English, as a language of international communication, is becoming increasingly popular in Ukraine. In today’s globalized world, knowledge of English opens up wide opportunities for personal and professional development. English is the key to integration into the international community, providing access to the latest scientific achievements, technologies and world cultural heritage.
In the second reading, the Parliament of Ukraine adopted Draft Law No. 9432 on the use of English in Ukraine. This step brings Ukraine closer to the European Union (EU) membership and contributes to the competitiveness of Ukrainian business, science, education and government. From now on, English will become the language of international communication in Ukraine.
“Today, English is the language that allows us to communicate with the whole world, as well as learn about the latest trends, innovations and scientific discoveries in the fields of EdTech, Govtech, DefenseTech, etc. Our goal is to make English, and at the same time these areas, accessible to Ukrainians. The adoption of the law means new opportunities for the professional development of Ukrainians to compete in the global market and achieve their goals, as well as a strong signal to the world of Ukraine’s clear intention to join the global English-speaking space,” said Mykhailo Fedorov, Vice Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology Development and Minister of Digital Transformation.
Categories of positions for which candidates must be proficient in English
- civil servants of category “A”, as well as “B” and “C”, the list of which is established by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine
- heads of local state administrations, their deputies
- employees of local self-government bodies (except for elected officials), whose main duties include the performance of international cooperation functions
- military officers, sergeants and non-commissioned officers performing military service under a contract, the list of which is established by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine
- mid-level and senior police officers of the National Police of Ukraine, positions of senior officers of other law enforcement agencies, positions of senior officers of the civil protection service, the list of which is established by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine
prosecutors- employees of tax and customs authorities, the list of which is established by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine
- heads, members of the executive body, members of the supervisory board (board of directors) and other officials of state-owned enterprises, business entities in the authorized capital of which more than 50% of shares (stakes) belong to the state
- heads of state research institutions
- heads of higher education institutions.
“English is a vector of Ukraine’s integration into the EU. It is the language of global cooperation, business, science and education. One of the key priorities of the EU’s internal policy is learning foreign languages, and a common economic space is impossible without a common language space. Therefore, knowledge of English will allow us to promote our interests on the world stage, effectively interact with foreign partners and integrate Ukrainian business into the European economic system,” said Valeria Ionan, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation for European Integration.
In addition, the draft law promotes the spread of the English language in the fields of education, culture, transportation, and medicine. For example:
– compulsory learning of English by children of senior preschool age
– information signs about tourist attractions, as well as announcements at transportation hubs, will be in English
– information about healthcare facilities may be provided in English.
The draft law is an important step towards Ukraine’s integration into the international community. This draft law will improve the level of services provided to foreign citizens and will help to improve the country’s reputation in the international arena. In particular, it will promote tourism and the presentation of Ukrainian culture.
“The adoption of the Law on the Use of English in Ukraine as a Language of International Communication is an important step towards our country’s integration into the global community. From now on, candidates for civil servant positions, heads of local state administrations, their first deputies and other key officials, including heads of state research and higher education institutions, are required to be proficient in English. This will improve the quality of public administration, facilitate international cooperation and provide new opportunities for Ukraine’s development,” said Dmytro Zavhorodnyi, Deputy Minister for Digital Development, Digital Transformation and Digitalization.
In addition, the introduction of the English language provides new opportunities for the development of science and education and will help Ukrainian entrepreneurs enter international markets. This will create favorable conditions for attracting foreign investment, which, in turn, will contribute to economic growth and job creation.
The draft law was developed by the teams of the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy, together with partners.
In light of these developments, we offer you a glossary of several important intellectual property terms and their translations:
- Intellectual property – Intellectual property
- Copyright – copyright
- Trademark – trademark
- Patent – patent
- Utility model – utility model
- Invention – invention
- Derivative work – derivative work
- Co-author – co-author
- Plagiarism – plagiarism
- Work – work
Thus, English plays an important role in Ukraine as a means of international communication, facilitating the country’s integration into the global community. The introduction of English into various spheres of life, including education, business, and media, increases the competitiveness of Ukrainians in the global market, expands their opportunities for professional and personal development, and strengthens cultural and economic ties with other countries.
In addition, in November 2023, the Future Perfect language program was launched to promote English as a language of international communication in Ukraine and offer free English learning opportunities. The program includes a law that provides for the introduction of English in various fields of activity, as well as products and services that help to learn the language in a convenient and accessible format.
copyright / education / English language / integration / intellectual property
