The aim of the present paper is to classify measures of internationalization and to discuss the use of foreign languages as an instrument for the internationalization of graduate programs in Brazil. The article also addresses legal aspects as well as pedagogical and administrative factors, both positive and negative, related to the use of foreign languages as an internationalization tool for Brazilian institutions of higher education, especially with regard to processes for the selection of new graduate students, for the determination of course offerings and for the development of theses and dissertations.