LANGUAGE LEARNING MEASURES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR MIGRANTS: LATVIA EXPERT WORKSHOP ON INTEGRATION OF MIGRANTS IN LINE WITH OSCE COMMITMENTS, INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND GOOD PRACTICES 18 MARCH 2016
Key points Latvia considers that learning of the state language is an important precondition for successful inclusion, providing third country nationals (incl.refugees) the autonomy and possible participation in the labor market. The host country should ensure that language learning is financially and geographically accessible for the target group (e.g. third country nationals). Latvian government has adopted an Action plan (2015) which includes measures for the social and economic inclusion of refugees. Within the framework of this Action plan various services are provided for refugees: acquisition of the state language (120h per person), possibility to obtain a general education for minors at the educational institutions etc.
Legislation Law on Official Language (1999) Guidelines on National Identity, Civil Society and Integration Policy for 2012 2018 (approved by the Cabinet Order No. 452 of 20 October 2011) are essential for the official language policy with the policy goals defined in the direction "National identity: language and cultural space": 1) to ensure the use of the Latvian language in the public space of Latvia; 2) to strengthen the skills of the Latvian language for Latvians living abroad, national minorities, non-citizens, new immigrants; 3) to strengthen Latvian identity and belonging to Latvia for Latvians living abroad. Plan for re-emigration support measures for 2013 2016 (approved by the Cabinet Order No. 356 of 30 July 2013) have been developed with a purpose to determine specific support measures for those Latvian nationals and family members thereof who are considering the possibility or have already decided to return and work in Latvia, or want to establish their own undertaking or develop business links with Latvia. The competence of the official language is required condition for the integration of this target group in the community of Latvia, therefore the measures for ensuring of the acquisition of the Latvian language. Cabinet Order No 591 of 13 October 2015; Article 30 and 31
Official Language Policy Guidelines for 2015 2020
Language tests for migrants for various purposes Entry into the country no tests Family reunion no tests Employment according to Cabinet Order No.733, Appendix 1, 2 Acquisitions of long term resident status - according to regulations of Cabinet Order No.733, Appendix 1,2 Regulations on the state language and the level of the state language proficiency testing procedure for professional and employment duties, a permanent residence permit and the European Union's long-term resident status and the state fee (14,23 EUR) for the language proficiency test.
The research Language Proficiency 2013 The research Language Proficiency 2013 shows that in general from 2001 until 2012 the largest number of the candidates for the official language proficiency examination was on the basic level, however during the last years the number of candidates for intermediate and highest level has increased and the number of those persons who are passing examination on the basic level has decreased. 2011 was the first year when the number of persons passed the basic level was the lesser than the number of persons passed intermediate level. The official language proficiency and documentary certification thereof is necessary mainly for the performance of professional and official duties. In general 97% of persons want to pass the official language proficiency examination for work needs and only 3 % - for the acquisition of permanent residence permit or status of permanent inhabitant of the EU. Older persons take mostly the official language proficiency examination of the basic level. A part of this group is made of foreigners who want to obtain a certificate of the official language proficiency on the basic level, in order to candidate for the status of permanent inhabitant of Latvia or the EU.
The research Language Proficiency 2013 From 2009 until 2012 the assessment of the basic level and intermediate level of the language proficiency has been obtained by almost similar number of the candidates (34%). In its turn the number of persons who have not passed the official language proficiency examination is almost the same as the number of candidates who have obtained the highest level of the language proficiency (16-17%). The research Language Proficiency 2013 also shows a positive fact that a part of the candidates of the official language proficiency examination pass the examination repeatedly and since 2001 approximately 8% of candidates have passed the language examination repeatedly and obtained higher language proficiency certification.
Language learning requirements Law on Asylum (2016) Article 50 : (2) A minor who has been granted refugee status or alternative status shall be provided access to education in the official language of the state or municipal educational institution. Article 53: (1) A refugee in the first 12 months after the acquisition of refugee status and the person who has been granted alternative status for the first nine months after the acquisition of alternative status receive an allowance to cover living expenses, as well as learning the official language necessary costs if the person has no other source for living. Regulations of Cabinet Order No.174 (schools)
Country Number % No information about country of origin 2635 41,07 Latvia 3116 48,57 Russia 363 5,66 Ukraine 89 1,39 Belarus 37 0,58 China 21 0,33 Lithuania 21 0,33 Azerbaijan 9 0,14 Germany 9 0,14 Israel 7 0,11 Kazakhstan 7 0,11 Moldova 7 0,11 Turkey 7 0,11 Uzbekistan 7 0,11 Applicants (2014) Foreigners 664 Inhabitants of Latvia 3117 No information about country of origin 2635 Total 6416 Other countries: Armenia, India, Kyrgyzstan, Sri Lanka, Estonia, the United States, Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Egypt, France, Georgia, Pakistan, Poland, Spain, Italy, Japan, Morocco, Nepal, Syria, Hungary, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, South Africa, Canada, United Kingdom, Macedonia, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Finland, Turkmenistan.
Division of foreigners according to the aim of the test (2014) Work 470 PRP 185 European Union's longterm resident status 9 Total 664
Country Number % from Total No information on country 158 2,7 Latvia 4176 71,8 Russia 821 14,1 Ukraine 231 4,0 Belarus 97 1,7 Lithuania 44 0,8 China 31 0,5 Uzbekistan 23 0,4 Kazakhstan 23 0,4 Armenia 19 0,3 Israel 18 0,3 India 18 0,3 USA 18 0,3 Azerbaijan 15 0,3 Georgia 12 0,2 Moldova 11 0,2 Turkey 10 0,2 Germany 9 0,2 Estonia 7 0,1 Applicants (2015) Foreigners 1484 Inhabitants of Latvia 4175 No information about country of origin 158 Total 5817 Other countries: Italy, United Kingdom, Kyrgyzstan, Japan, Egypt, Poland, Peru, France, Afghanistan, Thailand, Tajikistan, Pakistan, the Netherlands, Morocco, Korea, Bulgaria, Belgium, Sweden, Venezuela, Turmenistāna, Switzerland, Sri Lanka, Spain, Slovenia, Syria, Portugal, Nigeria, Nepal, Mexico, Mauritius, Lebanon, Cuba, Jordan, Iran, Greece, Denmark, Brazil, Barbadora, Australia, Albania.
Division of foreigners according to the aim of the test (2015) Darbam 62% Pastāvīgās uzturēšanās atļaujas saņemšanai 37% ES pastāvīgā iedzīvotāja statusa saņemšanai 1% Work 926 PRP 543 European Union's long-term resident status 15 Total 1484
Language Levels of Foreigners (2015) Persons Basic (A) Independent (B) Proficient (C) A1 A2 FAILED B1 B2 FAILED C1 C2 FAILED TOTAL 365 543 86 183 91 109 36 23 48 1484 994 383 107 Persentage Basic (A) Independent (B) Proficient (C) TOTAL A1 A2 FAILED B1 B2 FAILED C1 C2 FAILED 24,6% 36,6% 5,8% 12,3% 6,1% 7,3% 2,4% 1,5% 3,2% 100% 67,0% 25,8% 7,2%
Language Courses Free of charge or sponsored courses Opportunity to participate in three language courses in one year period Language courses (State Employment Agency): Latvian language (basic level, intermediate level, upper - intermediate level); In frame of different projects financed by ESF and other programmes via Society Integration Foundation, National Integration Centre, universities, NGOs, Private Language schools etc. Paid courses Private Language schools etc.
Latvian language distance learning possibilities www.saziņas tilts, www.valoda.lv and portal Māci un mācies latviešu valodu : Digital learning courses (adults, children) Text books and methodological guidelines (teachers) Self-tests Audio materials Video materials (lectures and films) Educative games Links to useful web resources Etc. http://www.sazinastilts.lv/language-learning/languageportfolio/ 15
Among functions of the Latvian Language Agency (LVA) is to provide also a methodological assistance for teachers. On March 30 LVA holds a seminar for teachers and school head masters on different issues how to work with asylum seekers, immigrants and re-emigrants.
Thank you! Ineta Stadgale Senior Expert Policy Initiatives and Development Department Contacts: phone: +371 67047701, email: Ineta.stadgale@izm.gov.lv