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Estonian Language Program Draws Record Volunteer Mentors
Estonia's Integration Foundation has registered an unprecedented 957 volunteer mentors for its Keelesõber (Language Buddy) program, pairing native speakers with learners to help them overcome conversational anxiety and practice the language.
- —The Integration Foundation's Language Buddy (Keelesõber) program has registered a record 957 volunteer mentors for its current season, marking the highest number of participants since the program's inception.
- —These mentors, who are native or highly proficient Estonian speakers, will support language learners as conversation partners, aiming to help them practice speaking and overcome the fear of using a non-native language.
- —The program, now in its seventh year, has previously united approximately 7,400 "language friends" over six seasons, with 943 mentors registered at the start of the last season.
- —Registration for language learners opened on February 9, 2026, with limited spots available, and partner matching is scheduled to begin on February 14.
- —Participants in the program are expected to communicate once a week or more for three months, until May 14, using various communication channels like Zoom, MS Teams, or phone.
Recap
The record number of volunteers for the Keelesõber program indicates a significant level of grassroots community support for Estonia's national integration objectives. This surge suggests the program's model is effective in mobilizing civil society to address language barriers, functioning as a practical tool for social cohesion that aligns with both national and EU-level policies.