The Integration Foundation opens registration on 5 March for the language cafés starting in spring 2026. Language cafés are a great opportunity to practice Estonian in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere together with volunteers whose native language is Estonian or whose Estonian proficiency is at least at C1 level.
How do language cafés help you learn Estonian?
At language cafés, participants can practice speaking Estonian, learn everyday vocabulary, and receive support for independent language learning. Volunteers create a natural communication environment, encourage participants to speak Estonian, help find the right words, and support participants at every step.
Language cafés take place in a supportive and relaxed environment and follow these principles:
- A language café is not a language course. Grammar is not studied in depth and there are no written exercises. The focus is on free conversation and communication.
- We speak Estonian all the time. The goal is to provide as much practice in spoken communication as possible.
- Mistakes are welcome. There is no need to worry about making mistakes – practice is the fastest way to learn.
- Conversation topics are engaging. Participants talk about everyday life, travel, hobbies, work, family, and many other topics.
Who can participate?
All adult Estonian language learners, i.e. long-term residents, returnees, and newly arrived immigrants, whose language proficiency level is A2 or B1.
Those who did not participate in a language café in 2025 are also welcome to join.
Where will the language cafés take place?
In 2026, language cafés will take place in several cities and regions across Estonia:
- Lasnamäe district
- Mustamäe district
- Põhja-Tallinn district
- Tallinn City Centre
- Tartu
- Pärnu
- Narva-Jõesuu
- Narva
- Jõhvi
- Aseri
How to register?
You can choose a suitable language café and register through the Integration Foundation’s self-service portal. Detailed information about open and upcoming language cafés will also be published there.
ESF+ project No. 2021–2027.4.07.23-0006 “Activities Supporting Estonian Language Learning and Civic Education”, sub-activity 3.4.4.1 “Development and provision of a language practice environment and supporting solutions aimed at acquiring language learning.”