Czech schools introduce Ukrainian as second foreign language to study to ease struggles of refugees

Some Czech schools have decided to introduce Ukrainian as a second foreign language. Starting from September 1, young refugees can learn their native language in the Czech Republic.

However, only schools with sufficient students willing to study Ukrainian will hold this program, proukrainu reports.

What is the problem?

Since Russia's full-scale war began, many Ukrainians found a new home in Czechia. Currently, over 364,000 refugees stay in the state, with 28% being children. Over 51 thousand kids went to local schools and faced struggles of joining Czech language courses.

Typically, Czech children learn German, Spanish, French, or Russian at school in addition to English.

What is the solution?

The decision to add new languages to the school program is up to every Czech school. On September 1, some schools announced to make Ukrainian the second foreign language to study. With the start of the new school year, some Ukrainian parents and their children attending felt greatly relieved.

How does it work?

Students can study any foreign language they choose after English. Each school decides by itself. However, if the school has a qualified teacher and a desire among students, this option is quite possible to implement.

Previously, over 50,000 Ukrainian refugee children have enrolled in Czech schools since February 2022, doubling the number of multilingual children. Ukrainian students make up 3% of all students in the country.

The "Starting Together at School" campaign will disseminate messages on social media and through radio, and will promote roundtable discussions between schools, education officials, teachers and Ukrainians about the importance of teaching assistants in schools to promote the integration of Ukrainian refugee students.