Stephan Breidbach

European Communicative Integration: The Function of Foreign Language Teaching for the Development of a European Public Sphere

The paradox of support for diversity and the drive for integration is one that is evident in the development of nation states and in the emergence of a new European space. The role played by language teaching in both historical phases is one that has to accept this general paradox, and in particular the relationship between language and identity. At a European level the wide use of English points towards increasing linguistic unity whereas multilingual education is promoted to support diversity. It is argued here that competence in English and complex, plurilingual competence are cornerstones for further European integration and the development of a European identity. A model of democratic participation dependent on diverse linguistic competences at different levels of democracy would provide the basis for communicative integration which is fundamental to the European project.