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Database of Teaching Sources

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A database of selected, reviewed, tested, assessed and validated e-learning based language teaching sources addressed to Higher education students for the learning of 18 different European languages.

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Learn Estonian with Tahela

Date of Publication

Since 2020, ongoing

Target Group

Students

Domain Area

Business & Communication
Journalism & multimedia
Teacher Education

Learning Scenario

Autonomous learning

Target Language

Estonian

Language of Instruction

English

CEFR level

A1
A2
B1

Type of Material

Video

Linguistic Features

Vocabulary
Grammar
Prosody

Skills

Listening
Speaking

Description

This is a video resource posted on YouTube. The channel Learn Estonian with Tahela was started in 2020 and has produced 19 videos by October 31, 2021. Each video deals with a certain aspect of the Estonian language, e.g., colours, the genitive case, basic expressions, names of countries, etc. In each video, the creator of the channel gives some brief explanatory information on the topic of the video, and then provides examples and demonstrates the relevant use. The instructor is placed against an interactive background, which makes it easy to both listen to native Estonian and read what is being said. This video resource may be further extended by incorporating the accompanying website, www.tahela.com, which contains links to videos, flashcards and interactive games. All in all, the resource may be of interest to those willing to learn a language in a coursebook-free environment.

Case study

While the general channel's page shows the order in which the videos appeared and may invite starting from the chronologically first video, the learner may choose to start with any video the topic of which is of interest to him or her. The videos are brief and easy to follow. Upon acquiring the material of all the videos, the learner should be able to maintain basic conversation in Estonian, such as introducing themselves and greeting others, learn the names of colours and countries, and also develop some understanding of basic grammar.

Guidelines

Follow the link provided to get to the main page of the channel. Then select the video of interest and proceed with it.

Review

Category
Rate
Comprehensive approach
Capacity to match the needs of lecturers and students

3

Added value
The provided tangible improvements

5

Motivation enhancement
The capacity to motivate students to improve their language skills

5

Innovation
Effectiveness in introducing innovative, creative and previously unknown approaches to LSP learning

4

Transferability
Measurement of the transferable potential and possibility to be a source of further capitalisation/application for other language projects in different countries

5

Skills assessment and validation
Availability of appropriate tools for lecturers to monitor students’ progress and for students to assess own progress and to reflect on learning

3

Adaptability
Flexibility of the contents and possibilities for the LSP lecturers to adapt the contents to their and to students’ need

3

Usability
Assess the technical usability from the point of view of the lecturer and the student

4

Accessibility
Assess the accessibility from the point of view of the lecturer and the student

4

Comments:
The instructor of the videos is an Estonian language teacher herself. Therefore, the explanations provided are given in light of the learning needs of the students as based on the experience of the instructor. After a brief introduction in English, the instructor teachers target expressions by first presenting the expression, then explaining words that compose it, and then repeating the expressions again. The instructor is a native Estonian speaker herself, so the learner is exposed both to phrases frequently used in natural contexts as well as authentic pronunciation. The interactive backgrounds facilitate acquisition of new material.
Website of the Teaching Source:
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