Developing english language competence in Ukraine for a new era

Abstract

Introduction – English in Ukraine Today This very short paper is a partial precis of a presentation to the conference which raises some ideas and issues to provoke discussion and stimulate further ideas for sustainable development. We start with three strategic level questions: What has been the point of teaching so much English in Ukraine over the last 25 years? Have the learning and teaching arrangements evolved suitably? Are the teaching arrangements the most effective way for 2024 and beyond? The general point of the last 25 years has been for Ukrainians to be able to communicate evermore in the international environment of the changed context from 1990. That change has been both technological and political. The change has an internal character: so much internet-related activity has become English-based that it touches a lot of most people’s lives, be that communicating, shopping, trading, or technical and IT aspects. The need to use English starts long before the phrase ‘travel abroad’ becomes relevant.