According to the data of the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania, over 90,000 war refugees from Ukraine live in Lithuania. To facilitate the integration of Ukrainians in Lithuania, it is important to take measures that ensure the efficiency of the process. One such measure is the reduction of the language barrier, which was undertaken by representatives of the Language Centre of the Faculty of Arts and Education of Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution (HEI).

The Language Centre is implementing a six-month project “Lithuanian language courses for people who have fled Ukraine due to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine”, during which, since October, Ukrainian citizens living in Kaunas, Kėdainiai, Alytus and Jurbarkas have had the opportunity to learn Lithuanian language levels A1, A2 and B1 and Lithuanian sign language free of charge. The project is funded by the 2014–2021 Bilateral Cooperation Fund of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Norwegian Financial Mechanisms.

Speaks Lithuanian more and more boldly

‘I worked for many years in the Jurbarkas district municipality, I was a civil servant, and I am currently retired. My speciality is the Lithuanian language and literature, so in 2022, when the war broke out in Ukraine and war refugees arrived in Jurbarkas, I offered to teach them the Lithuanian language. And so these lessons continue to this day. At first, it was difficult, because it was a completely new field of activity for me, and besides, I had forgotten the Russian language. Gradually, the experience came. For me, it is a pleasure and joy that I can help people affected by the war in this way,’ shares lecturer Danutė Matelienė.

While conducting courses, D. Matelienė notices that the participant’s ability to learn a foreign language is very individual, and therefore the learning progress is different. ‘When there is a desire and motivation, the result is noticeable. We work additionally with several courses’ participants who are having a harder time for various reasons,’ adds the lecturer.

‘When you see how sincerely people try, and how much effort they put into integrating into our community, you want to help them. It is gratifying that the participants of the A2 courses already understand Lithuanian quite well and are increasingly speaking Lithuanian in everyday situations,’ says D. Matelienė.

Lithuanian language courses – real support for Ukrainians living here

When asked what teaching challenges she faces, the lecturer replies that she has not encountered any major difficulties in the learning process. Jurbarkas Public Library has created good teaching conditions – the course group is always welcomed here, a permanent office is provided, the necessary equipment is provided, and if necessary, the library staff is happy to help.

‘When problems arise, we solve them right there. We look for answers to all the questions that arise together with Inga Borzenko, the Service Development Coordinator of the Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution (HEI) Language Centre,’ says D. Matelienė.

According to the lecturer, everyone must understand that free Lithuanian language courses are a great and real support for Ukrainians living here. Those who want to learn the language and do not have such an opportunity know what the real cost of Lithuanian language courses is. Therefore, this project opens up wide opportunities for Ukrainian citizens to integrate more easily.

‘It is very good news for those who have already learned Lithuanian that from January B1 language proficiency courses will be held in Jurbarkas,’ reveals D. Matelienė. She also emphasises that people who left their homes due to the war, mainly women with children, are socially vulnerable, they lack funds for subsistence, and because they do not know the language, they often cannot find a job. It is also important that these courses are a great opportunity for Ukrainians living in the Jurbarkas district to meet, chat, share information about the situation in their country, or, in case of trouble, help each other.

The article was published in the Jurbarkas city and district newspaper “Mūsų laikas” (in Lithuanian language)