lithuanian_potatfan t1_iycq93i wrote on November 30, 2022 at 12:51 PM

For context: Lithuanians learn Lithuanian - their native language. Then they learn English in kindegarten and/or from 2nd grade of school. Then at 6th grade they get to pick a second foreign language. That depends on school - some schools already didn't have russian as an option, mine had French, German, and Russian, and the only reason I chose russian was because my parents understood it so they thought I should take it so they could help me with homework.

Removing russian would be removing one of the multiple second-foreign-language options. That's it. And it's not even popular and/or useful (most businesses are Europe/Asia/US oriented. Most students choose to study in Western Europe).

Russian schools (minority-specific school, just like Jewish or Polish or Ukrainian) where all subjects but Lithuanian language are taught in russian, still exist with no plans to close them down. This will only affect 2nd foreign language learning in standard Lithuanian public schools.

RevanTheHunter t1_iyed06o wrote on November 30, 2022 at 7:43 PM

Forgive me for coming off as ignorant, being an American I usually am, but what is the reasoning behind teaching English that early in Lithuania?

It just surprises me the hear that English is that taught so early in a country that many, many, of my fellow countrymen couldn't find on a map if their lives depended on it.

AwesomeTreee t1_iyel87y wrote on November 30, 2022 at 8:35 PM

English is taught pretty early in most countries as it is recognized as an international language - I'm Lithuanian and all of the jobs I've had post school have required at least some fluency in English, with other languages being considered as bonuses.
To clarify, it being taught in kindergarten is not the norm - most people only start learning it in 2nd grade.

lithuanian_potatfan t1_iyfawyl wrote on November 30, 2022 at 11:31 PM

My cousin's regular public kindegarten has English lessons and he's not yet 5 years old. When I was in kindegarten over 20 years ago my mom allowed me to take an English class once a week too. It's not uncommon.

lithuanian_potatfan t1_iyfagxr wrote on November 30, 2022 at 11:27 PM

Because English is basically Lingua Franca nowadays. You can communicate in it pretty much anywhere in the world and a lot of businesses have English and their main language.