Latvian Language Learning Programme
The Latvian Language Agency (LLA) is an institution of public administration under the supervision of the Minister of Education and Science, and its aim is to enhance the status and promote sustainable development of the Latvian language – the official state language of the Republic of Latvia and an official language of the European Union. One of the key functions of LLA in promoting society integration is to ensure a favourable environment for language learning.
Support for learning the Latvian language in Latvia
Responding to the public demand and the language policy pursued in Latvia that requires good Latvian language skills from people employed in a number of professions, since 1997, the Latvian language courses have been provided for specific groups of professionals. The courses propagate the idea that a language should be mastered so as to be used on a daily basis, and not only for taking the official language examination. From 2004 onwards, special attention has been devoted to a new target audience – parents of children attending national minority schools.
International support for learning the official language
With the aim of promoting the learning of Latvian and processes of society integration, international organisations provided strong support to Latvia from 1996 to 2004. This support scheme was coordinated by the UN Development Programme. From 2006 to 2008, a project, “Learning Latvian as the official language during secondary education”, was carried out within the EU Structural Funds National Programme – the Latvian Language Learning. In 2009-2011, the LLA was carrying out an ESF project, “Support for Learning the Official Language and Bilingual Education”.
Learning the official language in Latvia: results
Due to a successful language policy and educational reform, proficiency in Latvian has improved among the public. The Latvian Language Agency carries out regular sociolinguistic research in order to assess the situation of the official language in Latvia.
