ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the extent to which Brazilian foreign language policies align with the concept of plurilingualism. Plurilingualism facilitates openness to learning new languages and cultures beyond the target language, as well as the development of cultural empathy. However, despite support from policies, practical application remains a challenge. The Common European Framework of Reference considers plurilingualism, which fosters linguistic and cultural diversity, to be an essential component of language learning; similarly, Brazilian language policies value linguistic and cultural pluralism in foreign language education. A main issue is that even if plurilingualism is encouraged in English as a foreign language (EFL) education in Brazil, some students might have monolingual orientations and demand that only English be used. Participants reported that many of their students had previous knowledge of other languages and cultures due to travel, personal heritage, or other language courses taken in the same university program; thus, building on this repertoire was highly valued.
