Intercomprehension: strengths and opportunities of a pluralistic approach

In the present chapter, we focus on examining intercomprehension, one of the four pluralistic approaches described in the Framework of Reference for Pluralistic Approaches to Languages and Cultures (FREPA, 2007). After a first look at the definitions and historical evolutions of this approach, from its usage to its theorisation, we will describe its developments in European and international projects concerning in particular Romance Languages, and examine the ways in which this new approach can be integrated in curricula. By observing its metalinguistic implications, we will see, with examples taken from the journals of the students who attended intercomprehension classes at Lyon 2 University, how this approach can offer a new path to language learning for students who have difficulty using standard “monolingual” approaches.