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Lithuanian language proficiency experimental exam for US Lithuanian Heritage schools of the East Coast
04/27/2014
Lithuanian language proficiency experimental exam initiated by the KFF and AKLS as a part of AKGP  was held in the Lithuanian Alliance of America in NYC on Sunday, April 27. Lithuanian Heritage school students were offered an opportunity to take a B1 language level test for Lithuanian as a Foreign language. B1 in CEFR corresponds to Intermediate High-Advanced Low level of language proficiency in ACTFL .

Lithuanian language speaking, reading, listening and writing skills were assessed in order to provide students with certificates of  language proficiency so they can get Lithuanian language credits on their high school diplomas. Twenty one 13-18 year old student from five states participated with 17 students from five Lithuanian Heritage schools and four students who learn Lithuanian at home among them. Mrs.Egle Slezas (Boston Lithuanian School, MA), Mrs. Renata Petrauskiene (A.Kazickas Lithuanian School, NY), Mrs. Ramune Kurbanoviene (A.Kazickas Lithuanian School, NY) and Mrs.Gaila Narkieviciene (Boston Lithuanian School, MA) were on the exam board, with Mrs. Narkeviciene as the chair. Participants were greated by Mr.Valdemaras Sarapinas, Consul General of the Republic of Lithuania to New York, and Mrs. Laima Mihailovich, Head of the Lithuanian Alliance of America. 

 

Students who attend Heritage Language schools for 10 years accumulate up to 1300 hours of Lithuanian language, literature, history and culture instruction. So far Lithuanian doesn't have an official worldwide accredited diploma of Lithuanian as a Foreign Language. With this initiative Lithuanian Ministry of Education and Science is being asked to recognize Lithuanian as a Foreign language and to work with 200 Lithuanian Heritage schools around the world in preserving Lithuanian as it is often said to be the most conservative living Indo-European language. 
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