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Database of Teaching Sources

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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Estonian for Beginners in 100 lessons

Date of Publication

2020

Target Group

Students

Domain Area

Business & Communication
Tourism

Learning Scenario

Autonomous learning

Target Language

Estonian

Language of Instruction

English

CEFR level

A1
A2

Type of Material

Audio
Video

Linguistic Features

Vocabulary
Prosody

Skills

Listening
Speaking
Reading

Description

This audio course in basic Estonian is placed on YouTube and is part of the 50 Languages course series. The recording offers over five ours of phrases used in everyday Estonian, which are pronounced by a male and a female native Estonian speakers. Each phrase is translated into English. The resource required no prior knowledge of Estonian and begins with first introducing basic Estonian words. Further in the video, phrases of growing complexity are introduced on a broad variety of topics, providing the learner with basic Estonian needed for everyday communication. The recording is accompanied by the text version appearing on the screen, hence the learner will also be able to learn how to read Estonian words and phrases. As the description of the resource suggests, it is primarily intended for users with levels A1 and A2.

Case study

The resource is convenient in that it allows two ways of learning: either by only listening to the recording and repeating the phrases, or both listening and reading the phrases appear on the screen. The resource is primarily suited for those willing to learn the language autonomously. It does not offer much means of assessment other than pausing the video and repeating the target expression, mastering the pronunciation and checking the understanding of the phrase before it is translated into English.
If used in the classroom setting, the lecturer may choose to divide the resource into sections at their own discretion and then assign these sections (either in succession or by topic - which in each case implies additional preparatory work for the instructor) to the students for homework.

Guidelines

Follow the link and proceed with the recording. All that is needed is an Internet connection. The resource may be used both in the audio-only and audio-video mode. In the latter case, the learner will be able to see the relevant words and phrases appear on the screen.

Review

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

4

Added value
The provided tangible improvements

4

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

3

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

3

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

2

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

4

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

5

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

4

Comments:
The resource contains over 5 hours of authentic Estonian pronunciation and frequently used phrases, and hence is very useful as an introduction into real-life situations. Alongside listening and repeating, the learner will also be introduced to basic Estonian grammar, and thus will be learning grammar in context. All that is needed to use the resource is an Internet connection. However, the recording is not divided into chapters and hence the learner will only be able to rely on the minutes listened to for reference. It is also not clear what topics exactly are covered in the recording, and there is no content summary provided.
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