More language tuition needed for refugees

People who emigrate to the Faroes usually have some English language proficiency and are thus able to communicate in the Faroes.

But many of the approximately 150 Ukrainian refugees who have arrived so far do not speak any English at all.

“We all know that language is the key to successful integration – jobs, education, social networks, etc. So, a big language barrier like this can easily become a major obstacle,” says Sigrið Zachariasen, daily manager of Red Cross Faroe Islands.

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Tórshavn’s evening school offers basic Faroese language courses to all refugees, and the Red Cross refugee centre also offers some language training.

“But these evening school courses only have admission twice a year, and that makes it difficult for some refugees to sign up for the courses,” she explains.

“There is no doubt that the refugees are willing to learn languages, both Faroese and English. I hope more comprehensive and more varied language tuition in both these languages will be made available to Ukrainian refugees as soon as possible.”

Read the Faroese version of this article here.

More Faroese News in English.