Estonia to triple amount of language teaching for refugees, spend EUR 400,000 in 2 yrs

  • 2018-01-31
  • LETA/TBT Staff

TALLINN - As of 2018, the amount of teaching of the Estonian language provided to refugees has been increased three times from 100 hours to 300 hours, and 400,000 euros has been earmarked for that purpose this year and in 2019.

Just like in 2016 and 2017, the teaching will be provided by the adult education provider Tartu Rahvaulikool, the successful offeror in a call for proposals, spokespeople for the Interior Ministry said.

Tartu Rahvaulikool made the sole offer in the call for proposals.

Of the 399,999 euros and 99 cents earmarked for language teaching for refugees in 2018-2019, 100,000 euros is provided by the Estonian state and 299,999 euros and 99 cents by the European Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF).

Language teaching with the A2 proficiency level as the goal will be provided to at least 150 people. All beneficiaries of international protection regardless of whether they have arrived in Estonia as part of regular migration or under the EU migrant distribution plan will be eligible for the program.

With 150 attendees, the cost of the program would be 2,666 euros and 67 cents per person.

About three quarters of the language training will take place in a classroom and a quarter, or about 75 hours, will consist of learning the language and rehearsing its use in different practical situations, including during attendance of language cafes, making of food, and computer training and using a computer.

In addition money will be provided for events and seminars to exchange experiences between teachers, for upgrades of methodology and the provision of child care for the children of participants in the program who do not go to a kindergarten yet.

In the period from 2016 to 2017, the volume of language teaching under a similar program was 100 hours per person and the cost of the program was 200,000 euros.