English11

No. 11, 2014

CENTRE PLUS NEWS EDUCATION SERVICES – UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES, SCHOOLS ...

Currently Lithuania has twelve

years of comprehensive education and three cycles of higher education, including the programs of Bachelor, Master and the Doctorate. Primary, secondary education and vocational training in Lithuania is free of charge. You can also let your children go into private education institutions. Higher education for free is guaranteed for the best students in state schools.

Pre-school education under the pre-school program is offered for children from birth to 6 years.

It is not compulsory and is offered only on request of parents.

Pre-school education is provided by state and non-state kindergartens and kindergartens-schools.

Pre-primary education is provided to 6-year-old children, or, if parents wish, and the child is mature enough for such a development, earlier (but not before the age of five). Pre-primary education lasts for one year and is designed for a better preparation for school.

It is free of charge and universally available, but not compulsory. Pre-primary groups are set up in kindergartens or schools.

Primary education is provided by the age of seven. According to the Law on Education, children who have reached 7 years of age in the

calendar year must attend the first form. Thus, if on the 1st of September a child is under the age of seven and his seventh birthday will be at the end of the year, it is still required to start school.

Parental duty is to guarantee the child’s right to education and to let 7-year-old child to the first form.

When seven-year-old child is not let to the first form, his parents are subject to administrative liability.

The duration of the primary education program is 4 years. After completion, children acquire the primary education. Achievements and progress of 1-4 form pupils is not assessed with marks – assessment is based on individual child’s progress. At the end of trimester, half of the school year and the end of the school year an

assessment is carried out indicating the level of learning achievements - satisfactory, basic and higher. If the children are learning in minority schools, they begin to learn the state Lithuanian language at the first form. The first foreign language all the beginners start to learn from the second form. The basic education lasts for six years. After completing ten forms students acquire the basic education. Basic education program is implemented by basic, secondary, youth, vocational education schools and gymnasiums.

The compulsory education in Lithuania is up to 16 years. The secondary education is provided at secondary, vocational schools and gymnasiums.

Centre Plius News No.11, 2014

After completion of secondary education program and examinations young people acquire secondary education. Vocational training is intended to acquire or improve qualification. Vocational schools provide the qualification and basic or secondary education. Duration of the programs may be two or three years - depending on whether the program is intended to provide basic or secondary education, or if it is applied to persons with special needs. The studies along with secondary education last 1-2 years. After completion of vocational training and examinations students acquire the professional qualification. Those having the secondary education can continue to study in colleges or universities. The best graduates as well as graduates who have work experience in accordance with their qualification get extra points for entering higher education institutions.

. Upon completion of these studies the Bachelor`s degree of relevant field of studies or Bachelor degree and qualification is acquired that certifies Bachelor’s diploma.

Second cycle (Master) studies programs programs are designed to prepare students for independent science (artistic) work or other work that requires knowledge and analytical skills. Upon completion of Master degree programs the Master`s degree of relevant There are two types of higher edu- field of studies or Master`s decation institutions in Lithuania: gree and qualification is acquired. universities and colleges. Studies Third cycle studies are held in are organized in three cycles: first science (art) doctorate. cycle - Bachelor or Professional Bachelor, second cycle - Master and third cycle – Doctorate.

According to the form of studies they can be of different intensity - continued and extended.

First cycle college studies programs are more focused on prep-

aration for professional activities. Upon completion of these studies the professional Bachelor degree of relevant field of studies or Bachelor degree and qualification is acquired that certifies Professional Bachelor’s diploma.

First cycle university studies programs provide universal basic education, are more focused on the theoretical background and the highest level of professional skills.

Upon completion of doctoral studies and a doctoral thesis (or art project) defend the Doctor`s degree in science (art) is acquired.

High schools may conduct joint degree programs upon completion of which a joint degree is acquired and also the programs leading to a double degree.

All the information about learning opportunities in Lithuania you can find at the following sites: www.aikos.lt and www.studyinlithuania.lt. Good luck in finding your way! The roots of education are bitter, but its fruit is sweet!

Centre Plius News No.11, 2014

EDUCATION SERVICES FOR THIRD-COUNTRY NATIONALS Education is a key factor which

determines a person`s involvement in the society and provides stability and security of livelihood. The modern society has created a fairly effective and flexible system of education.

We have spoken with the thirdcountry nationals (hereafter – TCNs), who had chosen to study in Lithuania. The article presents their opinion, discusses study choosing issues and presents an attitude towards availability of Lithuanian education system for foreigners.

A native of Pakistan K. K. who had chosen social work studies in Lithuania said that he was very happy with his choice: “I love my studies and my university. Teachers are open, cooperative and welcome students’ initiatives. I absolutely do not feel the difference that I am a foreigner. There is no such a subject or thing in my study program or at university, which I dislike or which depresses me.”

Pakistani claimed that the Lithuanian education system was acceptable to him because of the fact that a young man had a lot more opportunities there than in his native Pakistan. “Students in Lithuania have so many opportunities and so many modern ways of studying that it is just impossible not to want to study. They are offered everything, and the only thing they have to do – is to choose, if they want or not. If not, then you can not blame the education system saying that it was bad, because you had chosen yourself not to study, but not the system forced you,” - said the guy. The social work student stressed that there was not such a specialty in Pakistan,

so he had chosen to come to Lithuania. “In fact, my cousin was studying in Lithuania and his experience motivated me. I wanted to work for people, so it was not difficult to me to leave my country. In that way I could fulfill my desire. And I have honestly to admit that I do not regret about my decision,” – told us K. K.

to do next, after completing the studies.” When asked, whether the local language and cultural differences affected her learning process, she admitted that both teachers and students were always ready to help, only she needed to ask for help. “When I chose to study Cultural management and politics, I knew that the studies would be held in Lithuanian language and it Belarussian A. A. who studies Cul- would be a considerable challenge. tural management and politics at I remember the first reactions of Vilnius Academy of Arts also sup- teachers. They were surprised, ported the earlier expressed view: “I have got a Bachelor`s degree in Lithuania. Then I decided that I wanted to get a Master`s degree in Lithuania as well, because I liked it here. I see the prospects and studies are interesting to me and I will get not only a diploma, but also knowledge. Here, differently than in my native Belarus, the education system serves the student. Here I feel more freedom, cooperation and the greater opportunities for development. And at the same time, I am free to choose what I want

Centre Plius News No.11, 2014

because I was the only foreigner in the group and had only basic knowledge of Lithuanian language. But I experienced the permanent support by teachers and cooperation in looking for materials or translating from Lithuanian language. It was a complete acceptance. I want to believe that in other universities also work nice people, and I am not the only one who was so lucky,” - laughing shared her experience the girl from Belarus.

At the end of conversation, Senior specialists of studies at Faculty of Law at Vilnius University, who supervise and administer international study programs and advise students on study issues said that in most cases they had to deal with citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Belarus. “We work with foreigners on a daily basis. Most often we communicate in English and the other predominant language is Russian. There is no language barrier, because all foreign students speak one of these languages.

Another thing is cultural differ

ences. They really are, because students come from all over the world.

Very often differs the perception of coming to lectures in time, required submission of documents and specific content of letters.

Sometimes the students want to communicate directly, informally and a university employee or a lecturer is treated as a “buddy”. Those situations contain a lot of fun, then both students and staff are learning about the cultural differences,” – their work experience shared specialists. They also emphasized that despite a smooth cooperation

among Vilnius University and foreign universities, it would be useful to specify information about study options every year, also to specify information on language levels and pay more attention to the students` enrollment into post studies scientific activities.

Education depends on both – a student and the possibilities of education system. A human, who is inquisitive, adventurous and open to challenges will take the full advantage of opportunities.

The newspaper is published, implementing the project “Consultation and information centre PLUS” according the European Fund for the Integration of third-country nationals, annual Programme 2012

CENTRE PLUS · A.Smetonos street 5, room No 302 · Vilnius Tel.: 85 261 74 82 / 8 605 77 245 Email: centre@tja.lt · www.facebook.com (search for: Centre Plus) Working days: Monday to Friday · Opening hours: 11:30 to 15:30 and 16:30 to 20:30