Language Support at School for Newcomer Children

Support is available for your child

If your child does not speak Lithuanian when they start school in Lithuania, they are not alone — and schools are expected to provide support. You do not need to wait until your child is fluent before enrolling them. Getting your child into school promptly is the most important step.

Levelling (equalisation) classes

Lithuania's education system includes levelling or equalisation classes (lygiagrečios ar išlyginamosios klasės) for children who arrive without Lithuanian language skills. These are designed to help newcomer children catch up to the level of their peers. The format and availability can vary between municipalities and individual schools, but in general:

• Children who do not speak Lithuanian may be placed in a special group or given adapted lessons to develop language skills alongside their regular schooling
• Some schools provide intensive Lithuanian-language instruction during the school day
• Children are typically integrated into mainstream classes as their language skills develop

The goal is to help your child participate fully in school life as quickly as possible, at their own pace.

Additional support at school

Beyond language classes, schools may offer:

• An assigned support teacher or mentor to help your child settle in
• Adjusted learning plans while your child is developing Lithuanian language skills
• Psychological and social support through the school's counselling staff (psichologas, socialinis pedagogas)

Not all schools have the same resources. It is worth asking the school directly what support they can provide when your child enrols.

Who to ask

• The school's director (direktorius) or deputy for education (direktoriaus pavaduotojas ugdymui) — ask about language support arrangements when enrolling
• The school's social pedagogue (socialinis pedagogas) — they can help connect your family with the right resources
• Your municipality's education department (savivaldybės švietimo skyrius) — they coordinate language support provision across schools and can advise if your school cannot meet your child's needs
• Migrant support organisations such as IOM Lithuania or Caritas Lietuva — they can help you communicate with the school if there is a language barrier

A note for parents

It is normal for children to feel anxious or overwhelmed in a new school where they do not understand the language. This usually improves with time. Staying in regular contact with the school, asking questions, and reaching out to community groups for peer support for your family can all help. You are entitled to ask what support your child is receiving and how you can help at home.