The Terminology: a tool for pedagogical innovation in the european higher education

Abstract

This article presents some reflections on the importance of Terminology as a theoretical framework, methodological tool and a vital resource in specialized multilingual training in the teaching of Applied Languages in Higher Education with a particular focus on the French High Education System. If we take into account the linguistic policy for the construction of the European Higher Education Area and the various contributions that Terminology has made since the 20th century not only to the specialized communication system, to the intelligent computer systems, but also to several professions (linguistic and cultural mediators, translators) and new needs (multilingualism and interculturality), we can see that the teaching (both theoretical and practical) of Terminology in university courses is becoming an essential element. The knowledge society cannot be achieved without terminological competence acquisition, which is traditionally manifested by the use of terminologies and specialized discourses in a variety of situations and in different contexts of communicative production/reception.