English becomes language of int'l communication in Ukraine

MOSCOW. June 4 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian parliament has formalized the status of English as a language of international communication in Ukraine, Ukrainian media said, citing parliament member Yaroslav Zhelezhnyak.

The parliament voted for a bill on using the English language in Ukraine at a plenary meeting on Tuesday, he said.

According to the bill, the government will provide compulsory learning of the English language and promote learning of other international communication languages at educational establishments irrespective of their form of ownership.

The bill stipulates compulsory learning of the English language by children of senior preschool age in preschool educational establishments, which will also ensure the compulsory use of the English language in the educational process for children of early, junior preschool and middle preschool age.

The bill allows higher educational establishments to teach one, several or most subjects, to do individual assignments and to hold tests in English, which shall be clearly stated in the curriculum description for aspirants.

The bill allows using English as a language of international communication in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the National Guard.

The bill envisages the elaboration and approval of a targeted state program to assist in the learning and use of the English language in Ukraine. The program will take into account the provision of movie theaters (respective subjects of cinematography) and the screening of foreign movies in English with due account of the Law on the Ukrainian Language Functioning as the State Language.

The bill says that movie theaters can screen foreign films in English on a voluntary basis, being compensated for related costs but honoring the minimal requirements.

For instance, every auditorium of a movie theater must provide at least eight screenings (public demonstrations) of movies in English during a calendar month, including at least twice during the week, any time on a weekend or on working day, after 6 p.m.