Internacionalização da educação superior e políticas linguísticas: uma análise de programas de pós-graduação da UTFPR

Abstract

This undergraduate thesis, presented as a requirement for completing the degree in Portuguese–English Language and Literature, analyzes the relationships between languages and the internationalization process of eight postgraduate programs (PPGs) at UTFPR. The study focuses on documentary analyses based on institutional websites, the Evaluation Forms of the PPGs available on the Sucupira Platform (2017–2020 evaluation cycle), and the Lattes curricula of the most productive faculty members. This selection sought to include the highest-rated PPGs at UTFPR as well as the two programs in the field to which this thesis is connected, Language and Literature. The aim was to identify which languages are used in the eight PPGs, in which activities these languages are employed, and what actions are promoted in favor of different languages within postgraduate education. The theoretical framework is based on the concepts of internationalization in Higher Education and language policies, understood as interdisciplinary and continuously evolving categories. The analysis of the PPG websites showed that internationalization and languages are strategically presented, with notable emphasis on CPGEI-CT, which provides detailed information on double-degree programs, sandwich doctorates, courses offered in other languages, and bilingual portals. Similarly, PPGL-PB is also noteworthy for its bilingual portal, a page dedicated to internationalization, and courses available in both English and Portuguese. The Sucupira Report and the CAPES Evaluation Forms indicate that internationalization has become a central evaluation criterion, although its explicit connection to language policies remains limited. Regarding the publications of the most productive researchers in the PPGs, English predominates. The demand for high levels of internationalization in institutional evaluations and the requirement of proficiency in different languages—especially English—highlight the linguistic centrality in this process. The relationship between languages and internationalization at UTFPR is marked by the predominance of English, while initiatives for linguistic plurality are emphasized in institutional documents, such as UTFPR’s Internationalization Policy and Language Policy, but remain incipient in practice.