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I have always been fascinated by languages – each language has its own sound, its own story and its own world. So for me, it’s always exciting to start learning a new language – you step into a new world, which you gradually begin to hear, understand, express yourself in, and the world begins to speak to you.
In 1996, by a happy coincidence, I fell into learning Dutch, not knowing that this language and this linguistic space would become an important part of my life. After my studies in the Netherlands, and after a brief introduction to Flemish language and culture at the University of Ghent, I returned to Estonia to study English at the Estonian Institute of Humanities and to graduate from Tallinn University, where I also studied cultural theory. I have been teaching Dutch for over 20 years. I have also worked as a guide and occasionally as a translator. In recent years I have also taught Estonian to beginners. While teaching my mother tongue, I have increasingly realised how important it is to open up the etymological and cultural background of the language, in addition to the basic knowledge.
Direct and friendly contact helps to overcome the language barrier, encourages speaking a new language, and the greatest joy for me as a teacher is when a student starts to take an interest in the language, learn it and discover the language space on their own. I really hope that by teaching languages, I can also give my students a glimpse into a new world that has enriched my life and brought about many good turns on my path.
As an adult educator, I:
- prepare training plans and plan learning activities based on Multilingua curricula; prepare and adapt learning materials based on the curriculum/training programme;
- 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;
- continuously gather feedback from learners about the learning process, and inform both the learner and the contact person at Multilingua about the results of the language learning;
- analyse and evaluate my own activities in the learning process; recognise my strengths and development needs;
- 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; am able to search for information online using a critical evaluation of sources.
I develop my professional competence continuously by participating in Multilingua’s in-house training sessions, seminars and workshops.
I have participated in a foreign language teachers’ conference and delivered a workshop on the Dutch language.
I participated in an Erasmus+ learning mobility as a job-shadow in Madrid and attended an intensive language course as a learner in Málaga.
