In an effort to support the millions of families that have had to take refuge as a result of the conflict in Ukraine, Trinity College London introduced a special round of the Language Access Fund in 2022.
Trinity’s Language Access Fund is specifically designed to support those who experience barriers to accessing English language training and qualifications. Teachers and organisations working with Ukrainian learners around the world were encouraged to apply for funding in this special round to help with the costs of lessons, equipment, materials or exams.
International House Kyiv was awarded grant funding to support learners not just in Ukraine, but also those Ukrainian nationals who had to migrate to other countries due to the conflict. The funding awarded by Trinity College London was used to support International House Kyiv with the costs of running lessons both in-person and online. It also helped with the costs of purchasing equipment and English language learning materials and was a great benefit to all of the students at IH Kyiv.
It's amazing to see how much of a difference this funding has made to the lives of the learners in Ukraine, and that it extended its reach to support Ukrainian nationals in other countries around the world.
Tetyana Oratovska, Director, International House Kyiv explained that:
“Living in a foreign country in such a situation has become a challenging experience for many Ukrainian nationals. Adjusting to new cultures, customs, and ways of life has been overwhelming for many of our clients.
However, having even a basic understanding of the English language facilitated the process of integration and enhanced the overall living experience for many of them.”
In a letter of appreciation to Trinity College London, Tetyana expressed her gratitude and sincerest thanks, declaring that the grant funding had made a ‘significant difference’ to the lives of their clients.
Despite the ongoing conflict, International House Kyiv, with the support of Trinity’s Language Access Fund, has been able to equip its learners with the tools they need to overcome the challenges of living in a foreign country and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.