Šiaulių rusakalbių mokinių požiūris j lietuvių kalbos vartoseną

ENA survey of Russian-speaking pupils' attitude towards the Lithuanian language was performed in the "Santarvės" Russian school of Šiauliai. Having analyzed the answers of 100 pupils, the aspects of both positive and negative attitude of respondents towards the Lithuanian language was noticed. What concerns the positive points, it is worth mentioning the following ones: 1) 9 6% of Russianspeaking pupils from Šiauliai speak Lithuanian; 2) it is important to speak the Lithuanian language for 84% of respondents; 3) 7 9% of respondents state that the Lithuanian language is necessary as a means of communication; 4) 6 5% of respondents think that lessons of the Lithuanian language are necessary; 5) 5 3% of respondents think that Lithuanian is a beautiful language; 6} 3 9% of pupils feel motivation to speak Lithuanian without anybody's pressure; 7) 1 7%of respondents would like to have more lessons of the Lithuanian language in their school. Almost half of respondents like to speak Lithuanian. Most pupils positively evaluate the features of the Lithuanian language, i.e. it is ancient, sonorous, etc. More than two thirds of respondents think that it is important to speak Lithuanian because they live in Lithuania. Moreover, the ability to speak the language helps them to understand themselves as part of the nation. Lithuanian is a means of communication with the residents of the country and a guarantee of the future creation. Referring to the negative aspect in regard to the Lithuanian language, it is important to stress that 50% of pupils do not feel the motivation to speak it.