Preschool Institutions to Engage School Teachers or Entrepreneurs for English Language Teaching - Ministry of Education

According to new initiatives from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, preschool institutions will be allowed to hire school teachers or individual entrepreneurs (FOPs) to teach English. This information was revealed by Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine for preschool education, Anastasia Konovalova, who shared details of the new measures in a conversation with a correspondent from Ukrinform.

Anastasia Konovalova noted that starting from September 1, 2026, the study of the English language in senior groups of preschool institutions will not only become mandatory but also free of charge for children. This means that all preschool education establishments are required to provide English language instruction for children aged 5 to 6 years.

According to Konovalova, preschool institutions can organize English language learning in various ways. Specifically, there is the possibility of introducing a separate position for an English language teacher, which will amount to approximately 0.25 of a full-time position for each senior preschool group. At the same time, according to the new Law of Ukraine on Preschool Education, kindergartens can engage English language teachers through contracts with individual entrepreneurs or enter into agreements with schools that have qualified specialists.

Furthermore, institutions can organize learning through online platforms, where an English language teacher works remotely while a caregiver supervises the children in the group offline. This opens up new opportunities for children to receive English language knowledge in a convenient format.

Anastasia Konovalova also emphasized that this is not about traditional lessons but rather about introducing children to the language through play. For children aged 5 to 6 years, the optimal duration of sessions is 20-25 minutes, with frequent changes in activities every 5-7 minutes, which helps maintain the attention and interest of young learners. She noted that effective approaches combine speech with physical activity, utilizing the KISS principle (Keep it Short and Simple) for clear and understandable instructions in English, as well as forming daily speech routines, such as greetings, farewells, and short phrases.

Konovalova also highlighted the importance of play tools, such as puppets or characters, which increase children's engagement. The main goal of such activities is not to teach rules or grammar but to foster a positive attitude towards the language and prepare children for more systematic learning in school.

To support educators, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, in collaboration with the Linguist publishing house, has developed a Methodological Guide for educators, which contains practical recommendations for planning and conducting English language lessons in senior groups of preschool education institutions. This document will serve as a valuable tool for educators seeking to implement new teaching methodologies.

Additionally, educators can take advantage of the national platform, the Ukrainian English Language Teacher Learning Platform, which was created based on international experience and modern approaches to early language learning. The platform's content was developed in collaboration with the British Council and the Cambridge University Press & Assessment. A specialized section for educators includes five methodological sections and 49 educational materials totaling 30 hours, which are oriented towards practical application and adapted to the age characteristics of preschool children.

It is important to note that according to the Law of Ukraine on the Application of the English Language in Ukraine and the Law of Ukraine on Preschool Education, from September 1, 2026, the study of the English language for children aged 5-6 years will become a mandatory component of the educational process in all preschool education institutions. This reflects the growing attention to foreign language learning at early stages of education, which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the future of our children.

Join our channels on Telegram, Instagram, and YouTube to stay updated on the latest news in the field of education.