In the context of Ukraine’s commitment to globalisation, English is valued as a key tool for international communication. The importance of English for access to educational and professional opportunities is recognised by Ukraine and is reflected in a number of national strategies and initiatives.
Two studies have been conducted within the ‘English for Universities’ project. These reports have provided detailed analyses (with a particular focus on ESP and EMI) of the current status of English in HE in Ukraine. The recommendations in these reports provided a major stimulus for the development of a policy for English in HE. The results of the study suggest:
- Universities, to review, and where necessary increase, their policies regarding the numbers of hours allocated to ESP courses.
- EMI to be co-ordinated more effectively within institutions.
- Institutional support for EMI lecturers to be improved, including the provision of English language improvement training.
- New forms of collaborative teacher-led professional development to be set up in both ESP and EMI.
- Students’ English language proficiency to be verified before they attend lectures in English.
- ESP teachers and Foreign Language Heads of Department to receive further training on language assessment.
- The development of pedagogical skills to be a focus for professional development in both ESP and EMI.
Based on these recommendations of ‘English for Universities’ project, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine jointly with the British Council in Ukraine have developed a policy on English in higher education in Ukraine.
This policy document seeks to address these and other issues and to outline how the quality of English teaching, learning and use in HE in Ukraine can be enhanced in order to support the national strategies described above.