Bill on use of English language in Ukraine signed into law

MOSCOW. June 26 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has signed the bill on the use of the English language in Ukraine into law, Ukrainian media outlets said with a reference to the Verkhovna Rada's website.

The Verkhovna Rada endorsed the bill on the use of the English language in Ukraine as a whole on June 4.

Under the law, the government provides the compulsory study of the English language and promotes learning of other international communication languages at educational establishments regardless of their form of ownership.

The law stipulates that preschool educational establishments must ensure the compulsory learning of the English language by children of senior preschool age. At the same time, preschool educational establishments must ensure the compulsory use of the English language in the educational process for children of early, junior preschool and middle preschool age.

The law authorizes higher educational establishments to make decisions on teaching one, several or most subjects, performing individual assignments and holding tests in English, which shall be clearly stated in the curriculum description for aspirants.

The law also stipulates that English could be used as a language of international communication in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the National Guard.

The law envisages the elaboration and approval of a targeted state program facilitating the learning and use of the English language in Ukraine. In particular, such program must take into account the specifics of the provision by movie theaters (respective subjects of cinematography) of the demonstration of foreign movies in English with the compliance with the requirements established by the law on supporting the functioning of the Ukrainian language as the state language.

In addition, the law stipulates that the screening of foreign films in English must be provided by movie theaters 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.