Trips to the Botanical Garden, the Estonian Open Air Museum and even the Viking Village – all of these become part of learning the Estonian language. Estonia offers free specialised courses where the language is taught not only from textbooks, but through culture, excursions, and live communication. A RusDelfi correspondent attended one of these classes and found out how adult learners overcome their fear of speaking Estonian.
The article was originally published in the news portal rus.delfi.ee.
‘Even at my respectable age, one can and should learn a language!’
Monday, almost five o’clock. Those who have been coming here for several months gradually begin to enter the classroom. Conversations almost immediately switch to Estonian. The atmosphere resembles a gathering of acquaintances more than an ordinary language course.
‘Let’s boost our Estonian!’ the newcomers smile as they settle at the tables.
There are hardly any young people here – mostly older adults. There are also senior citizens. A cheerful blonde woman adjusts her scarf and carefully takes a worn notebook and pen out of her handbag.
‘Even at my respectable age, one can and should learn a language!’ she remarks cheerfully.
The handwritten pages make it immediately clear that the notebook has long been a constant companion. Inside are Estonian words, phrases, complete sentences, and handwritten notes. The others also begin preparing for the lesson: some arrange their materials, some revise vocabulary, while others discuss something with their neighbours at the table. The teacher asks everyone to register their attendance and briefly checks the list of participants.
Gradually the classroom falls silent. Everyone takes their places in groups – the lesson begins. For now, the work is carried out in small teams: participants discuss assignments, select words and try to speak as much Estonian as possible.
To create a language environment, volunteers work at every table
In the classroom is teacher and linguist Ülle Rannut. Speaking to the journalist, she emphasises that these sessions cannot be called ordinary language courses. There is no strict division by proficiency level and no classical teaching model.
‘We state that an approximate A2 level is required, but after that it does not really matter how advanced a person’s language skills are. We try to make it interesting for everyone – both for those who are only beginning to speak and for those whose level is already very good,’ she explains.
According to Rannut, the groups usually consist of around 15 people. Meetings take place twice a month in the classroom and twice more in the form of educational excursions. At present, participants are studying the topic of nature, and the most recent trip was devoted to the Viking Village.
The main feature of the programme is its focus not on grammar but on overcoming the language barrier. ‘This is not a course where a person comes in order to pass a particular examination. The main problem people face is that they simply have no one with whom to speak Estonian,’ says Ülle Rannut.
To create a language environment, native Estonian-speaking volunteers work at every table. Participants can communicate freely both with one another and with the volunteers. ‘Our goal is for a person to stop being afraid to open their mouth and start speaking Estonian. We want them to speak automatically rather than thinking every second, “I am speaking Estonian now”,’ the teacher notes. According to her, many participants later admit that they feel more confident in an Estonian-speaking environment and are less afraid of communication.
The language barrier disappears much faster
The programme is built around cultural and social topics: nature, sustainability, history, traditions, and contemporary life in Estonia. To support this, games, vocabulary cards, videos, mind maps, and practical assignments are used.
‘A topic may seem complicated, but it can be discussed in simple terms. For example, we talk about community gardens, green spaces, and renewable energy. Or we study the Vikings – afterwards the participants even write runes and make their own rune stones,’ says Rannut.
There are indeed photographs of runes on the classroom walls. There are also many teaching materials and game cards that help explain the topic of the lesson. All of this is actively used in language learning.
Particular attention is paid to practical participation. During lessons, participants have, for example, studied aromatic herbs – smelling them, sorting them, and grinding them in a mortar.
‘Many people are kinaesthetic learners. When they do something with their hands, the language barrier disappears much more quickly,’ explains the teacher.
According to Ülle, the main obstacle in language learning often turns out to be not linguistic but psychological. That is why the project involves even a volunteer psychologist who helps people cope with their fear of communication. ‘The most important thing is to start speaking. Once a person stops being afraid, they acquire the language much more quickly,’ she is convinced.
The language was still not sufficient for full communication
For many participants, learning Estonian is not only a necessity but also a way to feel part of society. Galina, a kindergarten teacher originally from Ukraine, says that she has lived in Estonia for many years and that her son Ruslan was born here. Despite her many years of living in the country and working in a Russian-speaking nursery school, she admits that the language was still not sufficient for full communication and confidence in everyday life.
‘I am an early childhood education teacher. I studied Estonian, passed examinations and obtained the required qualification, but then I continued working in a Russian-speaking nursery school, so there was little practice,’ she says.
According to Galina, the new specialised courses differ from ordinary language classes in that language learning here is closely connected with the culture, history, and way of life of the country. Participants not only attend classroom sessions but also go on excursions and become acquainted with the traditions and nature of Estonia.
‘It is no longer simply language as an end in itself. You want to understand the culture, the history, and the people. It is very interesting that everything here is interconnected: music, art, excursions, and communication,’ she explains.
‘People need more than just language learning’
Galina is particularly impressed by the motivation of Ukrainians who have recently arrived in Estonia. She gives the example of one course participant who managed to master the language well within just a few years.
‘I have enormous respect for such people. She is highly motivated and already speaks fluently,’ the woman notes.
According to her, opportunities for learning the language have increased significantly today: online courses, volunteer programmes, conversation clubs, and specialised integration projects. ‘Those who genuinely want to learn the language now have tremendous opportunities. The key is motivation,’ Galina believes.
She adds that she herself continues to attend language courses and tries to support her son in learning Estonian. At the same time, she admits that studying is already more difficult at her age and that some situations still cause stress.
‘His level is already good, while I still find it difficult. But I still have to learn – in order to understand people, feel more confident, and be part of this community,’ she says.
In the opinion of the course participant, programmes of this kind are especially important for those who have recently moved to Estonia and are only beginning to become acquainted with the country. ‘People need more than just language learning. They need to understand the culture, how people live and how they think. Then integration happens in a completely different way,’ Galina is convinced.
Integration Foundation invites adult residents of Estonia from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds to participate in programmes starting in March and taking place in Tallinn, Tartu and Pärnu. The programmes offer an opportunity to develop Estonian language skills through real-life communication and to gain a deeper understanding of Estonian culture and traditions.
The programme includes:
- workshops and discussions (a total of 20 academic hours), where we talk about life and culture in Estonia;
- joint study visits (a total of five visits), during which we will visit museums, exhibitions and take part in guided tours.
Where and when?
Meetings and study visits take place on weekday evenings or at weekends, so you can participate alongside work or studies.
Registration: iseteenidus.integratsioon.ee
The activities have been co-financed by the Swiss Confederation to reduce economic and social disparities in the European Union. The Swiss-Estonian cooperation programme supports activities that help people of different nationalities and linguistic backgrounds to better integrate into Estonian society. The programme aims to foster a feeling of unity and provide opportunities for participating in cultural and educational activities. Support is provided, for example, for learning Estonian, getting to know Estonian culture, developing digital services and volunteering, and events that bring together people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. The activities of the programme help participants to better understand life in Estonia and find their place in society. The programme is implemented by the Ministry of Culture in cooperation with the Integration Foundation and other partners.
