Sandra Sainio

Estonian language teacher

I graduated from Tallinn University as a teacher of Estonian as a second language in 2023. I started teaching Estonian as a second language to private students in 2021, and after obtaining my qualification, I have taught Estonian at Tallinn University, the Estonian Academy of Arts and language schools.

I am also a Chinese language teacher by profession. I started teaching Chinese in 2008, and completed my Master’s degree in Chinese as a second language teacher in China in 2015. My target group has always been adult language learners. 

At the moment, I am mainly focused on teaching Estonian, but I enjoy introducing both languages and cultures equally. As a Chinese language teacher, I am given the opportunity to pass on knowledge of an exotic and fascinating culture, while as an Estonian as a second language teacher, I am able to experience different cultural spaces myself, thanks to the students who have come to Estonian lessons from different parts of the world.

I really enjoy my job and always try to plan lessons where I would like to participate in as a language learner myself. For me, a successful lesson is one where there is a lot of fun and everyone feels at ease. My motto in Chinese classes has always been “As simple as Chinese!”, because I believe that with the right tools and methods, even complex languages can be made simple and understandable. I always take the same attitude into my Estonian lessons.

Chinese language teacher

I started teaching Chinese in 2008, and completed my Master’s degree in Chinese as a second language teacher in China in 2015. I have taught Chinese in various language schools as well as at Tallinn University. As a Chinese language teacher, my target group has always been adult language learners.  In 2023, I also graduated from Tallinn University as a teacher of Estonian as a second language. 

I enjoy introducing both languages and cultures equally. As a Chinese language teacher, I am given the opportunity to pass on knowledge of an exotic and fascinating culture, while as an Estonian as a second language teacher, I am able to experience different cultural spaces myself through learners who have come from all over the world for Estonian lessons.

I really enjoy my job and always try to plan lessons where I would like to participate in as a language learner myself. For me, a successful lesson is one where there is a lot of fun and everyone feels at ease. My motto in Chinese classes has always been “As simple as Chinese!”, because I believe that with the right tools and methods, even complex languages can be made simple and understandable.