The URV wants to increase the use of Catalan in university teaching so that it becomes the normal language of instruction, especially in bachelor's and master's degree programmes.
This objective is included in the URV's Language Policy Plan for 2023-2026 (sub-objective 2.1) and in the Plan to Strengthen Catalan in the University and Research System of Catalonia (axis 1). For this reason, the URV has drawn up the Plan to Increase Teaching in Catalan (PIDOC), in line with a joint initiative by the university system.
Linguistic transparency and security
Catalan universities are committed to the following principles/rights:
- Linguistic transparency: students must be told in advance which language will be used to teach the course that they are registering for.
- Language security: teaching staff must use the language of instruction stated in the course guide
At the URV, we work to provide this information in full in the teaching and group guides for each course and to ensure that the stated language is used. A specific channel is provided for members of the university community who may have queries and complaints about language use and rights.
The stated language of instruction will also be used in the course teaching materials and for exam questions, although students can answer exam questions and submit their work in either Catalan or Spanish (or in another language if the course so provides).
Language accreditation for academic staff
In accordance with the legal framework, all academic staff must provide proof that they have a sufficient level of Catalan.
Academic staff can demonstrate this level is they obtain and present the URV’s certificate that accredits a command of Catalan equivalent to level C1 on the Common European Framework of Reference or by presenting any other official certificate on the list of certificates equivalent to C1 (including the certificate showing that they have completed their secondary education in the medium of Catalan). The Language and Publications Service offers preparatory courses and exams for this and other levels each semester.
Resources for academic staff
The URV provides resources for teaching staff to help them teach in Catalan:
- Language use and rights:
- Consultations on language use and rights
- Guide to the language of instruction at the URV
- Training and accreditation:
- General Catalan courses at all levels
- Oral Catalan tutorials for academic staff
- Exam sessions to officially accredit Catalan language proficiency
- Linguistic assistance:
- Service for correcting and translating teaching materials in Catalan
- Resources for linguistic autonomy