Lithuania is phasing out the use of Russian and is now actively seeking Spanish teachers

Saturday, Nov 8, 2025

El Confidencial

Lithuania boosts Spanish education as citizens replace Russian instruction due to geopolitical shifts.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

In Lithuania, Spanish is currently a highly valued language, and teaching it is particularly sought after. Due to geopolitical tensions with Russia following conflicts, Lithuanian authorities have reduced or replaced Russian instruction in schools. Consequently, interest in Spanish has surged, with enrollment increasing significantly compared to the decline in Russian learners. This demand has led to incentives for Spanish teachers, including a €400 bonus. Experts suggest this rise is linked to dissatisfaction with Russian and Spanish being perceived as an accessible, useful European language. The text also notes global growth in Spanish speakers and learners. Lithuania’s commitment includes a cooperation agreement with Spain to improve teacher training, establishing a Cervantes Institute branch locally, and offering financial incentives for teachers. Furthermore, other Baltic countries are also phasing out Russian instruction.

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