Proficiência em inglês no processo de internacionalização das Universidades brasileiras: análise de resultados parciais de ações do Programa Idiomas Sem Fronteiras

Abstract

This postdoctoral internship work aims to verify the history of implementation and execution of actions of the Languages Without Borders Program – ISF regarding its structure supported by TOEFL ITP (paper-based) Proficiency Tests at national and local levels from 2013 to 2015. The large-scale and massive application of tests is noteworthy due to their dimensions and reach, attributed to their free availability. Some data emerged from the testing units, prompting the need for an investigation into certain aspects of proficiency tests in general and the TOEFL ITP test in particular, as they were used by most Brazilian public and private universities participating in the program. The research objectives were: the concept of linguistic proficiency itself and how it was developed; the use of this concept and its levels of gradation in teaching-learning, didactic materials, and language courses like those offered by the ISF Program; and finally, its use as an element of linguistic evaluation and a crucial policy mechanism in the design and implementation of the ISF, as well as in maintaining its actions for the Brazilian academic community during the process of globalization and internationalization of national universities. In the first chapter, the contextualization of globalization and internationalization is presented to enable reflections on educational policies in education and internationalization. Then, chapter two presents the conceptualizations of linguistic proficiency and the Common Framework of Reference (CFR), considering it as a parameter and paradigm for proficiency levels in foreign languages. The third chapter is dedicated to a critical analysis of the documents that underpin the ISF and the use of TOEFL ITP tests in the ISF Program. Some data from the application of these tests at UFGD from 2013 to 2015 are presented. The fourth chapter discusses the use of test results as a gatekeeping mechanism and maintenance of updated power structures in public language policies like the ISF. In the final considerations and concluding chapter, reflections on the pros and cons of using tests like the TOEFL ITP are made.