Georgia introduces compulsory lessons of English at universities

In accordance with the order of Dmitry Shashkin, Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, in the new 2011-2012 academic year teaching English will become mandatory in the universities of Georgia. This was reported by the Ministry's statement released on August 5.

To obtain a bachelor's degree, students will be required to successfully pass the English exam. The Minister’s order applies only to the accredited and authorized universities.

"The policy of the state is to raise students' interest in learning English, which has an international academic status, so that the citizens of Georgia would be able to integrate into the European environment and fully realize their potential," the Ministry of Education and Science states.

Those students who have TOEFL certificate or other certificate confirming the proficiency in English and having international recognition, will be exempted from the English exam, the "News-Georgia" reports.

The order of the Minister of Education and Science of Georgia is extended to those students, who will begin their studies in the universities this year, the "Georgia Online" reports.