BONJOUR L'ESTONIE

Estonia fears English too dominant in its schools

TALLINN  — Education authorities in Estonia Thursday warned that the hands-down dominance of English in its schools is depriving the Baltic state of the language specialists it will need in the future.

A hefty 84 percent of pupils in this country of 1.3 million people opt to study English, according to official statistics.

Some 41 percent take Russian as a foreign language. Russian is also the native tongue of around a third of the population.

German and French, meanwhile, come in a distant third and fourth, studied respectively by just 18 percent and three percent of pupils.

"As a result, Estonia is now lacking and also likely far into the future to lack a sufficient number of specialists able to work in other official languages of the European Union," Kersti Sostar, head of the language department of Estonia's state examination and qualification centre, told AFP.

Estonia joined the EU in 2004, 13 years after breaking free from the crumbling Soviet Union.

Since independence, the country has enjoyed spiralling economic growth rates and, thanks to its flourishing hi-tech industry, has earned the nickname "E-stonia".

Estonia : New Phenomenon ‘Home Education’

In Estonia, home education is still quite a new phenomenon, however, thanks to a certain education minister, we are doing better now. At the moment it is allowed by law to home educate until the end of grade 6 (about the age of 12).

We started a support centre for home education in 2005 (The Estonian Centre for Home Education) and have organized conferences and published articles. Our aim has been to change the law in that children could be home educated throughout the school years.

However, the government suprised us very positively few weeks ago by releasing a document which makes it possible to home educate until the age of 16, when the child leaves compulsory education. This will become the law from the 1st September 2008.

If anyone wants to know more about home education in Estonia then you can always visit our website at (unfortunately not everything is accessible in English).

Source : The Estonian Centre For Home Education

University’s Russian plan draws fire

By Steve Roman

TALLINN - After drawing heavy criticism from Estonia’s Language Commission, the Senate of Tallinn University on Nov. 12 postponed its decision on whether to start a program next year that would let students earn bachelor’s degrees studying in the Russian language.

The planned program, Katariina (Catherine’s) College, envisages offering degrees in humanitarian and social sciences to about 500 students.

They know what you did last summer...and that's why they want YOU !

I´m sure you all have loads and loads of pictures taken in summer universities or during different exchange programs, you´ve taken part of and...now it´s time to share your experience with fellow students !
So...
Check your computers, pick up the nicest ones and...Join AEGEE photo-competition !

Education Action week is organized in 20 European cities, from as westwards as Belgium and Spain to as eastwards as Russia and Azerbaijan between October 21 and 27. Various formats cover multiple topics which have been chosen to satisfy existing information hunger : mobility programs, Bologna Process, life-long-learning, etc. etc – all these terms will get sense after the Education Action Week. Also here in Tallinn !

New academic year has begun. New challenges are ahead, and many of European students will not only get deep into their subjects, but also take an insight in how to make their education more successful, useful and interesting on Education Action week in October.

Here in Tallinn they will organize a photo exhibition about non-formal education, different ways and the importance of it. Students, that have taken part of summer universities or different exchange programs, will share their experiences and through their photos bring to you unforgettable memories, funny moments and pleasant activities.

Estonian language reform begins in Russian-speaking schools

Narva - High school students in this Russian-speaking city returned to class with a new twist to the curriculum: Estonian literature is now being taught in Estonian.

The switch from Russian may seem like a small and logical move — after all this is Estonia — but the students were skeptical.

"I'm not sure it's right," said Vladimir Smirnov, 17, at the Pahklimae school in Narva, a city on the Russian border. "In my opinion, the government should make our country multinational."

For the first time, high schools catering to the Baltic nation's Russian-speakers — about one-third of the 1.3 million residents — are required this year to teach at least one subject in Estonian.

It is the first step of the government's plan to boost Estonian-language instruction among the country's Russian-speaking minority, most of whom moved here during five decades of Soviet occupation.

Language law fuels school debate in Estonia

Russian-speaking children in Estonia are in for big changes when the new school year starts next month. Fresh laws mean all lessons have to be taught in Estonian, the country's only official language.

The government in Tallinn insists the new rules will help integrate Estonian society, a quarter of which is ethnic Russian.  The move is in line with regulations making it impossible to get an Estonian passport without a basic knowledge of the country's language. 

Some Russian speakers fear the new laws will lead to falling standards in Russian schools.

“Estonia is not prepared to provide enough Estonian-speaking teachers for the Russian schools, so the quality of those schools will simply go downhill,” warned Natasha, a local citizen and a mother of small girl.

Free language classes to pass the test are not being taken up en masse.  So, a sizeable chunk of ethnic Russians in the Baltic country hold neither a Russian nor an Estonian passport.

Eesti Koolimiss 2007

Finalistid

31. märtsil klubis Parlement osalevad:

1. Anastassia Rumjantseva - Narva Humanitaargümnaasium
2. Marili Pilt - J. Liivi nim. Alatskivi Keskkool
3. Krõõt Kroonmäe - Noarootsi Gümnaasium
4. Teele Viira - Kuressaare Gümnaasium
5. Liana Iila - Kiviõli I Kk
6. Merli Müürsepp - J. V. Veski nim Maarja Põhikool
7. Anna Besst - Pirita Majandusgümnaasium
8. Veera Stepanova - Tallinna Tõnismäe Reaalkool
9. Jekaterina Andrejeva - Tartu Annelinna Gümnaasium
10. Stiina Kulasalu - Valga Põhikool
11. Liisi Kaljuste - Tsirguliina Keskkool
12. Riina Soo - Tartu Tamme Gümnaasium
13. Mari Otto - Käina Gümnaasium
14. Marliis Lahesalu - Kärdla Ühisgümnaasium
15. Jekaterina Kolkina - Kohtla-Järve Ahtme Gümnaasium
16. Kati Maivel - Haapsalu Wiedemann Gümnaasium
17. Kady Põldmaa - Rõngu Keskkool
18. Veronica Reimaa - Tartu Kommertsgümnaasium
19. Jekaterina Kamilova - Tallinna Humanitaargümnaasium
20. Kadri Naaber - Tartu Waldorfgümnaasium
21. Kadi Tamm - Ülenurme Gümnaasium
22. Kärt Kallaste - Tallinna Reaalkool (Kesklinna kaunitar)

Study of religion mandatory in all high schools !

Parliament’s culture committee decided to back a bill that would make the study of religion mandatory in all high schools. Parliament will start the bill’s first reading on Feb. 13, Committee Chairman Olav Aarna (Pro Patria and Res Publica) said.

The committee okayed the bill with six votes for and one against. Aarna said he hopes the bill will be adopted by this month.

If the legislation is passed, the study of religion would become mandatory in high schools, and in primary schools it would remain voluntary, though schools will have to add it to curriculum if five pupils express a wish to study religion.

Currently religious courses are offered if at least 15 pupils request a desire to study the subject.

Andrus Ansip : Persons with a doctoral level degree are the development engine of our future

Prime Minister Andrus Ansip made a speech today at the University of Tartu seminar “Doctors to become the development engine of Estonia’s future”. In his speech, the prime minister expressed his belief that Estonia’s development depends on people who are able to create new and useful knowledge.

“We must be able to produce enough doctors to supply not only the universities, but also businesses and the public sector with them and their ideas,” stressed the prime minister. He also stated : “Not only do we need people with a doctoral level degree, but we need doctors who are able to compete on the international scene –– whether academic or business.

According to the prime minister, Estonia’s economic success can only be based on the development of high value added sectors. Demographic statistics show that Estonia’s working-age population may decline by one-quarter over the next 50 years. But goal-setting must not be motivated by fear of labour reduction, but by faith in a knowledge-based economy.

"To improve the wealth and viability of the Estonian people and keep up with global competition, our choice must be aimed at labour productivity and investments,” said Ansip. “This is why doctors are so important,” he stressed.

16th-22nd October 2006 : Students Days in Tartu

* This year's Tartu Autumn Days are focusing on the student spirit and inviting all students to enjoy the best time of their life - their years in university.

Autumn Days are a time to take a break from your everyday routine, enjoy youth and being a student to the fullest. During this festive a week, several cultural and entertainment events will take place where you can keep your spirits up and be a part of the bustling student spirit.

Autumn Days are offering you the chance to be active and enthusiastic and do the kinds of crazy things that you may not have time for in your everyday life. This one week concentrates culture and sports, entertainment and new knowledge, romance for your soul and adrenaline for your spirit.

Come, be a part of Tartu Autumn Days October 16-22 and feel the frisky sense of freedom and joy of doing thigs by yourself that are an essential part of student years.

Program for the 16th and 17th :