Content and Language Integrated Learning Pre-vocational Course for Non-Estonian-speaking Students with Support Needs at Astangu Vocational Rehabilitation Centre

Content and Language Integrated Learning Pre-vocational Course for Non-Estonian-speaking Students with Support Needs at Astangu Vocational Rehabilitation Centre

In the context of Estonia’s full transition to Estonian-language education it is essential to consider the future of students whose first language is not Estonian. Every year about 2000 non-Estonian-speaking students finish basic education and are faced with making choices for their future. About 10% of these students have special educational needs, and their choice would be vocational education, provided they had sufficient proficiency in the Estonian language.

In the study year 2022/2023 Astangu VRC developed and piloted a content and language integrated learning (CLIL) pre-vocational course “Edgar” for non-Estonian-speaking students with support needs. The aim of the course was to provide the students with essential Estonian language skills within the authentic Estonian-language learning environment and to support them in acquisition of social and everyday skills necessary for independent living.

As the core of the CLIL course, a language learning model was created which is adapted to students with support needs. The model is accompanied by a corresponding website (in Estonian) based on both research results and practical experience from the “Edgar” course. The model also includes a toolkit for teachers implementing CLIL, which is to be regularly updated with activities and methodological recommendations.

The course was piloted with seven students with very basic initial knowledge of Estonian. Language tests conducted twice a year showed that speaking and listening were the language skills developed most throughout the year. By the end of the school year, four students had achieved the level of Estonian required to continue studying in other courses at Astangu VRC.

The language learning model and valuable experience from the “Edgar” course have attracted the interest of other vocational centres in Estonia, for example the Kopli Vocational School of Tallinn, which also has a growing number of non-Estonian-speaking students with support needs. Astangu VRC aims to share the methodological knowledge developed and aid VET providers in Estonia in integrating non-Estonian-speaking students with support needs to Estonian-language vocational education.

The development and piloting of the CLIL pre-vocational course “Edgar” in 2022/2023 was supported by the European Social Fund. Currently the course continues with the support of the Ministry of Education and Research of Estonia.

For further information, contact: annemari.parmakson@astangu.ee