For the purpose of learning and practising Estonian, the Integration Foundation will organise six language camps this summer and five in 2025, where people of different language levels will be offered diverse opportunities to practise Estonian.
In 2024, the camps will take place in Saaremaa, in the village of Mändjala, at the Saare Hotel, at the following times:
- First and second camp, 14–20 July, language levels B1–B2
- Third and fourth camp, 17–23 August, language levels A1–A2
- Fifth and sixth camp, 2–8 September, language levels A1–A2
One camp session will accommodate twenty people. The camps are open to people who have successfully completed their studies and have expressed a strong desire to continue their studies at the next language level. Registration is open via ID card, Mobile-ID, or Smart-ID to adults from the age of 18 who have an Estonian personal identification code. Participation is free of charge.
Transport has been arranged for the participants from Harju County and Ida-Viru County to the camp and back, as well as to excursions and other trips during the camp. Buses depart from Tallinn. Participants from Narva, other parts of Ida-Viru County, and Harju County can come to Tallinn by train or bus. Tickets will be emailed to participants.
Before the camps take place, a video meeting is organised to introduce the participants to the camp programme, rules of procedure, team, transport, catering, etc.
The content of the camps is inspired by the nationwide theme year ‘Estonia’s cultural diversity’ and introduces the history of Estonian folk culture and different areas of folklore. The camps will be based on language immersion methodology and active learning methods, and will be structured around communicative language learning, interaction situations, and engaging language practice activities. The main learning objectives of the camps are: a) developing language skills, b) building confidence to communicate in Estonian, c) learning new words and expressions, d) developing writing skills, e) developing listening skills, and d) learning about Estonian history, geography, and culture.
The camps are run by Kiri-Mari Kirjastus OÜ.
The camps will be carried out in the framework of project no. 2021-2027.4.07.23-0006 ‘Activities supporting Estonian language learning and civic education’, sub-activity No. 3.4.4.5 ‘Launching cooperation and language camps for adults and other activities supporting language learning and the use of Estonian’, financed by a grant of the European Social Fund Plus.
