During the first phase of implementing the project “My Latvian Language Portfolio,” No. PMIF/13.2./2023/1/10, within the activities of the planning period 2021-2027 of the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund, activity 13.2 “Integration of third-country nationals into local society, promoting opportunities for the use and acquisition of the Latvian language,” from August 2023 to February 2024, six study groups (totaling 86 third-country nationals from Ukraine, Armenia, the Russian Federation, Belarus, and New Zealand) acquired Latvian language skills at levels A1 and A2 both in-person (3 groups) and remotely (3 groups).
In the final session, all participants of the Latvian language courses took a test, and upon successful completion of the test, they received a certificate confirming the completion of the Latvian language course programme of 120 hours at the respective level. For some participants, receiving the certificate was particularly uplifting as the results of the State Language Proficiency Test (SLPT) conducted by the National Centre for Education (NCE) were announced. Overall, 98% of project participants took the SLPT, and 67% received a positive decision from NCE regarding the attainment of the appropriate level of Latvian language proficiency (10 participants passed A1 state language proficiency test, 47 participants passed A2 state language proficiency test).
The project’s pedagogical leader, Dr. philol. Maija Burima, points out that the results of the State Language Proficiency Test (SLPT) for the course participants are very good because the majority of them had either weak or no knowledge of the Latvian language when starting the courses. It should be noted that the best results in the NCE SLPT were achieved by the participants in remote groups (80% successfully passed the SLPT), which demonstrates the effectiveness of this training format in language acquisition. It also proves that all language skills (listening, writing, speaking, and reading) can be fully mastered through remote learning, applying various digital language learning tools and applications.
Both the remote and in-person group participants expressed their gratitude to the course organizers and educators.
Tatiana Z.: “A huge thank to everyone for the work done, for your patience in teaching people of such diverse backgrounds, each with their own level of knowledge. The right approach was found for each individual, and it was always done with a smile.”
Tatiana G.: “Many thanks to you for your work, patience, pleasant atmosphere, and smiles. It was truly enjoyable to learn with you. I want to continue learning. I am grateful to the organizers for the opportunity to learn remotely, without leaving home. You have greatly facilitated our daily lives with this opportunity.”
Marharyta: “Our teacher Maija prepared us for the exam not just to 100%, but to 200%. I am going to the exam with great confidence. Thank you, Maija, for allowing us to feel love for the country, culture, and the people around us.”
Aleksandrs: “I want to thank all the project staff for the positive atmosphere, the good attitude towards us, and the great, professional work that was done during the courses. We really enjoyed learning in such a good company. Thanks for the treats during the coffee breaks. Conversations during breaks definitely helped us to master the Latvian language even better.”
Participation in the “I want to talk to you” Conversation Language Club sessions helped the project’s target audience achieve high results in the State Language Proficiency Test (SLPT). During these sessions, motivation among third-country nationals to use Latvian in everyday communication, domestic situations, and with state and municipal institutions was promoted. The Conversation Language Club sessions contributed to the expansion of vocabulary and competence in the use of communicative phrases, thereby enhancing the speaking skills of the project’s target audience.
To prepare for the SLPT, individual and group consultations were organized for the project’s target audience. Adequate technical equipment was provided for all participants in the in-person groups, and exam simulation sessions were organized under the supervision of the project educators and the information technology administrator. Throughout the project, methodological seminars were organized for educators to exchange experiences. Original teaching support materials for levels A1 and A2 of Latvian language proficiency were developed for the implementation of the club sessions.
The majority of the course participants are improving their Latvian language skills by continuing their studies. In the second phase of the project implementation starting in February 2024, 150 third-country nationals from Armenia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, and the Russian Federation started classes in 10 groups both in-person and remotely. It is planned that these group participants will have completed their courses by June 2024.
Latvian language courses are organized within the framework of the project “My Latvian Language Portfolio,” funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, as part of the activities for the planning period 2021-2027, activity 13.2: “Integration of third-country nationals into local society, promoting the use and acquisition of Latvian language” with project number PMIF/13.2./2023/1/10.
THE PROJECT IS CO-FINANCED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION.
This publication was made with the support of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.
This publication has been made with the support of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.
Daugavpils University Association for Lifelong Learning, Cultural, and Scientific Communication “Intellect Park” is responsible for the content of the publication. The publication was prepared and posted on 08.03.2024.
