Meet the team
The teachers of the Estonian summer courses are definitely one of a kind. Whether they are already experienced professionals or have freshly acquired their teacher's degree, they're all dedicated to the programme and they each give the courses their own special touch, so every year and group is unique. Here's a chance to learn a little bit about the team of 2024.
Linda Palts
Tere! I have been teaching Estonian as a foreign language since 2008. I myself have also been a foreigner: I spent a year in Great Britain and four years in the Czech Republic. Therefore I know what it means to be a foreigner in another country and what it takes to live in a foreign language environment. I keep that experience in mind when I teach Estonian.
I am happy to be a member of the team of Estonian summer courses. It is an amazing opportunity to meet all these people from different parts of the world who want to learn Estonian and get to know about Estonian culture. I am always looking forward to summer courses as the atmosphere there is so positive, motivating, and friendly. At the end of the course, we all feel like one big family!
What is the first thing that pops into your head when thinking of Estonia?
My family and friends, warm summer evenings, beautiful nature. Silence.
I am happy to be a member of the team of Estonian summer courses. It is an amazing opportunity to meet all these people from different parts of the world who want to learn Estonian and get to know about Estonian culture. I am always looking forward to summer courses as the atmosphere there is so positive, motivating, and friendly. At the end of the course, we all feel like one big family!
What is the first thing that pops into your head when thinking of Estonia?
My family and friends, warm summer evenings, beautiful nature. Silence.
Piret Toomet
I have been teaching the Estonian summer course programme since 2007. Amazing students, best colleagues, and the special combination of being motivated and focused yet relaxed and full of joy makes the summer courses enjoyable and great to teach.
What is the first thing that pops into your head when thinking of Estonia?
Sunny summer evening in an old Estonian farmstead. Sitting in the garden among the trees, flowers, vegetables and mosquitos, admiring the golden light and all shades of green.
What is the first thing that pops into your head when thinking of Estonia?
Sunny summer evening in an old Estonian farmstead. Sitting in the garden among the trees, flowers, vegetables and mosquitos, admiring the golden light and all shades of green.
Gerli Lokk
I have taught Estonian for 15 years. I started as a high school and basic school teacher in 2009. Back then, I taught Estonian as a mother tongue. Since 2015, I have worked at the University of Tartu and taught Estonian to foreign students. My first experience as a teacher in the Estonian summer course programme was in 2016. I really have enjoyed the positive atmosphere and synergy that characterizes every summer course! Although the programme itself is very intense (for the students as well as for the teachers), I always feel very motivated, energetic, and happy. It is because of my students who put a lot of effort into learning Estonian and improving their skills. I am thankful for the possibility to support them in their journey.
What is the first thing that pops into your head when thinking of Estonia?
Homemade black bread.
What is the first thing that pops into your head when thinking of Estonia?
Homemade black bread.
Monika Urb
I have been teaching Estonian since 2007. For a long time, I taught Estonian as a mother tongue and now for some years also as a foreign language. I joined the summer course team in 2022. I enjoy teaching the summer course because it is not a classical language course. The course is intensive, but the pleasant atmosphere and motivated learners always make it pleasant and fun.
What is the first thing that pops into your head when thinking of Estonia?
Hiking in the bog.
What is the first thing that pops into your head when thinking of Estonia?
Hiking in the bog.
Sille Midt
I started my teaching journey by helping to organise Estonian language cafes in Tartu and as a teacher, I’ve worked for two years. I’m looking forward to seeing how the students progress learning Estonian during the intensive summer course and to spending time teaching Estonian to students who are eager to learn more about the Estonian language and culture.
What is the first thing that pops into your head when thinking of Estonia?
Thinking about Estonia, the first things that come to my mind are the lakes and bogs as I love spending my free time exploring new places outdoors.
What is the first thing that pops into your head when thinking of Estonia?
Thinking about Estonia, the first things that come to my mind are the lakes and bogs as I love spending my free time exploring new places outdoors.
Sälly Salusoo
I was part of the summer course team for the first time in 2015 and fell in love with it immediately. It is very different from a regular language course due to its intensity and structure. It is great to meet fellow language enthusiasts and have so many different people in one classroom. I feel that I am always learning something new alongside my students, and this makes me motivated and excited to be a part of the summer university experience.
What is the first thing that pops into your head when thinking of Estonia?
For me, the two most Estonian feelings are the joy of greeting spring after a long and dark winter and the sensation of feeling child-like happiness for the long days (and short nights) of the summer.
What is the first thing that pops into your head when thinking of Estonia?
For me, the two most Estonian feelings are the joy of greeting spring after a long and dark winter and the sensation of feeling child-like happiness for the long days (and short nights) of the summer.
