Kindergarten in Comrat introduces innovative trilingual learning model
A kindergarten in Comrat is preparing to launch an important educational project that will cater to three nursery groups. In these groups, children will be taught in Gagauz, Romanian, or Russian, depending on the parents' preferences. This initiative, set to begin in the fall of next year, has already generated significant interest from many families in the city.
In Gagauzia, kindergartens offer children the opportunity to learn Gagauz and Romanian, with Russian serving as an auxiliary language. Kindergarten No. 5 in Comrat aims to ensure that young children become proficient in one of these three languages, with the choice influenced by their family environment.
Elena Patraman, the director of Kindergarten No. 5, explains, “If Russian is spoken in the family, or if there are grandparents, aunts, or uncles who speak Russian, then parents can choose the Gagauz-language group. Conversely, if Gagauz is the family's native language and the child communicates in Russian with friends, the Romanian-language group can be selected.”
The kindergarten is prepared to implement this multilingual project, as the entire staff possesses the qualifications needed to create an inclusive educational environment. Teacher Elena Șlemscaia expresses her enthusiasm, stating, “As a native speaker, I am ready to work and can foster an environment where children can think and dream in the Gagauz language.”
Olesea Palciar, a mother of four with three children already attending Kindergarten No. 5, supports this initiative. She believes that allowing parents to choose their children's language of instruction is a crucial step for their development and for honoring the linguistic diversity in Comrat. “I think this is a wonderful initiative and a great opportunity for our children to learn the language their parents prefer from an early age,” says Olesea.
Another mother, who wishes to enroll her daughter in the Romanian-language group, also endorses the idea. “From my own experience, I can say that until I was in an environment where another language was spoken, I struggled to learn it. Here, children will learn foreign languages while also mastering our official language,” shares Anastasia Șcerbina.
The three language groups will be established by September 2026.
