Firdavs from Tajikistan shares his reflections about LANGUAGE, WORK and FUTURE "We all know the importance of learning foreign languages. It is also clear that multilingualism in today's fast changing world is one of the most useful life skills and the one, who has this skill, is undoubtedly successful. Let me emphasize this fact, that learning foreign languages we do not only learn a language but truly open up ourselves a bright window and build a strong bridge to communicate and connect with others and understand what others say. In this post I would like to express my view regarding learning Lithuanian language and its challenges for citizens from Tajikistan, who are granted refugee status or migrant status in Lithuania and are integrating in different cities of Lithuania. Most of tajiks are educated but the lack of basic Lithuanian knowledge is felt. As we decided to live here permanently, it is necessary to learn local language. We should not forget that while we are living here, this language can give us advantages, such as a dream work, good education, better life, a bright future and so on. We cannot consistently ask for an interpreter or a translator to be our shadow and do our work and carry out our businesses. Without knowing language, we cannot find and have a great dream job. The more skills and language you have and know, the more likely you find a good job and have a successful career. It happened to me. Recently I applied to some companies, banks, agencies for a job, but because of weak level of Lithuanian language, they did not hire me. So, it is absolutely my fault. And now I made a conclusion that knowing a relevant language will not only help me get a better job, but it can take me to the ladder of success. Language can easily open doors, doors of success and bright future at multinational and international companies, which are working in Lithuania. Many good jobs require knowing Lithuanian language. If we do not know Lithuanian language, then we have to accept physical works, which don’t open any door to us... For those who are eager and willing to learn Lithuanian, I think there is a number of language learning programs. Caritas is one of them. Or there are some free online courses. We just need to leave our comfort zone and make a first step and we will see the result. From my own experience, I can surely point out that one of the major challenges and barriers we are facing is the language. It is like a huge wall in front of us. It is acceptable that Lithuanian is one of the most difficult languages of the world, especially it is complicated grammar. But I think it cannot be a reason to avoid learning it. Everything is possible! We can pull down the wall! Let me give you a hint. For those who know at least one foreign language except their mother tongue, learning the new language due to structure and grammar can be a bit easier. For instance, I know Russian, English, Persian, and a bit German. When I started to learn Lithuanian language, it didn’t seem so hard for me. So, the more languages you know, the easier it should be to learn. And it is worthy to mention that fluency and skills in one language assist us in the process of learning other languages. Unfortunately, the majority of us don’t know our own language. What I first did, was doing some research related to this language, it's root, structure and forms. And right away I started to learn it step by step, and day by day. As a new learner I saw a lot of cross-linguistic similarities. That was undeniable strategy, that I realized that languages reinforce one another and strengthen skills to learn new languages. It helped me. I attend in language lessons (Caritas) two days in a week regardless of busy schedule and within 4-5 months of learning I passed my first test and got the certificate of first category in Lithuanian language. Now, although my language level is not strong, but I am able to understand people's conversations and continually investing effort to understand the language. I am happy that I have the base.I recommend all to show enthusiasm, love, and interest in the path of learning languages. Perhaps strengthening some factors might be helpful. Maybe people are suffering of lack of motivation or absence of professional class environment with a high qualified teacher. I mean, that refugees came from different cultural and environmental and religious backgrounds and it is not easy to deal and teach them. Perhaps some new easy methods of teaching through games, through something funny might be helpful, some ways to encourage them to attend the class and open themselves".
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