Language level: A2/B1/B2/C1

Time: Thursdays 18:30-20:30 from 21 February-13 June

Venue: Jakobsoni 7, Tallinn

Run by: Mari Derlõš (from the Estonian Language Centre) & Nikolai Kunitsõn

Places available: 25

The Estonian language learning programme of the Forum Theatre is a practical and interactive way of honing your skills in critical situations through roleplay. The theatre format encourages people to learn and find solutions to a range of everyday problems that arise from interpersonal relationships and communication.

The four-month programme involves weekly sessions lasting two hours. It is designed for those who speak Estonian at or above the A2 level. An open performance will be held in January to showcase the programme.

Sessions with the participants will involve fun and creative roleplay situations and discussions of their results, and scenarios will be conceived and staged as a group. The programme will give those taking part more confidence in using Estonian, broaden their vocabulary and hone their fluency in key situations. A public performance will close the programme.

Anyone interested in taking part in the programme should fill in the registration form at HERE by 14 February.

Discussion evening with special guest

Language level: B2-C1

Run by: Krismar Rosin

Places available: 20

To be held from: February-May 2019

Time: One Wednesday a month 17:30-19:00

Venue: Kerese 3 (2nd floor), Narva

Registration opens: February 2019

You can now take part in interesting discussions on topical issues with lecturers, politicians, entrepreneurs and other experts in their fields. This is a great opportunity to obtain useful information from specialists and hear fascinating stories from very different walks of life. The discussions will take place in interview format. A new topic will be discussed with a new guest at each event.

The discussion evenings will start with a warm-up game for everyone attending. This will be followed by the conversation with the guest, who will be interviewed by a representative of the Estonian Language Centre, after which the participants can ask the guest their questions.

Since the events are to be held in Estonian, they will give those attending the chance to improve their listening skills and self-expression in the language.

Discussion evening #1

Our series of discussion evenings will kick off in Narva next Wednesday 13 February, at which our special guest will be Anu Abramson. Anu is a much-loved Estonian language teacher from Narva with more than 25 years’ experience. Participants will hear tales from her teaching past and be given tips on how to more effectively learn Estonian. Since Anu also served for many years on the national language exam committee, she will also talk about her experiences in that field. The interviewer for the evening will be Margarita Källo, the director of the Estonian Language House in Narva.

We look forward to seeing you all at the Integration Foundation’s offices at Kerese 3 (2nd floor) in Narva at 17:30 this Wednesday!

You can register for a discussion evening  eestikeelemaja@integratsioon.ee  note "Narva_aruteluõhtu_Anu".

Please note: You will need to register for each event separately.

From 17:30-19:30 on Thursday 7 February 2019 the Estonian Language Centre in Tallinn (Rävala pst 5, 6th floor) will be hosting an

INFORMATION EVENING FOR PARENTS WHO SPEAK A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ESTONIAN AT HOME

who are interested in enrolling their children in a school with Estonian as the language of instruction or in a language immersion class in a school with Russian as the language of instruction.

The aims of language immersion are for the student to understand Estonian and to speak, read and write in the language, to continue studies in Estonian, to also be fluent in their home language at an age-appropriate level, to continue studies in their home language, to maintain their national identity and to have a respectful attitude towards other cultures.

The Estonian language immersion programme involves two models: in one the target language is Estonian alone; in the other both Estonian and Russian are the target languages.

Come and hear what people have to say!

Speaking about their own experiences will be Andrei Gudim, whose child is attending a school with Estonian as the language of instruction, and highly experienced language immersion teacher and methodology specialist Tatjana Baum-Valgma.

Tatjana Baum-Valgma – “I’m a teacher of Estonian as a second language by profession, which is something I’ve been doing for 24 years now. I’ve been actively involved in language immersion methodology since 2005, at first as a teacher, then as a trainer and adviser. Right now I work with the Innove Foundation, where I deal with language-learning issues. I’m convinced that what the teacher is there for is to be a partner to the student as they learn and to create the kind of conditions that make learning enjoyable and encouraging for the student, but also requiring them to put in an effort.”

Andrei Gudim is an entrepreneur, worker, father and son. He and his entire family took part in Mariana Kaat’s ‘14 Cases’ project. Between the ages of 3 and 6 his child attended a kindergarten with Russian as the language of instruction, then between the ages of 6 and 8 an Estonian-language kindergarten. The family hoped to enrol the child in a school with Estonian as the language of instruction, or a language immersion class in a Russian-language school. They even attended a language immersion class pre-school at Haabersti Russian Gymnasium.

You can register for the information evening here:

eestikeelemaja@integratsioon.ee subject "INFORMATION EVENING FOR PARENTS"