The Plan of Action
for Multilingualism at
Pompeu Fabra University:
implementation, action, results
Mireia Trenchs, Vicerector for Teaching and Academic Planning
Mireia Calm, Multilingualism Coordinator
In 2007 Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) approved its first Plan of Action for Multilingualism (PAM), to cater for the University’s need of a
consistent language policy that would cover all aspects of academic life. The Plan has enabled UPF to consolidate and renew its language
policy, to gain international outreach for Catalan as the University’s official language, to reinforce the role of English as a third language
for all Bachelor’s students, and to promote Spanish as both an academic language for national students and a language of interest for UPF’s
growing numbers of international students.
This poster presents the actions undertaken under the PAM framework, and includes information related to the tests implemented to diagnose
or certify language proficiency, to the languages of instruction in UPF degrees, and to the languages used in doctoral dissertations.
LANGUAGE DIAGNOSTIC AND
PROFICIENCY CERTIFICATION TESTS
The PDL (Language Diagnostic Test) gauges firstyear bachelor’s degree students’ English language
skills against level B2 of the CEFR.
LANGUAGES OF INSTRUCTION
IN BACHELOR’S DEGREES
2009-2010
2010-2011
59.54%
30%
25%
20%
2010-2011
57.38%
35.95% 29.54%
33.52% 34.46%
34.75%
35%
2009-2010
2010-2011
2011-2012
2012-2013
2009-2010
7.84%
5.43%
34.34%
PDL Results by Proficieny Level
LANGUAGES OF INSTRUCTION
IN OFFICIAL MASTER’S DEGREES
2011-2012
2012-2013
12.61%
Catalan
Spanish
English
25.94%
30.20%
2011-2012
2012-2013
Catalan
Spanish
English
13%
55.81%
30%
31.51%
57%
15%
39.26% 34.81%
37.32%
32.87%
29.81%
25.93%
10%
5%
Degrees taught totally or partially in English
0%
A1
A2
B1
B2.1
B2.2
C1.1
C1.2
C2
The PCCL (Certificate of Language Competence
Test) certifies students’ level of English (B1, B2 or
C1). Success in the PCCL makes students eligible
for UPF’s Multilingualism Award.
TOTAL NUMBER OF CREDITS: 240 ECTS CREDITS
16
COMPULSORY
CREDITS
OR LESS
PCCL Results by Proficiency Level
60%
MORE
THAN 16
COMPULSORY
CREDITS
50%
40%
2012-2013
2011-2012
2010-2011
2009-2010
30%
20%
Political and Administration Sciences
Biomedical Engineering
Journalism
Labour Relations
Medicine
Audiovisual Communication
Criminology
Advertising and Public Relations
Humanities
Audiovisual Telecommunication Systems Engineering
Human Biology
Applied Languages
Computer Science
Telematics Engineering
Law
Management
Translation and Interpretation
Business Economics
LANGUAGES USED
IN PhD DISSERTATIONS
2009-2010
2010-2011
7%
60%
10%
22%
33%
68%
2011-2012
2012-2013
1%
15%
7%
68%
24%
62%
Catalan
Spanish
English
French
23%
100% OF
IBE
COMPULSORY CREDITS
10%
0%
B1
B2
C1
More students with
B2 level in English
Year to year, more English as
a medium of instruction
in Bachelor’s courses
Gradual increase in the presence
of English: from 13% in BA classes,
to 37% in MA degrees, up to
62% in dissertations
About 500 language tandems a year as part of the Language Volunteering programme.
Information on languages of instruction provided for 100% of subjects.
Language training provided annually for 19.8% of the UPF community: Catalan for 419
students, Spanish for 983, English for 1,387, and 207 students took German, Arabic,
French, Italian, Chinese or Russian.
Contact:
Over 200 members of administrative and service staff have taken part in UPF’s English
Language Training Plan.
15 Multilingualism Awards a year for UPF students who successfully complete the PCCL.
The UPF units and services involved in all these actions are: Language Office, Academic Management Service and Faculty
Secretaries, Language Training Programme, Staff Administration Section and Centre for Teaching Quality and Innovation.
www.upf.edu/multilinguisme