Since February 2022, more than 160,000 Ukrainian citizens have been granted refugee status in the UK. In the year following the Russian invasion, many Ukrainians and their host families have developed life-long friendships, exchanging beloved national dishes and cultural traditions in spite of potential language barriers.
Now the University of Sheffield is launching two new courses that it hopes will help those supporting Ukrainians.
A six-week beginners’ course is open to absolutely anyone seeking to learn Ukrainian for the first time, no prior language experience required. The first one starts on March 7 and will be taught at a ‘friendly, welcoming, slow pace’.
For those already familiar with Russian or another Slavonic language, who might want to learn Ukrainian at a faster pace, the university is offering a conversion course. This will be the first course of its kind in the UK and runs from March 6 to May 10. Registration closes on February 28.
Both courses will be open to any members of the public (including existing students).
According to the university, the number of Slavonic language experts in Britain has dropped since the 1990s when investment in central and eastern Europe specialists increased following the fall of the Soviet Union.
Professor Neil Bermel, professor of Russian and Slavonic Studies, said: ‘With the war in Ukraine ongoing, there is a need for the UK to have not only Ukrainian specialists but specialists in the languages and cultures of Central and Eastern Europe. We need people who understand how and why each of these countries – who are vitally important for peace and stability in Europe – respond to the conflict and its impact over the coming years.’
Both programmes are set to be taught by Ukrainian academics who are being hosted by the university as part of its University of Sanctuary initiative. The scheme supports students and staff who are seeking refuge in the country or have been affected by war in their home nations.
Nataliia Faryna, a visiting teaching associate from Ukraine, said: ‘For me, teaching Ukrainian language is a way to tell people about Ukraine, about our culture and worldview, to help those people who have already taken the first steps in the chosen direction get to know it. I am infinitely grateful to the people of Great Britain for standing with Ukraine in the war and for their unwavering support.’
You can find out more about the two courses here.
Stay in the loop: sign up to Out There, our free newsletter about all the best stuff to do across the UK.