To apply for citizenship, you need B1 level. A condition for obtaining long-term residence permit is also Estonian skills on the level of at least B1. Achieving it depends mostly on your current level. Based on that, you need to find time, because the time factor is usually the most critical.
Free language learning opportunities are provided by the Integration Foundation as well as Unemployment Insurance Fund. Additionally, Foundation Innove provides opportunities for compensating the expenses on learning Estonian. The program for compensating learning expenses allows each person to find a suitable course and study in the way best suited for them.
Consultants of the Integration Foundation are available for provide advice when you are choosing the most suitable language course for you.
Be sure to read 6 tips for choosing a course.
Estonian learning costs are compensated for individuals in the following cases: applicants for the citizenship of the Republic of Estonia; persons sent to exams by the request of the Language Inspectorate; persons who cannot apply for compensation based on the Citizenship or Language Act, but passed the A2, B1, B2 or C1 level exam. Read more!
Read the Estonian learning instructions.
You can also learn a language independently by using web courses such as Keeleklikk, Keeletee and Speakly. Electronic courses allow everyone studying Estonian free of charge and without restrictions.
Keeleklikk.ee gives the opportunity to learn Estonian to achieve A1 and A2 levels. Keeleklikk has more than 55,000 users in Estonia and abroad. Keeletee is a continuation for the popular e-courses Keeleklikk that provides B1 level Estonian courses. Web courses Keeleklikk and Keeletee are available for learning based on Russian and English.
The innovative language app Speakly also offers free Estonian courses. Speakly provides free Estonian courses based on Russian, English, German and French. Speakly language courses can be used on computer as well as telephone.
To use the web courses, you must register as a user. If there are any obstacles to using the web courses, first try changing the web browser and if that does not solve the problem, contact the website administrator. You find the contacts on the website!
The Advisory Centre of the Integration Foundation also helps each client to find the best Estonian language learning possibility. The list of opportunities offered by the state is rather long. Before using the abovementioned services, we recommend the following:
-
Achieving change in language studies takes time. It is impossible to learn a language quickly. Specialists confirm that it takes at least 6-12 months, during which time the person must work hard.
-
It is impossible to just transfer language skill to someone, that is why you cannot acquire a language skill at courses or language cafes. Only the persons who work independently on a language will achieve results.
-
If you lack vocabulary or you do not know the phrases, you do not command the language – that is why it is important to learn words and phrases. In the opinion of the linguists, a person is able to remember 6-10 words and phrases a day.
-
Experience shows that anyone can learn a language, it is not important to be talented. People learn a language in a different manner, that is why the language learning process is different for each person.
-
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, because you cannot learn a language without making mistakes. Speaking with errors is a normal phenomenon in developing speaking skills in the learning process.
-
You need to practice language to communicate, so be sure to use the possibility to participate in language clubs and language café.
Independent learner – advanced. Practical tips
-
Choose your language learning material, e.g. “Naljaga pooleks” or other material in Estonian that is of interest for you.
-
Plan the language learning times, note them down in the calendar (study at least three times a week).
-
Write down important and necessary words and expressions, learn them (e.g. place them in a visible spot, create word cards, add them to your smart device’s word-learning app etc.).
-
Create Estonian language environment for yourself:
-
listen to Estonian music, e.g. the following artists are suitable for learning Estonian: Jaan Tätte, Mari Pokinen, Eeva Talsi, Liisi Koikson, Ivo Linna, Jäääär, Ott Lepland, Marek Sadam, Anne Veski, Curly Strings;
-
listen to the radio in Estonian: Vikerraadio, Raadio Elmar, Kuku Raadio;
-
watch the news: the national broadcaster ETV provides subtitled versions of the political program “Forum”, environmental program Ozone (Osoon) and Spectacle Case (Prillitoos) meant for senior citizens. Eyewitness (Pealtnägija) and 13 Õnne St. (Õnne 13) are also subtitled;
-
watch programs in Estonian: http://etv.err.ee/l/saated;
-
read articles/ article titles in the web: www.delfi.ee, www.postimees.ee, www.err.ee;
-
read forums in Estonian: http://www.perekool.ee/, http://kodukauniks.postimees.ee/;
-
watch movies in foreign languages with Estonian subtitles;
-
watch movies in Estonian, for example:
-
youth movies: Zero Point (Nullpunkt) (2014), The Days That Confused (Päevad, mis ajasid segadusse) (2016), Spring (Kevade) (1969);
-
historical movies: Names in Marble (Nimed marmortahvlil) (2002), 1944 (2015), In the Crosswind (Risttuules) (2014), Tangerines (Mandariinid) (2013);
-
comedies: A Young Retiree (Noor pensionär) (1972), The Joys of Midlife (Keskea rõõmud) (1986), Jan Uuspõld Is Going to Tartu (Jan Uuspõld läheb Tartusse) (2007), Men Don’t Cry (Mehed ei nuta) (1968), Here We Are! (Siin me oleme) (1978), Class Reunion (Klassikokkutulek) (2016);
-
dramas: Taarka (2008), Living Images (Elavad pildid) (2013), The Master of Kõrboja (Kõrboja peremees) (1979), A Friend of Mine (Üks mu sõber) (2011), The Last Relic (Viimne reliikivia) (1969), Cherry Tobacco (Kirsitubakas) (2014), Family Lies (Perekonnavaled) (2016);
-
read (children’s) literature: e.g. series Aino Pervik’s Paula’s Stories (Paula lood), Martin Widmark’s The Whodunit Detective Agency (Lasse ja Maia detektiivibüroo);
-
-
-
these children’s authors suite better for advanced learners: Piret Raud, Markus Saksatamm, Kristiina Kass, Andrus Kivirähk.
-
If the selected material in Estonian is too hard, go back and choose the material that is better suited for you. Do not give up learning!
-
Make a habit out of the use of the Estonian language environment and note the times you use the language environment down in your calendar.
-
Find opportunities for oral use of the language (design a language use exercise for yourself for each week). Reward yourself for overcoming the language barrier and you will start speaking!
-
Find someone to study and share your language learning experience with.
-
If you are in Tallinn, use the possibilities of e.g. EST-RUS space for language practice https://gamekeskus.ee.
