Everyone who is fluent in Estonian can support Estonian language learners in practising their language skills by joining the Estonian Language Friends Program Keelesõber as a volunteer Estonian language mentor. The Integration Foundation, which has launched the fifth season of the Program, invites all those interested to register on its website on 7 February at the latest.
‘The more Estonian speakers register as mentors, the more language learners will have the much-needed opportunity to chat in Estonian. We welcome anyone who is fluent in Estonian and can chat with a language learner online in Estonian for as little as an hour a week,‘ said Ave Landrat, head of the Language Friends Program Keelesõber.
Estonian language mentors should talk to the learner on everyday topics at least once a week over a three-month period – from 14 February to 14 May. The mentor should communicate via mutually convenient channels, such as on Messenger or by phone. The mentor will be supported by the team of the program, who will bring learners and mentors together and also share best practices and materials.
Registration as a volunteer mentor for the Language Friends Program began on January 22 and runs until February 7. To date, almost 450 big-hearted mentors have expressed their desire to support and communicate with learners.
Estonian language learners can join the Estonian Language Friends Program from 9 February by registering online. The team of the program will bring language friends together from Valentine’s Day, 14 February. Mentors and learners can chat until 14 May.
This is the fifth year that the program has been organized by the Integration Foundation. Over the past four seasons, the program has attracted almost 3,800 Estonian language learners. Volunteers of all ages, from all walks of life, and from many countries have contributed as mentors.
Everyone who is ready to enrol in the Estonian Language Friends Program Keelesõber as a mentor is welcome to register on the website of the Integration Foundation www.integratsioon.ee/keelesober by 7 February at the latest. Detailed information on the program is also available on the same website.
Ave Landrat, head of the Language Friends Program Keelesõber.
