EHU students have intensive English language courses during the first two years of study.
Foreign language is a challenge that has always has been a key problem for humanities. It is not only necessary for students to exercise their professional life in a multilingual world, but is also essential to accessing cultural meaning through the spoken and written word – the doorways to interdisciplinary and international understanding and knowledge. The basis of foreign language courses in EHU should be a strategy “to write, to read, to speak ,” and vice versa , “to speak, to read, to write ,” which will provide access to humanities texts in foreign languages, where the primary role today belongs to the English language.
Regardless of the level of language proficiency at the time of enrollment, EHU students have the opportunity to improve their English language skills by two levels up within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Besides, EHU students have a chance to practice their English during regular international meetings, educational events with the participation of foreign specialists, and also communicating with students of exchange programs. Starting from the third year of studies, part of the EHU courses are taught in English, which allows students to expand their usage of a foreign language in academic and professional contexts.
Additionally, the English language for special purposes is included in the curriculum. In these courses, the students get a deeper insight into the professional terminology. The knowledge of specific professional English terms makes EHU students more competitive on the international labor market.
During the first year of study, EHU students have a course of the Lithuanian language and culture.
In the class, the students with the help of the teacher, who is a native Lithuanian speaker, study culture, tradition and the everyday practices of the Lithuanians, acquire the basic Lithuanian language skills. The course contributes to the early integration of the EHU students into the Lithuanian society, which allows students to feel comfortable in the new country, solve basic everyday issues and acquire new friends. Besides, the knowledge of Lithuanian language increases students’ chances to reveal their professional potential in Lithuania.
The course was made possible thanks to the financial support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania.
During the period of study in the University EHU students have an opportunity to study German on a commercial basis.
The students have an opportunity to improve their ability to speak German on an everyday and professional levels. Working in small groups and intensity of the courses can ensure significant achievements in learning. Additional foreign language course contributes to the student’s career prospects to participate in student exchange programs in German-speaking countries.
EHU students with the basic level of German language have an opportunity to attend special courses in Vilnius provided by the Belarusian office of Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The courses are dedicated to urgent social and political topics. This way the students are able to master their German language skills not only on the everyday level, but are also able to read and discuss the classical works of German literature, media production, academic papers.