Ukrainian authorities to pay for English language courses via e-Support program - PM

MOSCOW. July 3 (Interfax) - Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal has said that the state authorities would pay for English language courses through the e-Support program in the future.

"A presidential bill on English as a language of international communication has already been submitted to the Verkhovna Rada. English will become compulsory in the whole system of education. The authorities will pay for English language courses via the e-Support program. We will do all we can for every Ukrainian to have an opportunity to speak English," the prime minister was quoted by the Ukrainian media as saying in a statement at a government meeting last Friday.

He noted that the knowledge of a foreign language would increase the competitiveness and wages in the labor market for each Ukrainian.

As reported, on June 28, President Vladimir Zelensky submitted a bill to the Verkhovna Rada, which identifies English as a language of international communication in Ukraine and promotes the study of English by Ukrainian citizens.

The bill, among other things, stipulates that an option of showing films in their original language with Ukrainian subtitles will be introduced gradually from 2025 to 2027. It is also determined that the health care facilities will serve foreigners in English or through an interpreter four years after the martial law is abolished.

In addition, the rules of duplicating information and services to foreigners in the field of transport in English will take effect two years after the law is enacted, and the foreigners will be provided with emergency assistance in English four years after the martial law is lifted.

The English language will be used in the educational process for infants, toddlers and for children of middle preschool age and children of senior preschool age will study English in the kindergartens starting on September 1, 2026.