The English Language as a Means of Communication in Europe: Perceptions of English as a European Lingua Franca among Erasmus Students in CyprusKacafura, Kaja (Avtor) Sicherl, Eva (Mentor) English as a Lingua Franca (ELF)Erasmus studentsperceptionsmultilingualismEuropean Unioncommunicationethno-linguistic backgroundThis master's thesis examines the perceptions of Erasmus students in Cyprus regarding English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) within a multilingual social European (EU) context. Within this context, the ELF phenomenon is identified as the use of English as a means of communication among speakers with different mother tongues. A big proportion of these speakers are young European students participating in the Erasmus+ programme, which is why such a community in Cyprus served as the population for this study’s research sample. Through a mixed-methods research approach involving both interviews and questionnaires, this thesis investigates how Erasmus students view the role of ELF as a means of communication in European international, social, multilingual settings, whether they view ELF as an effective means of communication in real-life interactions, and whether their national and personal perceptions vary across ethno-linguistic groups (Germanic, Slavic, Romance). The findings demonstrate that Erasmus students involved in this study generally perceive ELF as a practical and effective means of communication, in which they prioritise intelligibility, adaptability, and linguistic confidence over native-like proficiency and fluency. They also warn that the spread of the English language is not without risk of overshadowing and endangering native and regional languages in the EU. While differences in national and personal attitudes towards ELF and its spread exist, all participants recognise ELF’s functional role in enabling successful intercultural interactions yet they also acknowledge concerns associated with its spread. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of a young and educated generation’s views on ELF as they participate in multilingual EU-supported international mobility programmes. It also indicates that there is a need to strengthen confidence regarding language use and implement balanced language policies in the EU.20252025-09-13 07:16:33Magistrsko delo/naloga173093sl