Estonian Vocational School Begins Language Push for 500 Students
An Estonian vocational center has launched a mandatory eight-week language immersion program for approximately 500 students who failed to meet the B1 proficiency standard, replacing elective modules with intensive classroom study and cultural excursions to ensure they meet graduation requirements.
- —The Ida-Viru County Vocational Education Center has initiated an intensive Estonian language program for approximately 500 first- and second-year students who did not achieve B1 proficiency in recent testing.
- —The program, which involves redistributing elective modules, will run for eight weeks and includes classroom instruction combined with cultural excursions outside the county.
- —Center director Hendrik Agur stated that no students have expressed a desire to discontinue their studies due to the new language requirement, with most understanding its future benefits.
- —Students who reach B1 proficiency after seven weeks will return to their regular studies, while others will continue the intensive course until they meet the standard.
Recap
The intensive language program at the Ida-Viru center is a practical application of Estonia's national education policy, addressing a critical skills gap in a region with a diverse population. The school's leadership has framed the initiative as a constructive and well-managed enhancement, emphasizing student acceptance and the long-term career benefits. This coordinated messaging presents the mandatory program not as a punitive measure, but as a necessary step for integration and employability, with its success likely to serve as a model for other institutions.