The Daugavpils University Society for Lifelong Learning, Culture and Science Communication “Park of Intellect” has successfully completed the implementation of the project “My Latvian Language Portfolio” (No. PMIF/13.2./2023/1/10) under Activity 13.2 “Integration of Third-Country Nationals into Local Society by Promoting Opportunities for the Use and Learning of the Latvian Language” of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2021–2027 Programming Period.
The project was implemented from 1 August 2023 to 31 July 2026. Its objective was to improve the Latvian language proficiency of third-country nationals, encourage more active use of the language in a variety of communication situations, and promote their full participation in Latvian society.
During the courses, the participants strengthened their knowledge of Latvian grammar, expanded their vocabulary, and developed their reading, writing, and communication skills at the A1, A2, B1, and B2 proficiency levels. Particular emphasis was placed on the practical use of the Latvian language in everyday life, the workplace, and public settings.
A total of 583 third-country nationals (including 469 first-time participants) from 18 countries successfully completed the 120-hour Latvian language courses. The participants represented the United Kingdom, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Grenada, Georgia, India, Iran, Israel, New Zealand, Kazakhstan, Russia, China, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. The courses were delivered both in person in Daugavpils and online via the Zoom video conferencing platform, providing the target group with free access to Latvian language learning opportunities throughout Latvia.
The project participants also had the opportunity to reinforce their language skills by taking part in the “I Want to Talk to You…” Conversation Club, a 32-hour programme attended by 271 participants. During the sessions, they actively engaged in dialogues, discussions, role-playing activities, and a variety of collaborative group tasks. The classes were held both in person and online. Native Latvian-speaking volunteers also took part, helping the participants improve their pronunciation, expand their vocabulary, and communicate more confidently in Latvian.
As part of the Conversation Club programme, the participants explored the values of the Latvian Cultural Canon, the country’s history and natural heritage, and discussed topics related to tourism, sustainable living, and entrepreneurship. A particular highlight of the programme was the opportunity to meet experts from various fields, who shared their professional and personal experiences, inspired engaging discussions, and created authentic opportunities for participants to use Latvian in real-life communication. Among the guest speakers was Jānis Streičs – the distinguished Latvian film director, screenwriter, actor, Commander of the Order of the Three Stars, honorary member of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, and public figure, who passed away earlier this year. Many participants will long remember Jānis Streičs’ encouraging words and high praise for their excellent command of the Latvian language. His recognition was received as a great compliment and further strengthened participants’ confidence in the significant progress they had made in Latvian during the project.
Over the three years of the project, the language courses and Conversation Club sessions provided third-country nationals with a structured opportunity to learn Latvian and use it in practical communication. According to the participants themselves, this experience helped reduce the psychological barrier to speaking the language, encouraged them to use Latvian with greater confidence, and fostered more active participation in Latvia’s social, professional, and cultural life.
The project was implemented within the framework of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2021–2027 Programming Period, under Activity 13.2 “Integration of Third-Country Nationals into Local Society by Promoting Opportunities for the Use and Learning of the Latvian Language”, as part of the project “My Latvian Language Portfolio” (No. PMIF/13.2./2023/1/10).
CO-FUNDED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION
This publication has been produced with the support of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF).
The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of the Daugavpils University Society for Lifelong Learning, Culture and Science Communication “Park of Intellect”.
