Students in grades five to seven will have their foreign language lessons reduced.

      Starting from September 1, 2026, classes will be held for two hours a week instead of three. From the new academic year, the number of foreign language lessons for middle school students in Russian schools will change. According to information from RIA Novosti, this was announced by the rector of Moscow Pedagogical State University Alexey Lubkov. According to the plans of the Ministry of Education, starting from September 1, 2026, the time for studying a foreign language for students in grades 5-7 will be reduced from three to two hours per week. Thus, the total volume of classes over three years will decrease from 510 to 408 hours. As the rector explained, this decision is aimed at optimizing the academic load and more rationally distributing time in the school curriculum. At the same time, foreign language remains a mandatory subject. For students in grades 8 and 9, the volume of classes will not change — they will still study the language for three hours a week. Earlier, the ministry noted that the adjustment is aimed at reducing pressure on students without compromising the basic mastery of the curriculum.