The foundation’s professional language studies were designed to boost the competitive position of students in vocational education and adults who have already graduated in specific fields on the labour market. One of the aims of such courses is to prepare those participating to take the Level 1 professional Estonian examination. Language courses for hairdressers, beauticians, sales staff, chefs and wait staff began in September 2009 and continued through to November 2010.

 

The students on these courses improved their language skills in their given field, thereby improving their position on today’s competitive labour market. Passing the professional language examination is not only useful to them here in Estonia, but elsewhere in Europe, too, where the certificate they receive is also recognised.

 

Used on these courses are the innovative materials especially produced by language teaching expert Mare Kitsnik, which contain a wide range of tasks for the development of all skills areas. These and other specialist materials are available to download from www.kutsekeel.ee.  

 

In 2009-2010 a total of 259 hairdressers, beauticians, sales staff, chefs and wait staff underwent language training as a result of an Integration Foundation competition. The courses, carried out by the foundation’s partner, OÜ Sugesto, were held in Tallinn, Jõhvi, Narva and Kohtla-Järve.