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Politicians' English skills put to the test in 'exam'
🇱🇹 Lithuania /Culture & Society

Politicians' English skills put to the test in 'exam'

From Delfi · () Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A Lithuanian politician, Justas Pečeliūnas, conducted an "exam" on politicians' English speaking skills.
  • Former Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė and others were tested, with Pečeliūnas criticizing their performance, particularly reading from notes.
  • The session concluded with Pečeliūnas declaring the entire class a "fail."

Politician Justas Pečeliūnas has conducted an "exam" to assess the English language proficiency of fellow politicians, turning the session into a public spectacle.

Well, shall we present our English dialogue, ready? From your faces, I can see how this will go.

— Justas PečeliūnasBeginning the English language assessment for politicians.

The recording begins with Pečeliūnas asking his "students," "Well, shall we present our English dialogue, ready?" He immediately notes, "From your faces, I can see how this will go."

So thank you for such a warm welcome and for the...

— Inga RuginienėHer initial English greeting during the assessment.

Former Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė is featured first, delivering a welcome in English. However, Pečeliūnas criticizes her for reading from a prepared text, stating, "I can read myself."

I can read myself.

— Justas PečeliūnasCriticizing Inga Ruginienė for reading from a prepared text.

Algirdas Butkevičius, known for his broken English, attempts to assist. Vilija Blinkevičiūtė struggles with the word "the," and Pečeliūnas likens her attempt to a rap song. Finally, Diana Nausėdienė is presented, with a clip of her past "holistic soft power fail" speech being used. Pečeliūnas concludes the session by angrily declaring, "Correct, Diana. This whole class is a fail."

Correct, Diana. This whole class is a fail.

— Justas PečeliūnasConcluding the English language assessment with a harsh judgment.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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