Complaints about language use
- How can I make a complaint about language use at the University?
- Are the complaints anonymous?
- How are complaints about language use dealt with?
Languages at the University
- In which language are classess taught at the URV?
- In which languages are exams done at the URV?
- As a student, do I have the right to ask for the class to be taught in a different language?
- What is language transparency?
- And what is the principle of language security?
- As a student, what languages do I have a right to use at the University?
Language policy
- What is the URV’s language policy?
- How is this language policy put into practice?
- What bodies are involved?
- What is the functional distribution of languages?
Learning Catalan
- Are there any Catalan courses for the university community?
- Can you learn Catalan before coming to Catalonia?
Learning languages
- Can I learn languages at the URV?
- Do I have to accredit a particular level of English to graduate?
- Do I have to do a level test in English at the beginning of my degree programme?
- Does the URV subsidise English, French or Italian courses?
How can I make a complaint about language use to the University?
You can contact the URV’s Language Policy Committee by sending the form "Questions, complaints and proposals about language use and rights at the URV".
Yes, the URV’s Language Policy Committee guarantees the anonymity of the people who lodge a complaint.
How are complaints about language use dealt with?
The Language Policy Committee collects all the information from the parties involved and takes the necessary action to resolve the complaint. What is more, it will make any changes necessary to improve how the University functions in this respect.
In which languages are classes taught at the URV?
At the URV classes are taught in Catalan, Spanish and English (see the percentages here). According to the URV Statute and the Language Policy Law of the Catalan Parliament, Catalan is the language of normal use in university teaching. Even so, lecturers and students have the right to express themselves in the official language they prefer (Catalan or Spanish).
In which language are exams done at the URV?
The instructions for exams and other assessment activities (oral and written) are in the language the subject or class group are taught, notified at the time of registration. Students can answer exams and hand in essays and other tasks for assessment in Catalan or Spanish (or in other languages if the subject uses them).
As a student, do I have the right to ask for the class to be taught in a different language?
No. In compliance with the principles of language transparency and security, the language of instruction is announced in the course guide and cannot be changed subsequently.
What is language transparency?
It is the principle accepted by the Catalan universities by which students are informed of the language of instruction of a particular subject before they decide to enrol.
And what is the principle of language security?
It is the commitment of the Catalan universities to respect the language of instruction announced for a subject to guarantee the language rights of the members of the university community.
As a student, what languages do I have a right to use at the University?
According to the Language Policy Law, you have the right to use both Catalan and Spanish when participating in the classroom, doing essays or answering exams, regardless of the language in which the subject is taught.
What is the URV’s language policy?
The URV’s objectives are, on the one hand, to advance towards the normal and preferential use of Catalan as the language of the University and, on the other, encourage the plurilingualism of university members and promote multilingualism. These objectives are aligned with those of the rest of the Catalan university system.
How is this language policy put into practice?
By implementing pluriannual language policy plans, which describe the actions to be taken to attain these two objectives, approved by the URV’s Governing Council.
The governing bodies of the URV are responsible for university language policy. The University has two specific entities in this area: the Language Policy Committee (a representative body) and the Language and Publications Service (a technical body). Llengües URV is the URV’s language portal, which brings together the information from these two bodies.
What is the functional distribution of languages?
It is a strategy of university language policy for combining the promotion of Catalan with multilingualism: on the one hand, it ensures the prevalence of Catalan and guarantees that it is the major language in some areas and, on the other, it reserves other areas of use for multilingualism and the objectives of internationalisation. The URV Senate passed the Framework document for the functional distribution of languages (in Catalan).
Are there any Catalan courses for the university community?
Yes, the URV's Language and Publications Service teaches Catalan courses at various levels and in different formats every semester (and also in the summer). There are courses for beginners (A1 and A2) and also for more advanced learners (from B1 to C2). In all cases, you can earn an official certificate that accredits your language level.
Can you learn Catalan before coming to Catalonia?
Yes, there are resources for learning Catalan independently before you arrive. We particularly recommend the websites Parla.cat and Intercat.
Can I learn languages at the URV?
Yes. The URV’s Language and Publications Service teaches courses in English, French and Italian at various levels and in different formats (annual and intensive courses in the summer). English courses range from A2 to C1, while French and Italian courses range from A1 to B1.
Do I have to accredit a particular level of English to graduate?
No. The URV recommends that you study English and other languages to give a positive start to your academic and professional career. But it is not a requirement for graduation.
Do I have to do a level test in English at the beginning of my degree programme?
Yes. As stipulated by the URV’s Plan for Promoting Language Learning, all new students must do a level test in English, even if they already have a certificate accrediting their level.
Does the URV subsidise English, French or Italian courses?
For URV undergraduate students, the Language and Publications Service courses are very economic. And if you pass the course, you can apply for an AGAUR grant of €350, which covers almost the full cost of the course.