University education in Europe is given in a limited number of official national languages. In countries with a federal structure, or regional autonomy, it is given in the regional language. In addition there are universities that teach in a language from outside the nation/region: in most cases in English. (German-language higher education in eastern Europe, for instance, disappeared after 1945). Similarly, within each university, if a course is given in a non-national language, that is almost always English. Universities in England are the only fully monolingual universities in Europe. (British universities in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are partly bilingual). In the EU, language is an area reserved to national policy, although some minority languages are protected by European and international instruments. There is no legal status anywhere, for multilingualism as such.
Issues:
Should multilingualism be enforced as a goal in itself? Should entirely monolingual higher education be effectively forbidden (or left to the private sector)? Should all European languages be given the protected status, given to some minority languages? Should courses offered in one language be given in parallel, in other languages? Should all courses be given in a fixed minimum of languages? Should international courses especially, be multilingual, or available in parallel versions? Should there be a maximum on the share of English-language courses? Should visiting staff be required to speak a minimum of European languages?