Vilnius reduces Russian-language services, boosts Lithuanian learning

Vilnius is significantly scaling back Russian-language education and services as part of a broader initiative to bolster the use of Lithuania's state language. The city has already reduced Russian-language preschool groups by 40% in recent years.

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In the spring, Vilnius decided on strengthening the use of the state language and is consistently implementing its set goals. Hearing the expectations of Vilnius residents and clearly understanding the meaning of integration, we have made significant progress in just a few months.

Mayor Valdas Benkunskas stated that Vilnius is consistently implementing its goals for strengthening the state language, noting that over a thousand foreigners have already benefited from increased language learning offerings. "We have made significant progress in just a few months," Benkunskas said, highlighting that free Lithuanian language courses, both 75-academic-hour in-person and 60-academic-hour online, are in high demand, often filling up within hours.

To further support language acquisition, the city is allocating an additional 300,000 euros from the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund specifically for Lithuanian language learning. Initiatives like "Aš kalbu" (I Speak) have seen strong interest, with an average of three applicants per spot. In the fall, language cafes will launch across the city, and an online learning platform is planned by year's end.

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We have increased the supply of language learning, already reaching over a thousand foreigners, and we have reduced Russian-language preschool groups by as much as 40 percent.

Beyond formal education, the "BeFriend" program connects foreigners with Vilnius residents to practice Lithuanian in daily life and explore the city. The city is also enhancing Lithuanian language instruction in minority schools, with at least six lessons per week. A dual-language model is used in ten minority kindergartens, where part of the day is taught in the native language and the rest in Lithuanian. These steps underscore Vilnius's commitment to integrating non-EU citizens and promoting the national language.

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I view the strengthening of the state language in the city's services not as a one-time initiative, but as decisions that lead to long-term changes. This is consistent work, encompassing education, resident services, and integration.