LAL courses featured in support package to help Ukraine

The WELS School of Languages and Applied Linguistics (LAL) has contributed to a new Open University support package for Ukrainian refugees.

Building on the OU’s announcement to waive fees for existing Ukrainian students, the package has been designed to help those who have fled the war settle into their new lives in the UK and Ireland.

Part of the package is a hub of online free resources on OpenLearn, with LAL courses and articles covering everything from tips on how to plan new self-care routines, ways for supporting children’s mental health to Everyday English courses for improving speaking, listening, writing and reading skills.

A further course will be added later this summer, which will allow host families – as well as professionals and colleagues working with Ukrainians – to learn the language and understand more about the country’s culture.

Dr Mirjam Hauck, Ukrainian Culture and Language Course Lead and Associate Head of School of Languages and Applied Linguistics, said of the cultural and language course:

“We hope this will be a really valuable free course and that a community will develop while learners progress through the course and share experiences and insights. As well as learning the language, course participants will find out about what Ukraine was like before the invasion, its geography, healthcare and education systems, history, and ethnic and religious diversity.

“Ukrainian will be taught via the medium of English, but some key information, such as differences between the healthcare and education systems in the UK and Ukraine, will also be available in Ukrainian, so it can be shared directly with Ukrainian friends.” 

The support package also offers the chance to apply for one of 12 Sanctuary Scholarships, as part of the Open Futures Sanctuary Scholarships programme.