A study of Ukrainian new speakers and their attitudes toward language policies in Poland

This article investigates language-related issues that have emerged in Poland as Russia’s aggression against Ukraine gave rise to a wave of Ukrainian refugees, most of whom found refuge in Poland. In June 2023 Poland implemented stricter language requirements for foreign nationals seeking long-term resident permits in the EU. Applicants must have the State B1 certificate in Polish as a Foreign Language. Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education provided opportunities for Ukrainian refugees to learn Polish through individual and group training within Krajowy Fundusz Szkoleniowy (National Training Fund). For children, schools offer extra Polish language classes, studying in bilingual school departments and education in the form of preparatory classes in which the teaching process is adapted to the needs and educational possibilities of students. This paper discusses current policies concerning Polish language education for both adult Ukrainian migrants and their children entering the Polish educational system in order to examine the language learning opportunities for Ukrainian refugees. Moreover, the purpose of this article is to investigate to what extent young and adult migrants take advantage of language education opportunities and what the implications of this are. To study this, I first analyze current language planning and policies and then I summarize questionnaire responses from two samples of Ukrainian students. This study shows that the majority of participants had positive comments and experiences concerning language learning policies introduced in Poland to support Ukrainian refugees. Furthermore, Ukrainian refugees in Poland are familiar with governmental policies which help “newcomers” learn Polish. Ukrainians mostly take advantage of language learning opportunities by learning at schools (both private and public).