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“Implementing active learning methods in subject and language studies” language immersion methodology training
Jüri Secondary School will play host to the first session of a training course on language immersion methodology for subject teachers from basic schools in the Tallinn region on 7 and 8 May.
The total volume of the course is 80 hours, of which 48 will comprise seminars. The working language of the course is Estonian. The course is being organised by the Multicultural Education Unit of the Integration Foundation.
For further information please contact: Maire Kebbinau, Multicultural Education Unit / Telephone: +372 659 9847 / E-mail: maire.kebbinau@meis.ee
Study trip to Helsinki
On 8 May representatives of schools planning to take part in the language immersion programme and future teachers interested in language immersion work will be going on a study trip to visit Helsinki’s language immersion schools. The aim of the trip is to introduce the participants to immersion schools with experience in teaching in another language. They will meet students, teachers and education officials.
For further information please contact: Maire Kebbinau, Multicultural Education Unit / Telephone: +372 659 9847 / E-mail: maire.kebbinau@meis.ee
Study trip to Vaasa
A study trip to Vaasa in Finland will be taking place from 10 to 13 May for nursery school language immersion teachers as a joint project of the Multicultural Education Unit of the Integration Foundation and Vaasa University. During the trip the participants will visit the university, Vaasa Language Immersion Centre and language immersion nursery schools.
For further information please contact: Svetlana Belova, Multicultural Education Unit / Telephone: +372 659 9848 / E-mail: svetlana.belova@meis.ee
‘City of the Future’ game
The ‘City of the Future’ game will be taking place in Keila on 27 and 28 May with the support of the European Social Fund and the Ministry of Education and Research. The game was developed by the British Council in order to involve local residents in the development of their community.
Young people with different native languages work with city officials to produce potential solutions to key social issues. The ‘City of the Future’ game is being run as a joint initiative of the British Council, the Association of Estonian Open Youth Centres and the Integration Foundation.
For further information please contact: Lianne Ristikivi, Coordinator, Culture and Youth Work Unit / Telephone: +372 659 9028 / E-mail: lianne.ristikivi@meis.ee
Free constitution and citizenship law courses
The Integration Foundation has launched a partnership with BDA Consulting OÜ for the organisation of preparatory courses for the Estonian constitution and citizenship law examination for individuals with unspecified citizenship and citizens of third countries. The free courses will be offered to 2000 people until the end of 2010.
The first activity to be carried out will be training of teachers, which will take place in May. The courses themselves, including registration of participants, will start in May/June. More detailed information about the courses will be made available on the website of the Integration Foundation shortly.
The courses and related activities are being financed by the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals and from the resources of the State Chancellery.
For further information please contact: Tea Tammistu, Citizens Education Unit / Telephone: +372 659 9062 / E-mail: tea.tammistu@meis.ee
Best practice in the Netherlands
Ernst & Young Baltic AS, who are charged with the task of implementing the activities related to the “Updating of integration policy indicators” public procurement, will be organising a study trip to the Netherlands from 18-21 May for those officials responsible for introducing the Estonian Integration Strategy 2008-2013.
The aim of the trip is to gain experience in the best practice employed by member states of the European Union in the development and implementation of integration policy indicators.
During the trip the officials are scheduled to visit the Dutch Ministry of Integration; the Ministry for Residential Construction, Planning and the Environment; the Ministry of Education, Research and Culture; and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment.
The activities related to the public procurement are being financed by the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals and from the resources of the State Chancellery.
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See press release
For further information please contact: Kersti Peterson, Citizens Education Unit / Telephone: +372 659 9034 / E-mail: kersti.peterson@meis.ee
Winner of youth worker practical training procurement announced
The deadline for the “Organisation of practical training for youth workers in a multicultural environment” procurement was 14 April and the winner was Narva College of the University of Tartu.
The goal of the procurement is to improve the competence of youth workers in intercultural study methods for them to be able to work with young people in multicultural environments (i.e. people with different linguistic and cultural backgrounds) so as to facilitate the integration of young people – including those with third-country citizenship – into society and enhance their intercultural contacts and mutual trust.
The procurement envisages practical training for 18 youth workers in a multicultural environment. The procurement is being financed by the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals and from the resources of the Minister of Population Affairs.
For further information please contact: Kaie Kullik, Coordinator, Culture and Youth Work Unit / Telephone: +372 659 9025 / E-mail: kaie.kullik@meis.ee
Winner of “Estonian and Russian language courses for youth workers” procurement announced
The deadline for the “Estonian and Russian language courses for youth workers” simplified open procurement was 23 April and the winner was Narva College of the University of Tartu.
The goal of the procurement is to provide 20 youth workers whose native language is a language other than Estonian with the chance to improve the Estonian language skills that they need for their work.
At the same time, 20 youth workers who do not speak Russian as their native language will be able to improve their Russian skills for initial guidance of young people in their own language (primarily Russian) so that all young people enjoy equal youth work participation opportunities.
In-service training of 60 academic hours is planned to be organised in Harju, Ida-Viru and Tartu Counties.
The activities of this procurement are being financed by the Ministry of Education and Research.
For further information please contact: Kaie Kullik, Coordinator, Culture and Youth Work Unit / Telephone: +372 659 9025 / E-mail: kaie.kullik@meis.ee
“Training of mentors” simplified procurement launched
The aim of this procurement is to organise in-service training for mentors so that they are capable of supporting the individual language studies of secondary school subject teachers at schools with Russian as the language of instruction.
Up to 40 mentors who already have basic mentoring skills will take part in the training. The course will be held from May to July 2009.
The procurement competition is being organised as part of the ‘Language Studies Development 2007–2010’ programme, a measure of the ‘Lifelong Learning’ priority of the ‘Human Resources Development Plan’ financed by the European Social Fund.
The competition is open until 6 May.
See press release
For further information please contact: Natalia Reppo, Multicultural Education Unit / Telephone: +372 659 9855 / E-mail: natalia.reppo@meis.ee
“Supporting the acquisition of Estonian language skills in children with native languages other than Estonian in preschool children’s institutions” project competition launched
Projects may be submitted to the competition until 21 May. The project will lead to the creation of equal opportunities for children with native languages other than Estonian in acquiring basic education. The target groups for the project’s activities are children with native languages other than Estonian (with the exception of children of new immigrants) in Estonian- and Russian-language children’s institutions; teachers of Estonian as a second language, movement, music and group studies working with the children; and the children’s parents.
The project will support activities which contribute to children with native languages other than Estonian adapting to an Estonian-language learning environment; which promote cooperation and the sharing of practical experiences between nursery school teachers of Estonian as a second language, movement, music and group studies; which contribute to the creation of cooperation and friendship ties between nursery schools and educational institutions (other nursery schools, regional schools, interest schools, etc.); and which support the professional development of the teachers through in-service training.
For further information please contact: Marje Sarapuu, Multicultural Education Unit / Telephone: +372 659 9852 / E-mail: marje.sarapuu@meis.ee
For the latest updates see www.meis.ee
Project competition: Cultural activities for the promotion of a common field of information
May will see the launch of a project competition which will support cooperation projects involving theatres; the translation of literature and drama; and communication activities within the field of culture.
The aim of the competition is to translate Estonian literature and the works of Estonian dramatists into other languages (through written translations and performances), primarily Russian. The competition will also promote cooperation projects between theatres operating in Estonian and other languages; and intercultural communication with the involvement of citizens of the European Union (including Estonia) and of third countries within Europe (including individuals with unspecified citizenship).
The project competition is being financed by the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals and from the resources of the Minister of Population Affairs.
For further information please contact: Iris Järv, Coordinator, Culture and Youth Work Unit / Telephone: +372 659 9029 / E-mail: iris.jarv @meis.ee
