The European Union has started a program of foreign-language phrases on public transportation, beginning with Lithuanian, English and Polish on Vilnius, Lithuania, language buses.
Other languages on buses, trains, and trams will follow in other countries.
Given that there are worksheets that can be scored, some people might actually learn something. However, they might not learn much over the year of the plan:
On Vilnius’ trolleybuses they say one year is enough time for them to teach people how to introduce themselves, ask for directions, and – eventually – to ask if they can get off the bus.
Of course, if they don’t use these phrases for communication, they’ll just forget all or most of them. They might not reach their language goals, but they at least will reach their destinations.
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