas: Law, Economics

1995 Revision of the bilingual diplomas

1997 Commission for bilingualism

2005 Written language policy

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• Administration completely bilingual

• Meetings (Faculties, Senate, Institutes, Departments) bilingual

• No translation during meetings

UNIFR Language Policy

Some Basic Facts(not included in the Language Policy)

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UNIFR Language Policy Bilingualism

The University of Fribourg

• offers the opportunity for studies in one of the two languages or bilingual studies

• promotes bilingualism in research and professional development(new professor for research in multilingualism from 2006)

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UNIFR Language PolicyOther Languages - English

The University of Fribourg

• in addition to courses offered in French and German there are also courses given in English

• English as an academic lingua franca

see the my colleague Iris Schaller-Schwaner’s presentation

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UNIFR Language PolicyEnglish

• On the Bachelor level there are occasional offers in English

• On the Master level we prepare Master degrees completely in English

(Faculty of Sciences 100%)(other Faculties special Masters)

Problem: the balance between bilingualism French-German and the importance of English!

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UNIFR Language Policy Bilingual Degrees

The university of Fribourg offers

certification of bilingual study(20%-40% in L2) A

a bilingual degree(>40% overall study requirements in L2) B

a degree ‘bilingue plus’ C

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Degree „Bilingue Degree „Bilingue plusplus““C

B+ courses in languages for specific purposes and culture

see my colleague Patricia Kohler’s presentation

UNIFR Language PolicyBilingue plus

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UNIFR Language Policy Models - Objectives

• Given that the students have covered part of the curriculum in a second language, they are deemed capable of understanding specialised texts in the other language. In addition, they have some cultural grounding in the two languages.

A

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UNIFR Language Policy Models - Objectives

• … are capable of understanding complex texts (oral and written) and can discuss specific issues in the second language, as they have covered a large part of the syllabus in the second language. In addition, they have gained an insight into both academic and general culture in the two languages.

B

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UNIFR Language Policy Models - Objectives

• Students who have obtained this degree have acquired a high level of linguistic competence and deepened their cultural knowledge, allowing them to work in the two languages.

C

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UNIFR Language Policy Advice concept

Students can at the beginning and during their studies

• have an assessment of their language level

• realize language projects: suggestions, planning, learning contract, logbook: continuous evaluation

• obtain certification with ECTS

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UNIFR Language Policy Support

The University of Fribourg has

a commission for bilingualism

• advises the Rector• makes suggestions to promote bilingualism• supports the Rector / the Faculties• …

representatives for bilingualism from each Faculty

• information about Faculty specifications• …

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UNIFR Language Policy The European Language

Portfolio• Provides the basic framework for

learning in the Language Centre.

• It offers descriptors of levels and skills with clear comparisons across languages.

• These descriptors can be used both in preparing study plans with students and for autonomous learning, in addition to (self-) assessment of language skills.

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• More than one language in the administration?

• Meetings with two and more languages?• Concept of bi-/multilingual studies?• Bi-/Multilingual degrees with defined

objectives?• Supporting measures – Language Centre?• Official body to promote

Bi-/Multilingualism (Commission)

Language PolicyGeneral Rules

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UNIFR Language Policy

Thank you for your attention!

Merci pour votre attention !

Danke für Ihre Aufmerksamkeit!