Language Learning Development programme 2011−2013
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Language Learning Development programme 2011−2013
With a ministerial order of 10 January 2011, the Minister of Education and Research approved the programme “Language Learning Development 2011−2013” financed through the European Social Fund, and appointed the Integration and Migration Foundation Our People as the programme implementer.
 
 
The main objective of the programme is to ensure equal opportunities to obtain education and manage in the labour market for all the residents of Estonia, regardless of their native language.
 
The following activities will be implemented within the framework of the programme:
 
 
Additional language studies for students of vocational education institutions and adult students of upper secondary schools
 
The coordinator of the activity is Liilika Raudhein,Telephone (+372) 659 9841, E-mail liilika.raudhein@meis.ee
 
Within the framework of this activity, additional language learning opportunities are organised for students whose native language is other than Estonian that study in a vocational education group where the language of instruction is Estonian or in a Russian language group where learning partially takes place in the Estonian language subject to proposals by vocational education institutions and upper secondary schools for adults. Language studies are organised in addition to the education financed through state-commissioned education or national curriculum.
 
Within the framework of the activity, various programmes introducing Estonian culture that include study trips to different Estonian counties and involve, among other things, the development of competences to manage in a foreign language and cultural environment, education on intercultural differences, intercultural education and understanding of Estonian culture through another culture. The prepared programmes will be implemented in the vocational education groups where the language of instruction is Russian or in upper secondary schools for adults that have expressed their wish to use them. The students whose language of instruction is Estonian will participate in study trips, regardless of their native language. The Estonian language integrated learning materials and teaching aids introducing Estonia that were developed within the framework of the “Estonian Integration Strategy 2008−2013“ in 2010 and also specialised language teaching materials developed during the programme “Language Learning Development 2007−2010“ will be used.

Within the framework of the activity, content and language integrated learning – including organisation of traineeship in an Estonian language environment, implementation of student exchange programmes, offering opportunities for intensive supportive training, compilation of suitable teaching materials and spreading of study methods to enhance motivation for language learning – will be supported based on the proposals submitted by vocational education institutions. Traineeship and exchange programmes will be carried out in vocational education institutions.
 
In order to map the needs and opportunities of vocational education institutions that have arisen in the course of transition to instruction in the Estonian language, a follow-up survey of the survey conducted within the framework of the programme “Language Learning Development 2007−2010” will be organised.
 
Refresher training for teachers of vocational education institutions
 
The coordinator of the activity is Maria Ratassepp,Telephone (+372) 659 9068, E-mail maria.ratassepp@meis.ee
 
Training of subject and language teachers of vocational education institutions about the specialised language teaching method will be undertaken within the framework of the activity. The training sessions will be carried out based on the subject syllabi and teaching aids developed and manuals translated within the framework of the programme “Language Learning Development 2007−2010”.
 
Within the activity, training sessions for teachers of vocational education institutions related to the implementation of content and language integrated learning in preparing teaching aids for different specialities and general subjects, training about the method of content and language integrated learning, and training on various methodological tools when employing content and language integrated learning will be organised.
 
Within the activity, the teachers of vocational education institutions where the language of instruction is Russian will undertake in-service training in vocational education institutions where the language of instruction is Estonian and the teachers of Estonian-language vocational education institutions will undertake in-service training in vocational education institutions with the Russian language as the language of instruction (taught in Estonian). The target group comprises the teachers that completed their in-service training within the framework of the programme “Language Learning Development 2007−2010” (follow-up in-service training participants) and new participants (initial in-service training). A support person provides support to the participants in the hosting school and a mentor provides support to them before and after their in-service training in the sending school. The initial in-service training is preceded by an appropriate training course.
 
Within the framework of the activity, a webpage kutsekeel.ee as an e-learning tool will be developed and administered and if necessary additional teaching aids (e-materials) will be compiled. The webpage was created within the framework of the project “Development of Estonian Language Learning and Teaching Aids in Vocational Education Institutions” financed by the European Social Fund (2004−2006) and developed and supplemented in the course of the programme “Language Learning Development 2007−2010”. All mentioned additional teaching aids created during the mentioned programme have been posted on the webpage and the page has become an attractive and actively used teaching tool in vocational education institutions.
 
 
Development of counselling in the multicultural learning system for vocational education institutions
 
The coordinator of the activity is Maria Ratassepp,Telephone (+372) 659 9068, E-mail maria.ratassepp@meis.ee

Within the framework of the activity, the work of the network of vocational education institutions advisers will be developed and counselling and refresher trainings for advisers on the topics of intercultural differences, various ways of using language training, supportive training for new immigrants, principles of counselling teachers, principles of multicultural education, specifics of the structure of multicultural education, and methods of relieving the psychological stress that arises from cultural, religious and value differences will be organised.
 
The advisers that were selected within the activities of the programme “Language Learning Development 2007−2010” and passed the initial refresher training will be involved as advisers in this activity. As a result of the training sessions, the competence of the advisers will be improved so that they are also able to advise teachers in addition to the heads of vocational education institutions on these topics. Regular adviser network meetings and advising forums and seminars with participating advisees will be organised.
 
The advisers that have passed the training within the framework of the programme “Language Learning Development 2007−2010” take part in the work of the network and organise advising activities.
 
 
Additional language studies for students at higher education level
 
The coordinator of the activity is Jana Tondi,Telephone (+372) 659 9069, E-mail jana.tondi@meis.ee
 
Within the framework of the activity, additional supportive Estonian language studies for students at higher education level whose native language is other than Estonian will be organised with the aim of developing the Estonian language competence necessary for academic studies at higher education level and specialised Estonian language skills. Additional language studies are organised for students at higher education level that have received their secondary education in Estonia, regardless of their Estonian language proficiency level. Studies may be organised for students of different years and levels.
 
Based on the proposals made by and in cooperation with higher education institutions, the Estonian language learning programmes will be organised and implemented in addition to advanced learning of the official language (Estonian) financed via state-commissioned education. The length of the study period may vary (up to one academic year) and the language studies may be conducted as spring, summer, autumn or winter school and parallel to the studies within the formal education system. No activities that are included in the study programmes of official language advanced learning will be undertaken within the framework of the activity.
 
In cooperation with experts, the development of additional Estonian language courses, conducting courses based on the prepared teaching materials, compilation of new teaching materials and teaching, and also the development of relevant study programmes, conducting pilot courses based on them, and compiling the teaching materials necessary for carrying out the courses will be organised. The teaching materials developed within the programme “Language Learning Development 2007−2010” will be used. The level of Estonian language proficiency is measured at the start and end of the language studies.
 
 
Language studies for visually impaired and hard-of-hearing persons
 
The coordinator of the activity is Tea Kotkas,Telephone (+372) 659 9061, E-mail tea.kotkas@meis.ee
  
Estonian language teaching materials for visually impaired and hard-of-hearing adults will be developed and piloted within the framework of the activity. Based on the developed and piloted teaching materials, refresher training for teachers will be organised. The teaching material for hard-of-hearing persons includes a study video, manual and teacher’s guide, while the teaching material for visually impaired persons includes the listening texts, a manual and teacher’s guide. The teaching materials will be completed by the end of 2012.

The teachers will conduct Estonian language courses for visually impaired and hard-of-hearing adults using the developed and piloted teaching materials in 2013. 
 
Language studies for public sector employees
 
The coordinator of the activity is Jana Tondi,Telephone (+372) 659 9069, E-mail jana.tondi@meis.ee
 
Estonian language studies for public sector employees are organised based on the proposals submitted by public sector agencies within the framework of the activity. Combined language training is preferred, i.e. learning in a classroom as learning within the organisation, but also collective study trips and individual learning in the form of in-service training, mentoring or travel.
 
Medical staff, police officers, rescue workers, teachers and other employees of educational institutions, personal care workers, employees of youth centres, hobby schools and culture institutions and other public sector employees may participate in these language courses. For the purpose of this programme, public sector agencies are agencies that are registered in the state register of state and local government agencies as well as companies, non-profit organisations and foundations under their control and significant influence.
 
Language studies amount to 60−120 course hours (one course hour is 45 minutes). Mandatory testing time before and after the course is not included in the course hours. These language studies must incorporate an andragogical approach, study trips, active teaching methods and practical language teaching. Along with other materials, specialty-related language teaching materials (e.g. teaching materials related to the areas of medicine and security, Estonian language integrated learning materials and teaching aids introducing Estonia etc.) developed within the framework of the “Estonian Integration Strategy 2008−2013” will also be used during the language courses.
 
The proposal to be submitted by an agency for the organisation of language training must include, among other things, the expected programme and action plan, its potential implementers, description of the learners’ level of motivation, description of the employer’s non-monetary contribution (e.g. rooms where to organise the course, equipment, etc.), expected costs. Collaborative activities among different agencies and original novel proposals are preferred. The proposals are analysed by an expert committee established by the programme’s implementer. The resolution on which proposals are selected to be implemented is based on the opinion of the expert committee.
 
Within the framework of the activity, a guide for language learners on how to keep the acquired language proficiency level after language practice, travel or in-service training will be developed.
 
 
Language learning with a mentor
 
The coordinator of the activity is Riina Ring,Telephone (+372) 659 9030, E-mail riina.ring@meis.ee
 

Within the framework of the activity, language training for adults with a mentor is organised using the model developed and the mentors trained within the framework of the programme “Language Learning Development 2007−2010”. The students are chosen from amongst the heads and teachers of the education institutions of Ida-Viru County. A targeted action plan is prepared for the students. Mentor-student meetings are held at least once a month. The meetings will be organised outside the common environment of the students in the form of culture and sports, etc. events. The mentor-student pairs may collaborate. Language forums are lead by the mentors.

The trained mentors help to set up language clubs for public sector employees. Groups comprising up to 15 members that study at language courses falling within the activity described in section 6.6 will be established. The groups meet based on an action plan at least once a week. The moderators of these language clubs are the mentors that have passed appropriate training on how to lead a group. The clubs will be put together from employees from different agencies. An operational guide-manual for the language clubs will be prepared.
 
 
Language studies for employees of third sector organisations
 
The coordinator of the activity is Tea Kotkas,Telephone (+372) 659 9061, E-mail tea.kotkas@meis.ee
 
The target group of this language training constitutes employees – whose native language is other than Estonian – of cultural societies (including ethnic culture societies and their Sunday schools), sports associations and associations that deal with young people and are not considered public sector agencies for the purpose of the activity “Language Studies for Public Sector Employees”. Language studies will be organised based on proposals submitted by cultural societies’ umbrella organisations, sports federations and regional sports associations and guardian organisations via a procurement process. The activity will be implemented in 2012−2013.
 
The language studies must combine teaching in a classroom setting with language learning via the main activity of the organisation. Travel, in-service training, mentoring and study trips to other language environments will be organised. Collaborative activities between Estonian-speaking and non-Estonian-speaking employees of associations operating in different regions and joint activities of different associations to conduct language studies are preferred.
During the language training, the teaching materials of Estonian language integrated learning and introducing Estonia developed within the framework of “Estonian Integration Strategy 2008−2013“ in 2010 will be used.
 
 
Refresher training for teachers teaching adults the Estonian language as another language in the informal education system
 
The coordinator of the activity is Riina Ring,Telephone (+372) 659 9030, E-mail riina.ring@meis.ee
 
The aim of the activity is to prepare a study programme for the refresher training of teachers of informal education for adults (people working at private educational institutions) and to organise refresher training and thereby harmonise and maintain the level of language learning quality.
 
Within the framework of the activity, a refresher training programme for the teachers of Estonian as another language that work for informal education organisations, primarily companies offering language training, business companies and non-profit associations will be prepared.
 
The training programme will be prepared based on the pilot training course conducted within the framework of the programme “Language Learning Development 2007−2010”. The training programme includes various topics such as the basics of andragogy, principles of language proficiency assessment, content and language integrated learning methods in language training for adults, active training methods in a language class, various forms and methods of language learning, language study based on the learner’s actual individual needs, ensuring the quality of language training and assessment thereof. Foreign lecturers are involved in training to obtain the best practices and exchange experience.  
 
 
Reimbursement of Estonian language learning expenses
 
The coordinator of the activity is Riina Ring,Telephone (+372) 659 9030, E-mail riina.ring@meis.ee
 
 
Language learning expenses are reimbursed to adults (18-year olds and older persons) and persons of 15−17 years of age that have obtained their basic education and are not participating in a higher level of the education system, i.e. in general education, vocational secondary education, higher education, and 17-year olds without basic education after they have passed the Estonian language proficiency examination. An applicant applying for reimbursement must meet the conditions set for the learner’s age during the period of language studies.
 
In order to apply for reimbursement, it is necessary to submit an appropriate application to the Foundation Innove together with the documents verifying language-training expenses. Foundation Innove checks whether the persons meet the conditions set for the grant of remuneration and compiles a list of persons, which also includes required personal data and statistics. Integration and Migration Foundation Our People makes a transfer to the applicant or to the bank account of the person designated by the applicant based on the application.
 
It is possible to reimburse language-learning expenses that have been incurred within 2 years prior to the language proficiency examination after which reimbursement is applied for. The education organisation that has conducted the Estonian language training must hold an educational licence issued by the Ministry of Education and Research or have an appropriate registration in the Estonian Education Information System.
 
Persons that have a right to be reimbursed language-training expenses from the state budget are not allowed to apply for this reimbursement.
 
It is possible to apply for up to a 100% reimbursement of language-training expenses, which is up to 320 euro, once for each passed proficiency examination. The examinations must be passed from the lowest level to a higher level, i.e. if a person has passed a higher level examination and received reimbursement for that, then he or she is not eligible for reimbursement for passing a lower level examination. Reimbursements received within the framework of the programme “Language Learning Development 2007−2010” will also be taken into account.
 
Applications for reimbursement may be submitted within three months after receipt of a notice that informs about passing the Estonian language proficiency examination. The period starts from the seventh day after the notice on the passing examination is forwarded. The deadline for the reimbursement of applications is 30 September 2013.
 
The implementer of the programme has a right to ask for additional documents to prove that an application meets the conditions set for the grant of a reimbursement.
 
Determining the foreign language proficiency of students in their last year of mandatory basic education
 
The partner in implementing the activity and the person to conduct the survey is Foundation Innove
 
Within the framework of the activity, the level of foreign language proficiency in the five most widely taught foreign languages in the European Union (English, French, German, Spanish and Italian) of students in their last year of basic education (15−16-year olds) was studied with the European Survey on Language Competences.
 
Within the framework of the programme, in 2011 a survey was conducted in the schools in Estonia where the language of instruction is Estonian or Russian to determine the level of English and German proficiency. The indicator measured three partial skills: listening, reading and writing. During the programme, persons to conduct the test were trained, the level of quality was checked and test materials were printed. These activities were followed by a collection of information, participation in international training sessions designed for the heads of assessment groups of the English and German written tests, training the assessors and the assessment of written tests, entering, checking, coding and analysing information, and preparation of the final report.

The findings of the survey on language competences were revealed in June 2012 and they are available here. Based on the survey findings, it is possible to plan the integration process and direct the teaching process of languages in school to prepare young people to be successful in labour market in the future.
 
In addition to the costs incurred in relation to the above mentioned activities that are directly attributable to carrying out the survey and administrative costs, the costs incurred in relation to the national coordinator’s remuneration, the participation of coordinators in international meetings, and the participation of the Estonian member of the international advisory steering committee of the survey in the steering committee meetings were financed within the framework of the activity.