Heli Klooster

I am an elementary teacher, special needs teacher, and speech therapist, however, my life took me away from education at one point. The desire to help brought me back to teaching: I started teaching Estonian to Ukrainians as a volunteer, and this led to a new journey that is very close to my heart. I have been a teacher at Multilingua since 2024, and I focus on teaching Estonian to adults at the beginner level.

This work gives me real joy. In front of the class, I feel more like a supporter than a traditional teacher – I’m just a person who knows Estonian a little better and helps others to achieve it. Adult learners inspire me with their experiences and their desire to learn something completely new. At the same time, I understand how difficult it can be to find the time and energy to learn a language while juggling family and work. That is why it is important for me to create an atmosphere in the  classroom where learning is natural, friendly and encouraging.

I believe that the best learning happens when you learn at your own pace, step by step, building on what you already know. When new knowledge is a reasonable challenge, there is joy, interest and confidence. And most importantly, making mistakes is completely natural. Mistakes are not an obstacle, but a part of the journey.

For me, language learning is first and foremost about collaboration. When we learn together it is easier, more fun and we feel braver!

As an adult educator, I: 

• plan the study objectives, learning outcomes, and training content; prepare training plans and plan learning activities based on Multilingua curricula; 

• base my approach on the learners’ needs and adapt learning stages or working methods as required; 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; 

• pay attention to my physical, mental, and emotional well-being, maintain a healthy work-life balance; 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.