We offer free language courses and training courses on the Constitution and the Citizenship Act for people who wish to become Estonian citizens. This year, we will be organising information sessions to introduce our services in more detail and answer questions from interested parties.

Upcoming Info Sessions:

• August 26 at 10:00 (online, in Russian). Registration is OPEN in self-service.

• September 24 at 10:00 (online, in Russian).  Registration is OPEN in self-service.

• October 9 at 10:00 (online, in English). Registration is OPEN in self-service.

• October 30 at 10:00 (online, in Russian). Registration opens on September 24 at 11:00 in self-service.

If you are not yet a user of our self-service environment, please first create your profile at the following link:
https://iseteenindus.integratsioon.ee/

You can learn more about language learning to apply for Estonian citizenship at:
https://integratsioon.ee/en/language-exam

You can read more about training courses on the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia and the Citizenship Act at:
https://integratsioon.ee/en/citizenship-exam

All those who sign up for the information session will receive all the information and materials also by email, whether they attended or not. 

We invite everyone to join us on Friday, 8 August 2025 at 4.30 p.m. in Paide, at the Culture Area of the Opinion Festival, to seek answers to the following question: ‘A newly arrived immigrant today – an Estonian tomorrow?’

In the discussion organised by the Integration Foundation, we will focus on how and when a newly arrived immigrant becomes a full-fledged member of society. Who decides when a ‘stranger’ can become ‘one of us’? How long does one need to live in Estonia to be considered Estonian – or is that even possible?

In the discussion, we will explore what brings people to Estonia and how it will impact our community, elections, and identity over the next 10–15 years. We will also discuss how ready the Estonian society and the state are to welcome and integrate new arrivals.

The roundtable discussion will feature Dmitri Moskovtsev, Director of the Integration Foundation; Mart Kallas, Representative of the Conservative People’s Party of Estonia; Tiit Tammaru, Professor of Population Geography at the University of Tartu; Ain Käpp, Chairperson of the Labour Market working group of the Estonian Employers’ Confederation; Mari-Liis Jakobson, Associate Professor of Political Sociology at Tallinn University. The discussion will be moderated by ERR journalist Johannes Tralla.

INTRODUCTIONS

Ain Käpp is the CEO and co-owner of the operating company behind Palace Hotel Tallinn and Radisson Collection Hotel, Tallinn. He chairs the Labour Market working group of the Estonian Employers’ Confederation and contributes as a board member of the Estonian Hotel and Restaurant Association. With over 30 years of experience in the hotel industry, he has focused on creating exceptional hospitality and developing strong teams. Ain believes that everyone who contributes to Estonia’s development deserves a sense of belonging and appreciation.

Mart Kallas is a columnist and opinion leader, as well as a member of the Conservative People’s Party of Estonia, and is known for his national conservative views. His views focus on preserving Estonia’s identity as a nation state and cultural continuity, as well as offering a critical perspective on immigration and integration issues. Mart will raise the question of how many newly arrived immigrants should Estonia accept and in what way, as well as whether and under what conditions a ‘stranger’ can become ‘one of us’.

Tiit Tammaru is a professor of Urban and Population Geography at the University of Tartu. He studies immigration, urbanisation, and social integration, providing a research-based perspective on how a sense of belonging develops and which factors influence the integration of immigrants.

Mari-Liis Jakobson is a political scientist and sociologist at Tallinn University who researches citizenship, immigration, and political participation. She focuses on how newly arrived immigrants become ‘our people’ and what role the state, communities, and democracy play in this process.

Dmitri Moskovtsev is the director of the Integration Foundation, who is working on practical solutions to support the integration of newly arrived immigrants and minority groups. His work focuses on how a ‘stranger’ can become ‘one of us’ through language learning, community engagement, and collaboration.

We invite everyone interested to join the conversation and share their thoughts and opinions – because it is through collective discussion that we shape what Estonia’s capacity for belonging and integration will look like in the future.

Join our Facebook event as well: https://fb.me/e/6DbRvKAYc

Starting from August and September, ten Estonian language and culture clubs will start meeting across different parts of Estonia. These meetings are held in various districts of Tallinn, as well as Ida-Viru County, Tartu, and Pärnu. They are meant for adults who would like to take their Estonian skills to the next level and feel more confident speaking the language.

The clubs are intended for adults (from the age of 18) who have completed an Estonian language course or successfully passed a level B1, B2, or C1 language exam. Each club has a maximum of 20 members. Only people who have not joined the clubs formed by the Integration Foundation in 2023, 2024, or during the first half of 2025 can become a member of the club.

Instead of traditional language lessons, the clubs offer diverse and inclusive meetings. Members will have the opportunity to practise Estonian in a more relaxed atmosphere, meet native Estonian guest speakers, engage in discussions about current and everyday topics, and take part in field trips to different culturally enriching destinations. These meetings create a natural language environment and help members overcome language barriers.

Members meet once a week and there are a total of 30 meetings over the course of the year, six of which are field trips.

The aim of the Estonian language and culture clubs is to keep the Estonian language alive and growing, to strengthen ties to the Estonian culture, and to provide support for individuals seeking to integrate more fully into society. The club helps members gain greater confidence in their language skills and deepen their understanding of Estonian life, culture and its people.

You can sign up for the clubs starting on 24 July at 2 p.m.

1) Tallinn https://iseteenindus.integratsioon.ee/service/view/15501 Organised by Estonian Open Air Museum

2) Tallinn https://iseteenindus.integratsioon.ee/service/view/15513 Organised by Tallinn Folk High School

3) Tallinn  https:// iseteenindus.integratsioon.ee/service/view/15511  Organised by  1-koolitus MTÜ

4) Tallinn  https:// iseteenindus.integratsioon.ee/service/view/15512  Organised by  1-koolitus MTÜ

5)Tartu https://iseteenindus.integratsioon.ee/service/view/15504 Organised by Algus OÜ

6) Tartu https://iseteenindus.integratsioon.ee/service/view/15502 Organised by Tartu Folk High School

7) Pärnu https://iseteenindus.integratsioon.ee/service/view/15505 Organised by Algus OÜ

8) Jõhvi https://iseteenindus.integratsioon.ee/service/view/15498 Organised by Kersti Võlu Koolituskeskus OÜ

9) Narva I https://iseteenindus.integratsioon.ee/service/view/15499 Organised by Kersti Võlu Koolituskeskus OÜ

10) Narva II https://iseteenindus.integratsioon.ee/service/view/15500 Organised by Kersti Võlu Koolituskeskus OÜ

The club is funded from sub-activity 3.4.4.1 ‘Development and provision of a language practice environment and support solutions for language learning’ of project No. 2021-2027.4.07.23-0006 ‘Activities supporting Estonian language learning and civic education’, funded by the European Social Fund+.

We welcome a total of 832 adults who have lived in Estonia for at least five years or who have returned to Estonia to attend free Estonian language courses, specialised, and level courses. Registration for specialised courses starts on Wednesday, 16 July, at 10 a.m. and for level courses on Wednesday, 13 August, at 10 a.m. in the self-service environment of the Integration Foundation.

General information

We offer opportunities for adults who have lived in Estonia for at least five years or have returned here to learn Estonian as this helps with comprehensive integration. We focus on developing the skills necessary for communicating in Estonian and combine language learning with getting to know the Estonian culture. Learning opportunities include free Estonian language courses at levels A1, A2, B1.1, and B1.2, specialised Estonian language courses, activities supporting language learning, and independent study.

In addition, we invite newcomers, permanent residents and returnees to specialised courses that help to develop their Estonian language skills in a specific field and support the everyday use of the language. For example, you can take a writing course, a spoken language course, and courses that support communication and introduce Estonian culture. Courses take place online or on-site in Narva and Tallinn. There are 13 courses to choose from, starting in August and September of this year (240 places in total).

For more information on language learning and practice opportunities for adults who have lived here for at least five years or who have returned here, we publish on the website, where you can register for a course.

Specialised Estonian language courses

From 16 July at 10 a.m., newcomers, permanent residents and returnees can register for specialised courses that help to develop their Estonian language skills in a specific field and support the everyday use of the language. Newcomers can choose one suitable special course. Permanent residents and returnees can choose one suitable special course and/or a language course at level A1–B1.2. For example, you can take a writing course, a spoken language course, a pronunciation course, and courses that support communication and introduce Estonian culture. Courses take place online or on-site in Narva and Tallinn. There are 13 courses to choose from, starting in in August and September of this year (225 places in total). Registration will be opened in the self-service environment.

Estonian language courses starting in August 2025

Starting on 13 August at 10 a.m., 832 adults who have lived in Estonia for at least five years or have returned here can register for Estonian language communication courses to learn how to communicate in both oral and written form at the beginner (A1 and A2) and intermediate (B1.1 and B1.2) levels. We open 53 study groups in the Estonian Language Houses and in cooperation with language schools, where you can start learning Estonian in August, September, October, or November. You can study online or on-site in various regions of Estonia (e.g. in Narva, Jõhvi, Tartu and Tallinn).
You can choose the group of communication courses that suits you best, based on your language level, time of the course and location (web or city). Each learner can only participate once in a communication course of the same level.

Students will have to participate in study group classes and learn independently. Examples of the latter are various homework tasks, whether for learning words or reviewing what has been learned in class, for learning storytelling, for writing texts or for communication practice in a language and/or e-learning environment (Keeleklikk, Keeletee, …). Registration will be opened in the self-service environment.

Newcomers can choose one suitable special course. Permanent residents and returnees can choose one suitable special course and/or a language course at level A1–B1.2.

Specialised courses in the Estonian Language House (registration begins 16th of July in self-service)

Level courses (registration begins 13th of August in self-service)

Level courses in the Estonian Language House (registration begins 13th of August in self-service)

When registering for the courses offered, please keep the following in mind:

• To find the right level course for you, we recommend that you pre-select on the basis of three aspects: the name of the service, the level of the service, and the location. This pre-selection will help you to find and sign up for courses of interest more quickly. You cannot attend the same level course again.
• To register for a specialised course, you need to select “specialised course” as the service and choose the most suitable service from the list.
• Registration will remain open if there are places available and closes the day before the course starts.
• Registering for any course comes with an obligation to study diligently all the way through the course, actively participate in lessons, and learn independently. You can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course up to one day before the course starts. 
• We no longer offer Estonian language courses at level B2 and C1. We offer opportunities for advanced language learners to develop their language skills on our specialised courses and language support activities. You can also get the relevant information and register at our self-service.

Registration in December

We will announce the exact date of registration for December on our website and social media at the beginning of December.

Additional information

If you have any questions, please contact us at info@integratsiooniinfo.ee (Mon.–Thur. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Fri. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.). 

The ‘Eesti amps’ series of collaborative events to support Estonian language learning will take place in 2025 bringing together adults learning Estonian and volunteer language tutors. The aim of the series is to provide immediate and varied language practice opportunities through which participants will discover Estonian culture, history and everyday life.

‘Eesti amps’ is for adults who do not yet speak Estonian well enough, but want to use it with confidence and apply their language skills in everyday life. Meetings take place in a creative, supportive and friendly environment, where language use comes naturally – through action, communication and discussion. There will be a total of 15 participants in each group: Ten Estonian language learners and five Estonian language volunteers to interact with the participants and support their language development along with communication skills.

All cooperation activities are based on the principle that language is best learned by working together. Each meeting is accompanied by practical worksheets, diary assignments and volunteer Estonian speakers to support communication.

Each series of activities consists of ten meetings that combine Estonian language, culture, history, literature and everyday life. Together with language learners, in each group will also be volunteer language tutors (native Estonian speakers or at least with a C1 language level), who will encourage language practice and support communication.

‘Eesti amps’ offers small but meaningful pieces of Estonian culture and language that will help language users feel as a part of our common history.

Vabamu: stories of freedom, resistance and democracy

In Tallinn, collaborative activities will be carried out by the Vabamu Museum, where meetings focus on Estonia’s recent history, the functioning of democracy, misinformation, the meaning of freedom and human rights. The topics are explored through museum lessons, discussions, playful exercises and practical work.

Participants will discover personal stories, visit exhibitions and take part in creative activities. Each meeting uses methodologies that support active participation and the confident use of Estonian language.

Jõhvi Central Library: Estonian cultural image in Ida-Viru County

In Ida-Viru County, the Jõhvi Central Library offers cooperation activities, where language learning is integrated with visual arts, literature, music, heritage and theatre. Each lesson focuses on one of Estonia’s cultural phenomena, such as Estonian sculpture, folk clothing or cinematography.

Participants will create their own mini sculptures, learn to play folk music instruments, direct short films and learn about different aspects of Estonian cultural history. Each meeting is practical and supports active communication, creativity and linguistic expression.

Rakvere Library: environment, movement and community

In Lääne-Viru County, Rakvere Library is hosting ‘Eesti amps’ meetings, focusing on community, nature awareness and heritage culture. Activities will take place both in the city and in nature: participants will visit a waste recovery exhibition, take part in a dance celebration, a medicinal plants workshop, a ceramics club, nature walks as well as cultural and historical tours. The series will end with a film night and a cooking session, which will give an opportunity to reach conclusions and share experiences.

The activities are funded by sub-activity No. 3.4.4.5 ‘Launching cooperation and language camps for adults and other activities supporting language learning and the use of Estonian’ within the framework of project No. 2021-2027.4.07.23-0006 ‘Activities supporting Estonian language learning and civic education’ financed by the European Social Fund+.