Annika Bauer

I obtained my profession as a teacher of Estonian of a second language at Tallinn Pedagogical University, where I graduated from the specialty of the Estonian language and as a foreign language and cultural history in 2000.   At the same time, I defended a Master’s degree in the specialty of language editor in 2010. I have been working as a teacher of Estonian as a second language for nearly twenty years. I started teaching at the Multilingua language school where I work till today. From 2018, I teach Estonian as a second language at Tallinn University. I have been teaching Estonian mainly at levels A2, B1 and B2, but also at C1 level. There have also been a number of private students among my students.

In language learning, I consider the development of communication skills most important, and I do this through role-plays, group and pairs. Grammar and writing skills occupy an important place in the studies. I always try to create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere in my classrooms, so that students will be in good spirits and leave with ever greater spirits.

As an adult educator, I: 

• identify the needs and expectations of the study group, prepare the training content and select the teaching methods based on the intended learning outcomes and previous feedback; 

• create a physical, mental, and social environment conducive to language learning; support the learners, notice and recognise changes in the learners’ development, and respond to situations in the learning process in a supportive manner; 

• regularly collect feedback from the learners on the learning process; analyse the learning process, assess learners’ learning outcomes; 

• analyse and evaluate my own activities in the learning process; recognise my strengths and development needs; engage in continuous professional development; update training content and teaching methods, revising and modernizing them as needed; 

• use relevant information and communication technology (ICT) tools (e.g., interactive smartboards, online platforms such as Zoom and/or Teams, ML information system, cloud services such as Google Drive and/or OneDrive, e-learning platforms, etc.) in the preparation, delivery, and evaluation of the teaching and learning process, as well as for supporting my own professional development. 

I am a member of the Estonian Association of Teachers as a Second Language (EKTKÕL) and regularly participate in training courses and events organised by both EKTKÕL and the Estonian Association of Foreign Language Teachers (EVÕL). 

I have participated in Erasmus+ learning mobility programmes through Tallinn University, including language learning activities in Finland, Luxembourg, Spain, and Latvia; as well as projects focussed on the teaching and learning of Estonian in Montpellier, Paris and Brussels (Erasmus+ projects, 2022-2025).