Editorial: Why the French language is getting less popular at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): A Case Study at Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP)

Abstract

Two known sayings about foreign languages have inspired university students to improve their wisdom and thought. While Roger Bacon said, “Knowledge of languages is the doorway to wisdom.”, Karl Albrecht posited, “Change your language, and you change your thoughts.” It is an obvious truth that a foreign language is an essential tool for communication and information in the age of globalization. Meanwhile, Gibney (2013) reveals that internationalization is recognized by global HEIs as resulting in growth of broader and deeper institutions. Foreign languages, such as English and French, are the bridges for students to international communication. According to Green et al. (2012), English has become widely used as a teaching language at universities worldwide. But, other than English, French is the only language that is used at universities in every country in the world.