Presently Latvian language courses are held for two groups, which consist of 25 persons under international protection from 11 countries — Eritrea (7), Afghanistan (2), Azerbaijan (5), Russia (4), Israel (1), Congo (1), Sudan (1), Tajikistan (1), Belarus (1), Uzbekistan (1), Georgia (1). Latvian language courses are scheduled to last from three to five months in each group, with two to three classes per week — one class lasts 135 minutes (3 x 45 minutes). The aim of Latvian language courses is to ensure that persons under international protection attain language proficiency needed for work and in everyday life, and develop basic language skills: reading, speaking, writing, listening and the use of grammar.
15 persons under international protection from 7 countries — Azerbaijan (7), Afghanistan (2), Russia (2), Kyrgyzstan (1), Uzbekistan (1), Tajikistan (1), Congo (1) — have begun their integration training course to acquire the knowledge and cultural orientation skills required for successful interaction with other members of Latvian society. Each class lasts 180 minutes (4x45 minutes). For the duration of courses each group has two classes per week on the average. Each course consists of at least five classes. Integration courses for persons under international protection provide them with knowledge about Latvia, its state system, history, culture and traditions, practical information about Latvia and services, information about integration into the society, non-discrimination principles, communication and religious differences, decision making, sense of time, housing market, employment facilities, education system and education acquisition opportunities, available leisure activities, healthcare system, social security network and social support system in Latvia.
Childcare is provided during the training to encourage families with children to participate.
Communication with the attendees of the training course is ensured by interpreters and speakers of different languages.
Until 30 June 2020 support under the Support Actions for Persons under International Protection II project will be provided to 500 persons, among them adults, children, and illiterate asylum seekers.
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. The total budget for the project amounts to EUR 240 000. Period of implementation of the project: 2 January 2018 – 30 June 2020 Grant Agreement No. PMIF/9/2017/2/01/
Information was prepared by: Rasa Salina (Rasa Saliņa), Multimedia Communications Specialist, phone 22026355, e-mail: rasa.salina@patverums-dm.lv