Submitted by Triinu
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This blog post was written by our student ambassador Ana, who is a student of the semiotics programme at the University of Tartu.
When you arrive in Estonia, either to study or work, there is one very useful and rewarding step that is highly recommended: learning the Estonian language.
Estonian is considered one of the most difficult languages to learn, especially because it is not part of the Indo-European language family. That being said, many foreign students and expats living in Estonia prefer to stick to English, as most Estonians speak it very well. Still, many students take beginner-level Estonian courses, learn a few basic phrases, and manage everyday situations such as shopping or ordering food.
This year, I achieved a C1 level in Estonian by successfully completing the “Estonian for Advanced Learners: B2.2–C1.1” course at the University of Tartu. In this blog, I am going to share my experience of taking and passing this course, as well as the benefits and opportunities it has brought me. Hopefully, this blog will inspire foreign students and expats living in Estonia to continue learning Estonian and strive for higher levels of proficiency. It may not be easy at the beginning, and there will certainly be many challenges along the way, but as the old Estonian saying goes: “Pea vastu!” (“Don’t give up!”)
Taking the C1 Course and Passing It with Flying Colours
I decided to take a C1-level Estonian course at the University of Tartu primarily because of my work. I work as an English and French teacher in an Estonian elementary school, and until now I had managed with my B2-level Estonian. However, a C1 level is officially required for working in the education sector, and I also felt a strong need to improve my speaking and grammar skills. My students often laughed whenever I mispronounced a word or made a grammatical mistake, which motivated me even more to continue learning.
I enrolled in the C1 Estonian course for this semester. All lessons were held online via Zoom because I no longer live in Tartu and was unable to attend classes in person. During the course, we did a great deal of group work and discussed exercises together, searching for the most suitable solutions.
The main topics covered in the course included consumer rights in Estonia, the Estonian education system, health, human anatomy and illnesses, recycling, and environmental protection. For each topic, we had to read numerous texts in Estonian, watch documentary videos, listen to interviews, and write our own reflections and opinions on the issues discussed.
As mentioned earlier, group work played an important role in the course. We frequently discussed assignments and possible solutions with our classmates, which helped us practise and improve our conversational skills in Estonian. We also completed individual assignments, including filling in gaps in texts after listening exercises, choosing the correct forms of verbs and numbers, marking statements as true or false based on texts and videos, and writing our own opinions on various topics.
The course dynamics were excellent. There was never a dull moment; we were constantly engaged in discussions, collaborative tasks, and language practice. In addition, we had to give a seven-minute presentation in Estonian about an Estonian television show of our choice.
I passed both written tests and the oral examination with high scores, which made me extremely happy and proud. Overall, it was a memorable and valuable course that I would recommend to anyone wishing to continue learning Estonian. Reaching the C1 level is a rewarding achievement that makes all the hard work worthwhile.
Benefits of Having a C1 Level in Estonian
Besides finally obtaining official confirmation of my language skills for work purposes, achieving a C1 level in Estonian has brought many other benefits and opportunities.
I have learned a vast number of new words and expressions, improved my understanding of grammar, and become familiar with many colloquial phrases and slang terms. I can now speak Estonian much more confidently, without constantly worrying about mispronouncing words or constructing sentences incorrectly. Of course, I still make occasional mistakes, but I am far more aware of them and able to correct myself. For me, this self-awareness is a crucial part of language learning and improvement.
Another important benefit is that I am now able to discuss my worries, fears, and personal challenges more openly and precisely with my psychiatrist in Estonian. She has always been impressed by my language skills and consistently encouraged me to continue studying Estonian and improving further.
I can also watch films and read books in Estonian without needing subtitles or translations. This year, I even performed my own poetry in Estonian at Tartu Slam Poetry (Tarslämm), which took place in Tartu on Emakeelepäev (Mother Tongue Day) on 14 March. Although I did not win, it was still an incredibly valuable experience because it was the first time I had presented my work live in Estonian.
My next goal will most likely be to take the official C1 state examination in Estonian to crown this achievement. Of course, I will also continue speaking, writing, listening, laughing, and even crying in Estonian.
For those of you who are considering starting your Estonian language-learning journey, I highly recommend the Estonian language courses offered by the University of Tartu. The teachers are knowledgeable, patient, and supportive, and the learning environment is both engaging and motivating.
There are also excellent online resources available, such as Keeleklikk and Speakly. However, in my opinion, learning a language together with supportive classmates and experienced teachers provides a richer and more effective learning experience.
Jõudu õppimiseks ja pea vastu!
Find out which international degree programmes are available for you in Estonia.
Read more blog posts:
- Get to know Estonian universities through virtual tours!
- 7 benefits of studying abroad
- Studying in Estonia: Frequently Asked Questions