# Mandatory national language requirements in higher education

## TL;DR

This paper discusses the impact of mandatory language requirements for foreign academics in higher education.

## Contribution

It highlights the benefits of learning the host country's language for academic staff.

## Key findings

- Mandatory language requirements can hinder internationalisation in academia.
- Learning the host country's language offers significant benefits for foreign academic staff.
- Such policies are often implemented for inappropriate reasons.

## Abstract

Some countries try to curb internationalisation in academia or require that foreign scientists take language courses. While this is done for the wrong reasons, learning the language of the host country has great benefits for academic staff.