Shmyhal announces the new status of the English language
The government wants to legislate English as a language of international communication. This was announced by the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal.
"Ukraine is open to the world. Along with Ukraine's integration into the EU, we are strengthening cooperation with the international community. At the same time, the need for people with knowledge of English is growing. Learning it should become more accessible to Ukrainians. We held a meeting on this issue with the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the Ministry of Culture. We are preparing a draft law that, among other things, will enshrine English as a language of international communication. At the same time, we are working on solutions that will make learning English more accessible to everyone," he said in a statement.
According to Shmyhal, the innovation will help establish Ukraine as a regional leader.
"After the victory, we will launch a large-scale project to restore Ukraine. We expect many foreign companies and investors to come here to develop their business and create jobs. The English language opens up wide access to knowledge, the labor market, information and cultural products, and higher wages. Ukrainians should also benefit from these advantages, which will help establish Ukraine as a regional leader," adds Shmyhal.-
As a reminder, the Ukrainian government drafted a bill on the functioning of English as a language of international communication last August.
According to the current version of the bill, English is required for civil servants, including heads of local administrations, military officers, middle and senior officers of the National Police, and university professors.
It also provides for the improvement of education standards aimed at teaching English to all students, as well as the introduction of additional courses for adults.
In addition, the use of English in areas related to foreigners, such as cultural institutions, transportation, and international trade, is being expanded.
Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 18/06/2023
