This summer, the Integration Foundation will launch support for the teaching of native language and culture in hobby schools of national minorities. The basis for the support is the regulation of the Minister of Education and Research ‘Terms and conditions of and procedure for granting support for language and culture education of national minorities in hobby schools’, which entered into force on 27 April 2025 and which transfers the distribution of support from the Ministry of Education and Research to our foundation.

The aim of the support is to help children and young people with a mother tongue other than Estonian learn and preserve their native language and learn about their national culture. The grant will be used to teach children and young people in hobby schools of national minorities their mother tongue, i.e. the language and culture of the specific minority. The aim is to keep the cultural traditions of national minorities alive among children and young people and to get young people more involved in the activities of their own cultural associations.

Ethnic minorities living in Estonia are guaranteed opportunities to preserve their language and cultural specificities, in particular for children and young people through the learning of their native language and culture. Preserving the languages and cultures of ethnic minorities enriches the society, helps to preserve cultural heritage and develop young people with strong identities.

The Integration Foundation has been supporting hobby schools of national minorities and the native language education they provide since 2003. In 2018–2024, the allocation of grants was transferred to the Ministry of Education and Research, and from this year onwards, our foundation will take over again.

In addition to studies, the grants have been used to organise visits to museums and exhibitions, attend performances, celebrate national holidays, buy teaching materials and folk costumes, and much more.

In 2024, 33 hobby schools of national minorities received state support.

A call for applications is also open on our website until 2 June.

Taotlusvoor „Toetus huvikoolidele rahvusvähemuste keele- ja kultuuriõppeks“ | Integratsiooni Sihtasutus

In the second half of this year, we will offer a total of nearly 1,600 adults who have lived in Estonia for at least five years or have returned here the possibility to take free Estonian language courses. Registration for the first part of the courses – 800 study places at various language schools – will open in our self-service environment on Tuesday, 3 June at 10 a.m.

• General information
• Estonian language courses in the second half of 2025
• Registration from 3 June
• Registration in August

General information

We offer opportunities for adults who have lived in Estonia for at least five years and 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.

For more information on all language learning and practice opportunities offered to adults who have lived here for at least five years or returned here, visit our self-service environment.

Estonian language courses in the second half of 2025

Starting on 3 June at 10 a.m., 800 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 will open 50 study groups with language schools where you can start your studies in August or September and study online or in different regions of Estonia (e.g. in Tallinn, Jõhvi, Tartu, and Valga).

Starting in August, 832 adults who have lived in Estonia for at least five years or who have returned here will be able to register for similar communication courses, which we conduct at our Estonian Language House and organise at the language schools. We plan to open 52 study groups where you can start your studies in September or October and study online or in larger cities (e.g. Tallinn and Narva).

Those interested can choose a suitable study group based on the course level, time, and location. Each learner can only participate in a communication course at the same language proficiency level once.

Students will have to participate in study group classes and learn independently (there are various homework assignments, as well as the ability to use online solutions and participate in activities that support language learning).

Registration from 3 June

On Tuesday, 3 June at 10 a.m., adults who have lived in Estonia for at least five years or have returned here can register for communication courses, where they can learn Estonian at levels A1, A2, B1.1, and B1.2. The courses start in August or September. Registration will be opened in the self-service environment.

Those interested can choose from among 50 study groups:

Registration in August

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

Additional information

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

The Integration Foundation is organizing information sessions in May and June to provide details about Estonian language learning and other state support available for acquiring Estonian citizenship. In the first week, over 200 people registered for the online sessions held in Russian and English, and registration is ongoing via the website integratsioon.ee/kodanik.

“The first session on May 5 took place in a very constructive and positive atmosphere, and soon after we began receiving applications for our language learning conract programme, which supports people on their path to citizenship,” said Jekaterina Gvozdeva, Head of Civic Education at the Integration Foundation. “We’re seeing the greatest interest in questions about legislation, language studies, and study leave.”

According to Gvozdeva, the first session saw the most questions about residence permits and the required duration of stay in Estonia – i.e., the legal requirements for applying for citizenship. There was also significant interest in the study leave and compensation available for employed individuals through the language learning contract programme.

“Language learning remains a crucial topic. Although many see achieving B1 level as a challenge, our experience, client success stories, and official statistics show that passing the exam is a very realistic goal for most. Our role is to provide support and encouragement throughout the process,” Gvozdeva added.

Three more sessions will take place before the beginning of summer – on May 12 and 19, and on June 2. There is no limit on the number of participants, and the sessions will be held online, allowing participants to choose a suitable time and language. Registration for the information sessions is available on the website integratsioon.ee/en/kodanik.

Ukrainian citizens who have been granted international protection in Estonia can attend free Estonian language courses and adaptation trainings provided by the national adaptation programme Settle in Estonia. Participants can start their studies only in May, June, July, or August of this year by signing up now in the programme’s self-service.

For Ukrainian citizens who have come to Estonia from the war zone, the international protection status is accompanied by the obligation to complete Estonian language courses at levels A1, A2, and B1 and adaptation trainings introducing local life, as provided for in the national adaptation programme Settle in Estonia. Completing these courses and trainings is essential for renewing the protection status. 

For Ukrainian citizens who have come to Estonia from the war zone, the international protection status is accompanied by the obligation to complete Estonian language courses at levels A1, A2, and B1 and adaptation trainings introducing local life, as provided for in the national adaptation programme Settle in Estonia. Completing these courses and trainings is essential for renewing the protection status. 

The courses being offered start in May, June, July, or August of this year, either online or on site in Keila, Tallinn, Tartu, Pärnu, Rapla, Valga, and Viljandi. 

Ukrainian citizens can choose the Estonian language course and adaptation training that is right for them from those that have places available. You can check the current status of available places in Estonian language courses on the adaptation programme Settle in Estonia (https://settleinestonia.ee/login), where you can immediately sign up for a suitable course and training. 

The Integration Foundation supports integration in Estonia through a wide range of activities. Among other things, the foundation helps new immigrants – people who have been living in Estonia for less than five years – settle in. To this end, the foundation offers Estonian language courses, adaptation trainings, and other activities, such as field trips and community events, with both state and European Union funding. Full details can be found at https://www.integratsioon.ee/en/kohanemine.  

IMPORTANT

Within the framework of the national adaptation programme Settle in Estonia, newly arrived immigrants with varying legal statuses can learn Estonian and complete adaptation training. An overview can be found at https://integratsioon.ee/en/kohanemine.

Ukrainian war refugees who have been granted temporary protection will be able to register for Estonian language courses again at the end of May. Courses at levels A1, A2, and B1 are planned.

Currently, newly arrived newcomers who have arrived in the course of conventional migration can register for courses starting in August, September, and October. 

Newly arrived newcomers can send specifying questions by email: info@settleinestonia.ee.

Ukrainian citizens who have been granted international protection in Estonia can attend free Estonian language courses and adaptation trainings provided by the national adaptation programme Settle in Estonia. Participants can start their studies only in May, June, July, or August of this year by signing up now in the programme’s self-service.

For Ukrainian citizens who have come to Estonia from the war zone, the international protection status is accompanied by the obligation to complete Estonian language courses at levels A1, A2, and B1 and adaptation trainings introducing local life, as provided for in the national adaptation programme Settle in Estonia. Completing these courses and trainings is essential for renewing the protection status. 

For Ukrainian citizens who have come to Estonia from the war zone, the international protection status is accompanied by the obligation to complete Estonian language courses at levels A1, A2, and B1 and adaptation trainings introducing local life, as provided for in the national adaptation programme Settle in Estonia. Completing these courses and trainings is essential for renewing the protection status. 

The courses being offered start in May, June, July, or August of this year, either online or on site in Keila, Tallinn, Tartu, Pärnu, Rapla, Valga, and Viljandi. 

Ukrainian citizens can choose the Estonian language course and adaptation training that is right for them from those that have places available. You can check the current status of available places in Estonian language courses on the adaptation programme Settle in Estonia (https://settleinestonia.ee/login), where you can immediately sign up for a suitable course and training. 

The Integration Foundation supports integration in Estonia through a wide range of activities. Among other things, the foundation helps new immigrants – people who have been living in Estonia for less than five years – settle in. To this end, the foundation offers Estonian language courses, adaptation trainings, and other activities, such as field trips and community events, with both state and European Union funding. Full details can be found at https://www.integratsioon.ee/en/kohanemine.  

IMPORTANT

Within the framework of the national adaptation programme Settle in Estonia, newly arrived immigrants with varying legal statuses can learn Estonian and complete adaptation training. An overview can be found at https://integratsioon.ee/en/kohanemine.

Ukrainian war refugees who have been granted temporary protection will be able to register for Estonian language courses again at the end of May. Courses at levels A1, A2, and B1 are planned.

Currently, newly arrived newcomers who have arrived in the course of conventional migration can register for courses starting in August, September, and October. 

Newly arrived newcomers can send specifying questions by email: info@settleinestonia.ee.