Linguistic Diversity, Interculturality and European Identity (Aurora BIP)
About this BIP
The course focuses on exchanging the best practices of the resource focused ideas and approaches in relation to plurilingual teaching and learning agendas in higher education. The aim is to foster the development of a European cultural identity based on the plurality of cultures. In doing so, we put forward a view of language plurality and linguistic diversity as assets for universities, staff, students and society.
Dates and location
The on-site component of this BIP will take place in Campus Catalunya (Tarragona) from the 20th to the 24th of April, 2026.
This BIP is for students. This includes upper undergraduate students, master’s and PhD. It will mainly be taught in English, so we recommend having at least a B2 English level, even though other languages might be present as well.
The programme is open to students from all Aurora partner universities; however, priority will be given to applicants from the organising institutions (UNINA, UIBK, UPOL and URV).
CHECK THE AURORA BIP POSTER HERE
General requirements:
Your university has to nominate you via Erasmus+ mobility procedures. Sending institutions can select their students based on the stated pre-requisites and following their own internal selection procedures before nominating them by the nomination deadline.
Further instructions will be sent by email to the selected students after reviewing nominations. URV asks that the students be supported with an Erasmus+ grant or an Erasmus+ zero grant and be registered in the Beneficiary Module. For further details see "Mobility Procedures" below.
Information about the online component
13th- 17th April 2026
3 online sessions at 16:00h CET
- Intercultural competence: Markus Öbrink (Palacký University, the Czech Republic)
With the aim of helping the participants to learn how to work effectively in an intercultural environment and how to use diversity as a tool to improve the output of their work, the concept of Intercultural Communication will be discussed from several different viewpoints, based on the three components: attitudes, skills and knowledge.
- From multilingualism to plurilingualism (theories and applications): Ulrike Jessner-Schmid (Innsbruck University, Austria) and Lídia Gallego Balsà (Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain)
In this seminar the concepts of multi- and plurilingualism will be addressed with a focus on individual, social and educational dimensions of the phenomena that have been discussed in interdisciplinary approaches stemming from several fields, such as psychology, sociology, ethnology, (applied) linguistics and education.
- Linguistic diversity and European Identity: Alessandro Arienzo (University of Naples Federico II, Italy)
This seminar will explore how the acquisition of European identity is based on the development of plurilingual competence so Europeans can interact with members of other states. Also, the participants will reflect upon their own linguistic diversity and the values they ascribe to it.
Information about the on-site component
The aim of the seminar will be on linking the content of the three online seminars in discussion rounds and presentations held by the students. Students will work both individually and in groups. English will be the main lingua franca of communication but other languages will also play a role in consonance with the plurilingual and intercultural nature of the programme.
