If you arrive in a new country without speaking the language, you will be very grateful if the locals speak English, which is widely spoken by foreigners everywhere. In fact, the widespread use of English has a positive effect on immigration, particularly skilled immigration.
For most people, Lithuania is a blind spot on the map, and many believe that this former Soviet country is stuck in the past.
But what is the truth? How easy is it to get around in Lithuania without knowing the local language?
Lithuania has experienced long periods of occupation, and the sense of independence is palpable throughout the country. Lithuanians cherish their identity and their language equally. This is especially important given that one of their neighbours is the previous occupant and Belarus, which is not a good example when it comes to preserving its own language, is another.
Long story short: Lithuanian language is an important part of the country's culture, and Lithuanians value and appreciate it when foreigners learn and speak the language.
Lithuania experienced a significant increase in emigration, particularly to the United Kingdom and Germany, during and after the financial crisis of 2008.
These days, the issue of emigration seems to have been resolved, thanks to a booming economy and a high number of job vacancies. Lithuanians who return from abroad bring with them not only experience, but also foreign language skills, primarily English.
The latest census, taken in 2021, shows that 31.1. % of all Lithuanians speak English as a foreign language.
The English language is particularly widespread among foreigners, tourists and locals in the capital, Vilnius. However, residents of other cities such as Kaunas and KlaipΔda also welcome foreigners and try their best to find a common language.
If you are a foreigner and want to find out if the person you are talking to speaks English, you should remember the following phrase: 'Ar jus kalbate angliΕ‘kai?'. If you receive a 'taip' in response to this question, you can continue the conversation in English.
It's not just the Lithuanian population that is becoming more international and diverse; the employers are too. Many foreign companies are establishing branches in Lithuania, focusing on production, defense and fintech. These international employers value English-speaking professionals, particularly since many of these jobs are not aimed at the Lithuanian market, but at other countries.
The most popular Lithuanian job boards, which are popular among locals, do not see the need to adapt their job search engine for international users.
Workwork.lt is filling the gap by offering hundreds of jobs in Lithuania that do not require knowledge of the local language.