In order to provide for persons under international protection an opportunity to acquire Latvian language knowledge and skills needed for work and in everyday life, and develop the main competences required for learning a language, such as reading, speaking, writing, listening and use of grammar, Latvian language courses were organised for two groups under the Support Actions for Persons under International Protection II project from March to May of this year at the Accommodation Centre for Asylum Seekers “Mucenieki”. Participants of the courses took the final test on 24 May, but on 31 May 21 person under international protection from 11 countries – Eritrea, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Israel, Congo, Sudan, Tajikistan, Belarus, Uzbekistan and Georgia – received their certificates about completion of the course.
"The level of language knowledge of the first group, which consisted of 10 persons from Eritrea, was homogeneous at the beginning of the training, since most of the trainees from Eritrea had arrived simultaneously. Only a couple of participants had been in Latvia for some time and had learned some words in Latvian, for example, "Good day!", "My name is..." etc. Based on the approved language proficiency levels the overall level of Latvian language knowledge in this group was at Pre A1 Level," explains Latvian language teacher Lolita Zilberte (Lolita Zilberte). She tells that the group displayed great interest in the contents of the programme. "Students were especially interested in the topic "Shopping", because they were able to use the acquired knowledge in their everyday life immediately. The positive attitude of students during the learning process was satisfying. They were active during the lessons, took part in situational language games in the classroom gladly and were diligent in preparing their homework – individually or in pairs."
The second group consisted of 11 persons from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Israel, Congo, Sudan, Tajikistan, Belarus, Uzbekistan and Georgia.
"The level of language proficiency varied considerably at the beginning of lessons, because the group started learning in March 2018, but some its participants resided at "Mucenieki" since the end of 2017. As a result they had some prior knowledge of Latvian language. Based on the approved language proficiency levels the overall level of Latvian language knowledge of this group was at Pre A1 Level (0 level). It should be mentioned that students in this group did not only have various levels of language proficiency, they were also in different age groups and had different levels of education, which also influenced the learning process," describes L.Zilberte the second group. "All in all the attitude toward studies was very positive in this group. Participants showed great interest in learning and about life in Latvia, its history, culture and traditions. The group was very interested in the contents of the programme, they especially inquired into possibilities to take the state language examination later on that would enable them to find work as soon as possible. This group found the topic "Place of Residence and Finding One`s Way in the City" especially interesting."
On 24 May at the end of the course the students took a diagnostic test to establish their proficiency level, which included listening, reading, writing and speaking tasks.
The Support Actions for Persons under International Protection II project is implemented with the support from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and co-financed by the European Union.
Information was prepared by: Rasa Salina (Rasa Saliņa), Multimedia Communications Specialist, phone 22026355, e-mail: rasa.salina@patverums-dm.lv