Research Seminar Critiques CEFR: Democratizing Languages or Uniforming Learners?

The University of Andorra's International Doctoral School hosted a research seminar on Friday as part of its "Research Nuggets" series, featuring doctoral candidate Laura Navarro from the University of Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC).

Navarro presented her study titled "The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Democratizing Language Teaching or Uniforming the Learner?" The work offers a critical analysis of the framework's (CEFR) impact on language instruction and citizenship training across Europe.

Her research spotlights a core paradox: the CEFR's institutional discourse from the Council of Europe emphasizes humanistic goals, including plurilingual and intercultural education alongside democratic citizenship. Concepts like "education for democratic citizenship" and "plurilingual and intercultural education" frame values such as multilingualism, interculturalism, and democracy to give the framework a progressive appearance.

Yet Navarro argues that its structure—relying on proficiency levels from A1 to C2 and measurable competencies—often standardizes learners, turning them into assessed individuals rather than fostering genuine democratic development. The presentation raises questions about whether the CEFR truly advances democratic education or instead homogenizes teaching practices.

Held in Andorra la Vella, the 30-minute session aims to bridge academic research with the public. The "Research Nuggets" initiative highlights studies conducted in or from Andorra, including UdA research groups and external researchers, to promote innovative projects with societal relevance and make science accessible to broad audiences.