Ruta Bergman

I graduated in 2000 from the University of Tallinn in the specialty of German philology. Life, however, took me away from Estonia for 10 years. During 2003-2010, I taught the Estonian language to the students of Warsaw University and everybody interested in the language. I have been working at Multilingua since 2014 on teaching Estonian both individually, in groups or through Skype. I have complimented my skills in various training in both Estonia and abroad.

I have always been fascinated by teaching and learning Estonian. The Estonian language is like a big jigsaw puzzle that needs to be put together piece by piece. The wow – moments of the students make teaching even more enjoyable. It is very interesting and exciting to work with people from different countries and cultures.

I try to create a pleasant atmosphere in my classes and make the learning process as enjoyable and varied as possible. On choosing the topics, I will be guided by the learners’ needs and interests and use various teaching materials. The most important thing in language learning is the will and courage to speak! If you speak Estonian, a completely new Estonia will open up for you!

As an adult educator, I: 

• identify the needs and expectations of the study group; prepare and adapt teaching materials based on the curriculum/training programme;  

• 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; 

• analyse the learning process, assess learners’ learning outcomes; 

• 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 actively participate in its events. 

I have conducted training sessions for language teachers on the topic “Using Games in the Language Classroom”.  

I have participated in the following Erasmus+ learning mobilities: job-shadowing at IULCF in Toulouse, France, in 2024; a course “Intercultural Trainer ” in Potsdam, Germany in 2023. Four-country strategic cooperation project “Developing and Sharing Adults´ Language Teachers´ (e)Skills“ in Estepa, Spain in 2022; a course “Museum education, Cultural heritage and Schools”, in Athens, Greece in 2019; a course “The Gateway Teacher Training Secondary, Tertiary and Adult Education Program” in Malta in 2018; course “CLIL” in Florence, Italy in 2017. 

I create learning materials for my own learners.