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Breaking Barriers Through Language Classes: A Step Closer Towards Social Inclusion in Poland
Warsaw, Poland – Like millions of other women from Ukraine, Nataliia was forced to abandon her home with a suitcase in one hand, and her child in the other, following Russia’s full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022. Arriving in Poland, Nataliia quickly began to adapt to her new environment, despite the difficult circumstances.
“After being welcomed into the home of a Polish family, and my child into a Polish school, I’ve been eager to learn Polish and speak to the people who accepted us in their language,” she shares.
Nataliia is one of the 30 migrants from Ukraine and Belarus who have successfully completed a state Polish language examination with IOM Poland’s support. This milestone is a crucial step towards their integration into Polish society. Moreover, the exam aimed to equip the migrants with the language skills necessary for meaningful employment.
The achievement was made possible through IOM’s partnership with Edu&More, a local Polish language school for foreigners which conducts language classes at the Warsaw Integration Centre. Since January 2023, the number of courses being offered have expanded to include intermediate and upper-intermediate levels, preparatory certification exams, and industry-specific courses, such as medical and office language. Recognizing the importance of language proficiency, IOM Poland financially supported all the participants and covered the costs of the state examination and certificates.
“The certificate is valid for life. It distinguishes migrants on the labour market and certainly helps them to believe in their own strengths, and gain self-confidence,” says Agnieszka Pabiańczyk, the Vice Director of Edu&More. “As a school, we appreciate the commitment of IOM and its professional support to activities aimed at improving the language skills of migrants, as well as their social inclusion into the Polish community”.
Overall, more than 600 individuals in Warsaw alone, and more than 3500 nationwide, have benefitted from the Polish language courses. The success of language integration initiatives actively contributes to IOM’s overarching objectives to support the well-being and prosperity of migrants in their new communities.
“To enter a new society and learn about its culture, you need to know its language. It makes it easier to find a good job, to deal with different institutions, to make contacts, and to build good, neighbourly relations,” says Nataliia, “I sincerely thank IOM for the chance they gave me and other people! This is exactly what we need.”
IOM Poland extends its heartfelt congratulations to all those who participated in the exam session and wishes them the best of luck in their future endeavours.
This project was funded by the United States Government, France and the Social Development Bank in Europe | CEB
This story was written by Alex Foster, Social Media Assistant at IOM Poland
