Last week autumn semester’s Multilingual Lithuania language learning project ended. More than 13 languages were taught, and around 300 Lithuanian and 30 international KTU students attended the lectures taught by their fellow students.
Among the 13 languages offered this semester were Chinese, Czech, Greek, Hindi, Kazakh, Slovak and Turkish. The most popular language was German – 113 students signed to learn it, followed by Russian (86), Spanish (64), Italian (62) and French (57).
Multilingual Lithuania is a voluntary social-educational native language-teaching project launched for Lithuanians. ESN Lithuania in cooperation with Invest Lithuania organises this project every year in order to encourage Lithuanians to learn languages.
During the second year of the project ESN KTU gathered around 330 students who were attending lectures every week. Lithuanian lectures were also provided by local students and had 34 attendees.
The project had overwhelming advantages to both Lithuanians and international students, as they became acquainted with a new culture, acquired language skills and made friends. The students who taught language gained teaching experience, improved their character traits, became aware of Lithuanian culture, and received certificates.
According to Karolina, Lithuanian student from KTU: “It was interesting and exciting to work in such multicultural and friendly atmosphere. It is more fun to learn a language not from a teacher, but from fellow students, who can teach you far more than boring grammar.”
“I increased my speaking skills. Project also helped me to fight my shyness. It was very impressive to see all those motivated people”, agreed Alexis, French KTU’s student.
Multilingual Lithuania language lessons are free of charge and conducted by native language speakers who are eager to teach languages through their culture, traditions and lifestyle. The duration of the project is 2.5 months including 10 seminars of teacher-to-students learning process.
The participants and teachers of the course believe that it is more about culture and communication than academic learning, and encourage students, who want to learn language, not to miss this opportunity next year.
For more information please visit http://www.esnlithuania.org/projects/multilingual-lithuania
Multilingual coordinators at ESN KTU are Ammad Tauqir and Parth Rajeshbhai Patel
