Plan to train 100 new Latvian language teachers for foreigners

It is estimated that on average about 5,000 people enter Latvia from third countries every year, but with the existing resources it is possible to provide language courses for no more than 10% of new arrivals.

"The large number of immigrants, citizens of Ukraine and other countries, foreign students, representatives of the diaspora and changes in the Immigration Law are essential prerequisites for strengthening the position of the national language and expanding the Latvian language learning offer, improving the methodology of teaching Latvian as a foreign language, ensuring the adequacy, availability and attractiveness of teaching materials, as well as for the training of specialists in the field – teachers of Latvian as a foreign language," the ministry said.

It is planned that the LU program will be implemented in cooperation with the Latvian Language Agency. 

"Trained teachers of the Latvian language will ensure high-quality learning of the national language, thereby promoting the integration of adult immigrants into Latvian society and their active involvement in the labor market. The employment of immigrants who have obtained qualified education abroad or diverse forms of self-employment and economic activity will be promoted, which increases the number of the economically active population," the ministry predicts.

Within the framework of the event, the planned total attributable financing is 730.8 thousand euros, of which the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) financing is 621,180 euros, and the state budget co-financing is 109,620 euros. The maximum amount of ESF+ financing does not exceed 85% of the total eligible financing of the project. On the other hand, the total available funding is 615,498 euros, of which more than 523 thousand euros are from ESF+.

To monitor the implementation of the project, the Ministry of Interior will establish a project monitoring council.