Language

Estonian language learning is categorised into levels. Levels run from A1 (beginner) to C2 (fluent in business and professional language)* and help you to get a feel for how demanding a course may be.

Language levels are also used in job adverts for describing the level of language proficiency required. 

 *According to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

There are many options to learn Estonian online or from language books and CDs. You’ll probably find the pronunciation most challenging at first, so using a guide with audio content is essential – these are available through YouTube, private web-based language schools and online courses. 

• Keeleklikk offers a more comprehensive course. You can learn Estonian from 0 to A2 level and use both English and Russian as a base language.
• Keeletee.ee – online Estonian language courses for beginners and advanced, interactive exercises, animation, video, tests.
• Try Lingvist’s Essential Estonian, to get the basics of Estonian. This local startup, which uses artificial intelligence to make learning faster and more efficient, released a compact course of 100 essential phrases in Estonian that’s available through their app for free.
• Kutsekeel.ee – study materials with professional vocabulary
• Speakly.me is another interesting app to learn some Estonian. Be sure to use the WORKINESTONIA code to get free access.
• Multikey.app is for you if you are looking for a language buddy. Get to practice with real persons!

These are just some of the online courses – for up-to-date information and additional resources visit the Studying Estonian independently page of the Integration Foundation website.

Once in Estonia, you can join an established language class or find a private tutor. There are several reputable private language schools in larger cities and towns. You may also be able to attend a language class at one of our universities. Just contact your chosen university in September and ask for a beginners’ course. They will tell you the rest.

The best way to start is by just doing an Internet search. Ask for recommendations from expat communities, Facebook or try advertising (or replying to an advert) for a language practice swap (frequently advertised in the universities).

Another popular choice is to join the winter or summer schools arranged by Tallinn or Tartu Universities. These intensive courses – lasting 3-4 weeks on average – are competitively priced, come with cultural activities and are taught in English or Finnish.

If you need an official certificate, the governmental organization Innove has different dates for taking exams all year. Moreover, if you successfully pass the tests you might be eligible to receive a refund for the expenses you had on learning the language. Read more here.

Once you have a basic grasp of the language, it’s time to put it into practice. Apart from advertising in universities and on Facebook, there’s a popular “Foreigners Learning Estonian” group in Tallinn – which prefers a more social approach to language learning.

The Integration Foundation (INSA) and the Eesti Keele Maja (Estonian Language House) also offers different non-formal learning possibilities, such as language cafes, tandem learning, different workshops and events.

Language camps are more immersive experiences for younger ones. You can find which ones are available at the following websites:

• Global Estonians website
• Integration Foundation language camps (registration is free).

Learn these useful (or not so useful) phrases and show off your skills.

 Useful stuff

• jah – yes
• ei – no

• palun – please; you’re welcome
• aitäh – thanks

• tere – hi, hello
• nägemist! – bye, see you!

• vabandust – sorry
• pole viga – no problem

• kas te räägite inglise keelt? – do you speak English? (polite)
• ma ei räägi eesti keelt – I don’t speak Estonian

• ma saan aru – I understand
• ma ei saa aru – I don’t understand

• ma tean – I know
• ma ei tea – I don’t know

• palun aidake! – please help!
• ma olen eksinud – I’m lost
• kas teiega on kõik korras? – are you OK? (polite)

• kuidas läheb – how’s it going?
• tänan, hästi – I’m fine, thanks
• normaalselt – I’m OK
• läheb – it’s going OK
• halvasti – bad

• mis su nimi on? – what’s your name? (familiar)
• minu nimi on … – my name is …
• ma olen … – I’m …
• tore sinuga tuttavaks saada – good to meet you (familiar)

• mis tööd sa teed? – what do you do? (familiar)
• ma olen … – I’m a …
• õpetaja – teacher
• üliõpilane – (university) student
• ajakirjanik – journalist
• veebidisainer – web designer
• arst – doctor

Now you’re just showing off….!

• Habemeajaja ajas asjaajaja ja teerajaja habet.

“The barber was cutting the beard of the secretary and the pioneer” – a phrase apparently used to check sobriety. Let’s face it, it’s not going to come up in conversation very much, is it?

• Kuulilennuteetunneliluuk

“The hatch at the end of the tunnel, where the bullet is flying.” Not only a tongue twister, but also a palindrome.

• Kummikutes kummitus kummitas kummutis.

It may sound like the declension of a noun, but no – “A ghost with rubber boots is haunting the chest of drawers.”

• Kuuuurija istus töööös jäääärel.

Enough vowels for you? “The lunar scientist worked during the night by the edge of the ice.”

General learning

Foreigners Learning Estonian Facebook group
A&E Keeltekool
City Language School
Multilingua Language Center
Opus Lingua Language School
TEA Language School
Tallinn (Estonia) Language Exchange
10 Tongue Twisters To Get You Started on Estonian

Summer schools

Tallinn University Summer School
University of Tartu International Summer University

Others

Töötukassa (Unemployment Insurance Fund) also might help with language courses if part of your job-seeking efforts.

Keeleinspektsioon (Language Inspection Office) also has a list of language learning companies with a good track record.

Additional ressources

Integration Foundation website gives a thorough overview of different online tools, seminars, language courses and summer camps to learn Estonian.