Between June and October, practical cultural and leisure activities will take place in Sillamäe and Tallinn, allowing adult language learners practise Estonian in a creative and supportive environment. These are not traditional language lessons – the meetings are filled with various activities where language can be used in natural personal communication situations.
In the course of the programme, each group will meet ten times. Every meeting lasts three hours and takes place at weekends or in the evenings of work days, so that people who work could also participate. A group consists of 12–14 people, who all have an opportunity to participate actively.
Activities vary: there will be discussion groups in libraries and community centres, the groups will participate in cooking classes and tours, create art and handicrafts, go out to nature, bake bread, play board games, or learn about folk culture. In every activity, the emphasis is on communicating in Estonian and involving the participants actively.
The participants are supported by many different language tools, such as worksheets, visual materials, or props. In addition, guests from various walks of life are will be invited to participate in the meetings to enrich the language-learning experience and provide a practical connection between language and culture.
The Sillamäe programme
In Ida-Viru County, the activities are organised by Museum Education MTÜ in partnership with the Sillamäe Museum, using the museum environment for supporting learning. In the course of ten meetings, the participants can prepare Estonian dishes, take part in handicraft and perfume workshops, learn about folk music and national culture, watch films, and discuss travel experiences. Language learning takes place through practical activities in everyday communication and in a supportive environment. The first meeting takes place on 14 June and the last on 18 October 2025.
The Tallinn programme
In Tallinn, the activities are organised by ImmiSchool – Uusimmigrantide Koolituskeskus OÜ that has created a diverse programme in various places across the city – in community gardens, the Botanical Garden, art studios, and cultural centres. The participants can discuss environmental protection and city life, bake their own bread, participate in folk dance or calligraphy workshops, and visit literary and art events. Learning the language is intertwined with practical activities, experiencing culture, and communicating in real-life situations to support the development of language skills of the group members in natural environments.
Cultural and leisure activities offer the learners more than an opportunity to practice the language – they create opportunities to meet new people, discover Estonian culture, and offer support to increase their self-confidence when speaking Estonian. Learning takes place in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere, which is what every language learner needs the most.
Registration:
The Tallinn group: https://iseteenindus.integratsioon.ee/service/view/15431 registration begins at 2.00 p.m. on 29 May.
The Sillamäe group: https://iseteenindus.integratsioon.ee/service/view/15432 registration begins at 2.00 p.m. on 29 May.
The activities are funded by sub-activity No. 3.4.4.4 ‘Provision of various 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’ financed by the European Social Fund+.
