Kristel Kääramees

Teacher of Estonian:

I have been working as a language teacher since 2008. In 2024 I completed a micro credential program in teaching Estonian as a second language at the University of Tartu. You could say that teaching Estonian is my new passion. Estonian sounds especially beautiful in my classes! But most of all, I am happy that every bit of language skill opens our culture and society to students and gives them a better chance to become part of it. 

I think it is important that lessons are playful and communicative, and at the same time based on practical needs and situations. First of all, you have to be able to deal with simple everyday situations! I encourage students to use their language skills first in class and then in real life. 

In Estonia we have the most important thing for effective acquisition of the Estonian language –  the language environment. Plus lots of good learning materials. What is needed now is consistency and the courage to take the first steps! 

 Teacher of Swedish:

I have a degree in Swedish language and conference interpreting from the University of Tartu. I have been working as a Swedish language teacher since 2008 and during this time I have taught a wide variety of groups on the basis of Estonian and English. I have been teaching Swedish to adults and school children in Estonia as well as taught children at a Swedish school in Singapore. Currently, I mainly teach everyday conversational and business language in in-company trainings.  

When learning a language, I think the most important thing is for students to be able to communicate and enjoy their language skills. After all, language learning is also a great opportunity to learn about a new culture and society. I believe that modern IT solutions also make it easy to practise the language on your own, and I try to create opportunities for this in the course as well. The lessons should be playful and fun, which would bring a change of pace to the working day!