Language policies of education and international spread in contemporary Spain: a national cultural interest perspective

Abstract

The significance of national cultural interests is highly emphasized within the international community, prompting increased focus on language policies related to international education and dissemination as essential tools for safeguarding these interests. Such policies are intricately connected not only to cultural transmission and national identity but also to cultural security and the enhancement of soft power. This paper examines language policy in education and international dissemination in contemporary Spain, providing an analysis of national education laws and associated language policies, as well as the coherence and autonomy between national and regional policies, illustrated through examples of the four language models and policies in Catalonia. Additionally, it explores the challenges these policies encounter concerning national cultural interests and evaluates the practices of international dissemination of the Spanish language and their implications for these interests.

Keywords: Linguistic education policy, Spanish, National cultural interest, Soft power, International spread.