COMMUNICATIVE ADAPTATION OF UKRAINIANS, WHO FLED THE WAR, TO THE LIFE IN THE UK

Abstract

The full-scale war launched by the Russian Federation against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, forced over 8 million Ukrainians to seek refuge abroad. The UK, hosting approximately 217,000 Ukrainian refugees, became one of the main destinations. One of the critical challenges faced by Ukrainian refugees was their communicative adaptation, essential for integration into British society and the labor market. This study explores the communicative adaptation of Ukrainians who fled the war, analyzing factors influencing their language acquisition and confidence in English communication. A survey was conducted among 72 Ukrainian migrants attending language courses at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU). The research aimed to examine the correlation between the duration of stay in the UK, participation in language courses, interaction with sponsors, and perceived improvement in English proficiency. Findings indicate that prolonged cohabitation with British sponsors positively influenced language acquisition and ease of communication. While 77.8% of respondents had some level of English proficiency, confidence in speaking English varied. The study also reveals that fluency is the most desired skill among respondents, followed by basic English knowledge and business communication abilities. Importantly, social adaptation and career prospects were the primary motivations for learning English, with professional needs outweighing travel-related motivations. The findings provide practical recommendations for improving ESL (English as a Second Language) programs for Ukrainian refugees in the UK, ensuring more effective integration into British society.