Which Estonian language courses do Ukrainian refugees have to take?
Ukrainian refugees will have to complete the Estonian language courses provided by the Integration Foundation within the Settle in Estonia adaptation programme for beneficiariesipients of temporary or international protection. There are the courses for beginners – A1 level – as well as for the following A2 and B1 levels. You can take the courses free of charge online or in larger Estonian towns in the morning, afternoon, or evening.
The purpose of learning Estonian is to make it as easy as possible for you to settle in Estonia. It is also necessary for obtaining a residence permit in Estonia.
Are there any other mandatory training courses for Ukrainian refugees in addition to Estonian language courses?
Yes. In addition to learning Estonian, all Ukrainian war refugees are required to participate in a 1-day training course on the basic module of the adaptation program. This training provides an overview of Estonian society and laws, culture and people, and practical life. The training lasts 8 academic hours and takes place online.
Which courses can Ukrainian refugees register for in 2024?
As at 1 December 2024, beneficiaries of international protection can register for Estonian language courses, which can be attended online or in larger Estonian towns starting in December this year and in January or February next year.
There are about 1000 available seats for beneficiaries of international protection at A1-level. Also estonian language courses at level A2 and B1 are available.
You should register for these courses as soon as possible, as registration for study groups closes when the maximum number of students is reached, and new groups are not being planned this year.
You can register for a suitable course on the Settle in Estonia website: REGISTER. You can log into the website via Mobiil-ID, Smart-ID or ID-card. Then, on your personal account, you will see your data and the courses available to you and can pick and register for a course that suits you.
We will offer language courses to beneficiaries of temporary protection again in 2025. For information, be sure to follow our website integratsioon.ee and the Settle in Estonia Facebook account https://www.facebook.com/settleinestonia.
When and how can I take the available language courses?
As at 1 December 2024, beneficiaries of international protection can register for A1-, A2-, and B1-level Estonian language courses. All available courses will start in December this year and in January or February next year. Those will take place online and in larger Estonian towns in the morning, daytime, or evening. The courses are taught by language school teachers selected by the Integration Foundation through a public procurement procedure.
The Estonian language course for beginners (A1 level) lasts approximately four months, A2-level – six months, and B1 – eight months. To successfully complete the courses and obtain the corresponding certificate, you will need to attend language lessons and take a test at the end of the course.
Detailed information (time and place of studies, the name of the language school, etc.) is available on the Settle in Estonia website: LOGIN. You can log into the website via Mobiil-ID, Smart-ID, or ID-card. On your personal account, you will see your data and the courses available to you and can pick and register for a course that suits you.
What should I do before the language course registration?
We recommend that you first visit the Settle in Estonia website to view the available courses: LOGIN. You can log into the website via Mobiil-ID, Smart-ID, or ID-card. On your personal account, you will see your data and the courses available to you and can pick and register for a course that suits you.
We recommend that you carefully consider which language course is suitable for you. On the one hand, you need to assess your language level to choose the relevant course. You can start learning from A1 level, then continue with A2, and finish with B1 within the Settle in Estonia programme. On the other hand, you need to consider how the time and place of studies would be compatible with your personal life. For example, for online courses you will have to allocate the exact time on exact days and some time for home tasks between sessions and have the possibility to use Zoom.
How to register for available courses?
Beneficiaries of temporary and international protection can register for available courses on the Settle in Estonia website: REGISTER. You can log into the website via Mobiil-ID, Smart-ID, or ID-card. Then, on your personal account, you will see your data and the courses available to you and can pick and register for a course that suits you.
What to do if there are no available courses on my personal account?
If you are interested in A1-level courses but there are none available on your personal account, you should report this via email: info@settleinestonia.ee.
If you are interested in A2- or B1-level courses but there are none available on your personal account, send your language certificates (A1- or A1- and A2-level accordingly) via email: info@settleinestonia.ee.
In both cases, please note that the lack of suitable courses may also be due to the fact that the study groups for the courses of interest are already full. That is why we recommend that you register as soon as possible.
Check your data and register for a course on the Settle in Estonia website: LOGIN. You can log into the website via Mobiil-ID, Smart-ID, or ID-card. Then, on your personal account, you will see your data and the courses available to you.
What confirms my enrolment in a language course?
If the registration is successful, you will see the confirmation on your personal account on the Settle in Estonia website. A week before the start of the course, a teacher sends an email with information about the course (place of studies, link to the online class, etc.) To get this email, double-check your email while registering.
Do I have to pass the exam after the language course?
It is not obligatory to take a language exam after the course. At the end of the course, there is a test to assess your progress. Based on the test results and attendance, a certificate of completion is issued. This certificate can be used as proof of Estonian language proficiency, including when extending the residence permit.
What else does Estonia provide to refugees within the framework of the Settle in Estonia adaptation programme?
The Settle in Estonia Programme is a free educational programme provided by the Estonian state which is intended to help the foreigners who have arrived in Estonia to adapt and become accustomed to local life more easily.
The programme, which comprises various training courses, gives an overview of how the state of Estonia and its society function and how daily life is organised, as well answers to FAQ, and knowledge of the Estonian language. The conditions of participation in the courses (study modules, obligations, etc.) depend on the legal status of the person in Estonia: temporary protection, international protection, or ordinary arrival.
Beneficiaries of temporary protection should take:
- basic module: the general information about the Estonian state and society (up to eight academic hours);
- language learning module: Estonian language courses for A1 level (100 academic hours), A2 (150 academic hours) or B1 (250 academic hours).
Beneficiaries of international protection should take:
- basic module: the general information about the Estonian state and society (up to eight or 32 academic hours);
- language learning module: Estonian language courses for A1 level (100 academic hours), A2 (150 academic hours) or B1 (250 academic hours).
Who should I contact and how if I have questions about Estonian language learning or the Settle in Estonia adaptation programme?
General information about the Settle in Estonia adaptation programme is available on the Integration Foundation website: https://integratsioon.ee/en/kohanemine. Up-to-date information on courses and other aspects of settling in Estonia is available on the Facebook account of the programme: https://www.facebook.com/settleinestonia. If you have any questions, please contact the consultants of the Integration Foundation via email: info@settleinestonia.ee.
