Dawlewicz: Polish as a second language is a huge chance in many dimensions

The registration for the state certification exams in the Polish language at the levels B1, B2, C1, C2 continues. – It is a great option, not only for Lithuanian citizens.- reassures the director of the Polish Studies Center at Vilnius University doc. dr Mirosław Dawlewicz.

The director emphasizes that this is the only state certification exam,  after which you may obtain a document confirming the knowledge of the Polish language.

The Polish Studies Center at Vilnius University is the only center in Lithuania which received the permission for conducting such exams. The decision was received from Poland, from the National Agency for Academic Exchange. This offer has only been available since last year. Previously, our lecturers were monitored to see if they met the requirements of the examiners- emphasizes Dawlewicz in her interview to LRT.It.

The unified exam takes place on the same day in all licensed centers four times a year. The nearest date of the exam is April 15-16 for people with the B1-C1 level of Polish. These are consecutively the intermediate and advanced levels.

The exam consists of two parts. The first one is written and the second one is oral. A person passing such exam receives the corresponding number of points, which is summed up. After successfully passing the exam, the person receives a certificate.

The registration for the exam has already started. – Absolutely anyone can apply for participation, not only Lithuanian citizens. So we have people from Belarus, Ukraine or even Armenia. They usually need such certificate to work or study in Poland. Some foreigners apply for Polish citizenship, so they also need a certificate – explains the Doctor of Philology.

Before the exam, on March 25, a workshop for everyone interested in obtaining a certificate is organized at the Faculty of Philology of Vilnius University. The classes will be co-led by the experts from the Faculty of Polish Studies at the University of Wrocław. – University lecturers will come to Vilnius. They have extensive experience in conducting such type of exams. The first part of the workshop is devoted to discussing the structure of all tasks. The instructors will talk about the methods of testing, listening comprehension, reading, writing and grammar tasks. The second part is devoted to the practical part, i.e. solving exemplary tasks and analyzing the text at various levels – says the director.

– We cooperate with the Wrocław University as a part of the project we are implementing this year called  “Test your Polish in Lithuania. Disseminating the Polish Language Certification System Abroad”. We are conducting the exam in this form for the first time, which is why the participation of specialists from Poland as members of the examination committee is an obligatory condition – adds the philologist.

Commenting on the discussion about teaching Polish as a foreign language at schools, which has been widely discussed in the media, Dawlewicz emphasizes that Vilnius University supports this idea from the very beginning. – This is an opportunity for the graduates of Polish philology. However, I do not know why this idea raises objections and fears. It is primarily the promotion of the Polish language. I think the project is feasible because we have different learning plans which we are now adapting to possible changes. We propose a change of qualifications for teachers who may need it. We may observe that the topic of the Polish language is on a roll in the media. What we are talking about is changing the curriculum. It doesn’t necessarily have to be an undergraduate degree. A teacher who has already a pedagogical education may change his or her specialization. We provide such opportunity by presenting a program shortened to a few semesters. You can also choose a postgraduate degree – the director of the Polish Studies Center presents the offer.

You can find all the information  on the website of the Vilnius University. You will be able to find out more in May, when the recruitment for higher education begins.

The workshop will take place less than a month before the exam – on March 25 – at Vilnius University (Room Donelaitisa, str. Universiteto 3). The workshop program will be made available on the website of the Faculty of Philology of Vilnius University: https://www.flf.vu.lt/.

Participation in the workshops is free of charge, reservation is required at: polkatedra@flf.vu.lt. The message should include your name, surname and the level at which you plan to take the exam. We are waiting for your applications until March 15 this year.