A series of shared activities called ‘Eesti amps’ – ‘a bite of Estonia’ – will launch in February, which aims to support the acquisition and use of the Estonian language in everyday life. The activities are aimed at adults living in Estonia with different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, newly arrived immigrants, returnees, and Estonian citizens who wish to strengthen their language skills and better understand Estonian culture and society.
The series of shared activities will include 16 regular meetings and two field trips. Each meeting will focus on one topic and combine language learning with cultural content. Special attention is paid to active language use, communication, and creating a safe learning environment. Participants will have the opportunity to practise Estonian with small but meaningful ‘bites’ that increase their confidence in using the language on a daily basis.
Each group will feature volunteers who speak Estonian as their native language or at level C1 and who will consistently provide support for language practice and communication over a period of eight months. The total volume of the programme is 60 academic hours, divided between regular meetings and field trips. Field trips take participants to other regions of Estonia, offering them the opportunity to use Estonian in real-life situations and learn about different places, traditions, and areas of life.
Shared activities will take place in ten regions across Estonia: In the Kesklinn, Mustamäe, Lasnamäe, Haabersti, and Põhja-Tallinn districts of Tallinn, as well as in Tartu, Jõhvi, Narva, Sillamäe, and Lääne-Viru County. The activities are carried out by experienced partners: ALGUS Osaühing, Eterna Koolituskeskus OÜ, 1-Koolitus MTÜ, ImmiSchool – Uusimmigrantide Koolituskeskus OÜ, TYPA MTÜ, Rosmark OÜ, and Tallinn Folk High School.
As a result of the shared activities, the Estonian language skills of participants will improve, their knowledge of Estonia and its culture will grow, and their ability to cope in society will be strengthened. The programme creates new contacts and experiences that support language learning even after the shared activities have ended.
You can register for shared activities via the self-service portal of the Integration Foundation at https://iseteenindus.integratsioon.ee/login starting 29 January. The number of places is limited.
The shared activities are funded by sub-activity No. 3.4.4.4 ‘Provision of cultural and leisure activities to support Estonian language learning and practice’ within the framework of the project No. 2021-2027.4.07.23-0006 ‘Activities supporting Estonian language learning and civic education’ supported by the European Social Fund+.