The Integration Foundation invites learners of Estonian to join the Language Friends programme, which offers an opportunity to practise the language with volunteer mentors. The number of places is limited, and registration opens on Monday, 9 February at 7:00 a.m.
“The Language Friends programme helps language learners speak Estonian more confidently and offers an opportunity to practise the language in everyday conversations in a supportive and relaxed atmosphere. It helps learners to overcome the fear of speaking. As the number of places is limited, we encourage language learners to register at the first opportunity on Monday morning,” said Ave Landrat, Head of the Language Friends programme.
Language learners who have reached level B1 or higher in their Estonian studies are welcome to participate, meaning they are able to express themselves when discussing everyday topics. The learner will have conversations with a mentor on freely chosen topics once a week or more often over a three-month period, until 14 May. A communication channel suitable for both parties will be chosen, such as Zoom, MS Teams or by phone. Adult residents of Estonia are welcome to participate in the programme.
Learners of Estonian can join the Language Friends programme on the Integration Foundation’s website starting Monday, 9 February at 7:00 a.m.: https://integratsioon.ee/en/language-friends/learners.
Matching language learners with mentors will begin immediately after the registration period ends and may take some time, as the preferences indicated in the questionnaires regarding the format of conversations, time, communication channel and interests will be taken into account. Mentors and language learners are asked to wait for notifications from the organisers.
The Integration Foundation has been organising the Language Friends programme for the seventh year. Over the previous six seasons, the programme has brought together nearly 7,400 language friends.
The activities are carried out with the support of the European Union’s 2021–2027 Cohesion Policy and Internal Security Funds and within the framework of Project No. 2021-2027.4.07.23-0006 of Decree No. 80 of the Minister of Culture of 15 March 2023 ‘Conditions for granting support for carrying out activities supporting integration, including adaptation, in Estonian society’.
