The paper discusses the role of and relationship between globalization and foreign languages in the process of internationalization of higher education. To this end, the article reviews studies on the role of foreign languages in general and of English in particular, in the internationalization of higher education. In order to support the discussion proposed in the article, a case study was conducted and describes the creation of a language coordination within the framework of the office of international relations of the Federal University of Espírito Santo. The coordination described aims to support the internationalization of the institution through the support for actions that permeate the use, teaching and learning of languages in that institution. The results of the case study suggest that the creation of a language coordination within the framework of the office of international relations of the institution investigated was positive for the development of foreign languages and the internationalization process in that institution.