Latvian Language Learning Programme

The Latvian language is the official language; it is the language of democratic involvement and the means of communication in Latvia, and also a foundation for united society. The decrease of the Latvian language use would be a danger for successful society integration. In order to increase the quality of Latvia’s human capital it is a task for the government to ensure that the entire population of Latvia speak and use the Latvian language.

Since Latvia regained its independence, a successive policy of Latvian as the official language has been carried out. The proportion of people speaking Latvian has significantly grown in comparison to the period of the Soviet Union when it was very low. Although the level of the official language proficiency varies among non-Latvians, the main trend indicates a constant increase.

At present, the students of elementary and secondary schools have plenty of opportunities to learn the Latvian language. Prepaid courses of the Latvian language fragmentarily are available for other target groups; besides, the offered educational programmes are not adapted for professional specifics.

In 1995, the Government created the National Programme for Latvian Language Learning. Starting from 12 October 2004, the National Agency for Latvian Language Learning administered this programme and later, by the Government Resolution of 2009, it was reorganised into the Latvian Language Agency (LLA).

The Latvian Language Learning Programme can be regarded as one of the most successful projects of society integration. The polls conducted on a regular basis show that during the implementation of this programme, the Latvian language proficiency of the representatives of national minorities has increased and the interest to learn Latvian also has grown. With the help of the Latvian government and international supporters, the Latvian Language Learning Programme offered language courses free of charge for employees of different fields to whom the knowledge of Latvian is necessary for the performance of their professional duties, e.g., policemen, teachers, employees of local governments, medical personnel and also the parents of national minority students.

In the framework of the Latvian Language Learning Programme, more than 82,000 people have been provided with the courses of the Latvian language. The Latvian language teaching aid packages have been prepared for the grades 1 to 9, teaching aids have been developed for bilingual education, and methodological material - for teachers of Latvian and of subjects taught bilingually. Teachers are provided with the opportunity to upgrade their professional skills in various further education courses both for teaching the Latvian language and literature, and bilingual teaching.