Melanie Franke and Andreas Hilger, both from the University of Regensburg, Germany, visited the Faculty of Economics and Business at the University of the Basque Country from 4 to 8 May 2026.

During their stay, Franke and Hilger delivered guest lectures for Bachelor students in language classes on the role of language in international corporations. The sessions addressed how language shapes communication, participation, power relations, and knowledge transfer in multinational companies. Particular attention was given to common corporate languages, language barriers, language-based clusters, and informal shadow and ghost structures that may emerge in multilingual organizations.

They encouraged students to reflect on their own experiences with foreign languages, multilingual teamwork, and the challenges of using English or other languages in academic and professional contexts. They also discussed the practical use cases and strategic value of different languages for study, work, and international mobility. English was presented as a key language for business, higher education, and digital communication, while the combination of Spanish and English was highlighted as particularly valuable for employability and mobility. The discussion also covered the relevance of further languages, including German for industry, engineering, and business in the DACH region.

Alongside the teaching activities, Andreas Hilger and Melanie Franke held an in-depth exchange with members of the Faculty of Economics and Business, especially Marta Kopinska and Gurutze Intxaurburu, on the current exchange programmes between the University of the Basque Country and the universities in Regensburg, as well as on students’ labour market integration in Germany.

The visit strengthened the academic connection between the two institutions and opened up further opportunities for cooperation in teaching, student mobility, and international exchange."