Language Study: A Necessary Part of the Internationalized Curriculum

Abstract

In an urgent effort to internationalize curricula, institutions of higher education are rethinking the role of language study. Many administrators, faculty, and staff are realizing that language study is more than merely a means of communication. More importantly, it is the key to understanding how people from diverse cultural backgrounds, especially those who are engaged in our academic institutions, interpret their cultural experiences. Three important questions will be discussed in this paper: (1) If we accept the idea that curriculum reforms should mirror the changing world, then what curricular changes are needed to promote internationalization?, (2) What role does language study play in this reformed curriculum?, and (3) If we accept a new definition of knowledge as having a language and cultural component, then how can we better prepare our students to gain multilingual and multicultural competence?

Are Filipino Higher Education Students Getting Global? An Exploratory Study of a Private Higher Education in Batangas City, Philippines

“…Authors agree on the necessity to prepare students in a global perspective. This includes work preparation in different countries (MacCleoud, 2018) and sensitivity and adaptability to the cultures of different countries (Spitzer & Cordero-Ramon, 2013). As supported by Jawabri (2017) that positive work environment, personal traits, and developed new skills have positive impact on internship experience, colleges and universities are more likely to engage in international internship programs.…”

“…Other important skills for them include self-direction skills, global connections, local connections and using technology as a learning tool. WhereasSpitzer, L. & Cordero-Ramon, A. (2013)…”