Language and internationalization in Brazilian Higher Education: From policy to practice

Abstract

Internationalization (in general) and Englishization (in particular) are processes currently at work in a number of Brazilian universities. This article provides an account of ethnographic research into language policy processes unfolding in one federal university. Firstly, an analysis of the university’s internationalization plan is presented. This documentary analysis is then accompanied by an interpretation of the perspectives of key social actors on how the policy has been implemented in their context. I conclude by highlighting the need for there to be wider engagement between senior management teams and university personnel on different scales relating to the development and implementation of internationalization plans.