Lesson about Estonia
geography, culture, school
system
(Tartu Annelinna Gymnasium)
Here we are
About Estonia
z Find right neighbours!
Finland, Sweden, Great Britain, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Belarus,
Germany.
z Which version is right?
Area – 35 thousand square km; 45; 55
Capital city – Tartu, Riga, Vilnius, Tallinn,
Population – 1,4 million; 2,4 million; 6 million
Percentage of Estonians in population – 48%; 68%; 88%
Three biggest minority groups: Finns, Latvians, Russians, Swedes,
Ukrainians, Jews, Belarusians, Gypsies.
Re-independence – 1986, 1991, 1996
z What else do you know about Estonia?
General features of Estonian nature
z
z
Estonia is a big/small country. It lies to the north/south of Finland .
The average temperature in July is +25 degrees/ -5 degrees/ +17 degrees.
z Estonia is washed by The Baltic Sea/The Mediterranean Sea/ The Red sea.
Estonia has 10/ 83/ 1500 islands. The largest of these are Saaremaa,
Hiiumaa, Muhu and Vormsi.
z
There are lots of huge montains in our country/ There are no high mountains
in Estonia. Suur Munamägi (Great Egg Hill) is 7.855m/4.000m/318m. There
are lots of natural lakes (1200)/ few lakes(16) in Estonia.
z
Forests cover one half/one tens of Estonia. The most common types of trees
are pine, spruce and birch.
z There are some 11 700 elk, 50 000 roe deer, 17.000 wild boar, 17 000
beavers, 800 lynxes, 600 bears and 100 volves.
Absolutely adorable!
TALLINN
Tallinn is our medieval capital with a population of 40
000.
z
z
Tallinn’s Old Town is in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
It is ranked as a global city and has been listed among the top 10 digital
cities in the world
Tartu – city of good thoughts,
with 100 000 people, is our university town
Historical names are Tarbatu, Yuryev and Dorpat.
It’s home of the oldest university
Kissing students
Tartu Hall square
Regions
z
Besides large areas there are a number of small regions with a very specific
character of their own. The most distinctive region is
which is located in southeastern Estonia.
Setumaa
Regions
z Another peculiar area was Mulgimaa, the central part of the
former Sakala county. In this region many things, such as patterns
dating back to the Middle Ages, sacrificial gardens, were preserved
for a long time. Some of the ancient dishes originating from this
region (e.g. Mulgi cabbage, curd cakes, and kama – roast mixed
grains) have become popular all over Estonia.
z Although the term “mulk” probably came from the Latvian word for
“fool,” historically the people of Mulgimaa were wealthy, well
educated and more likely to hold influential positions.
Mulgimaa costume
Belts and mittens
Mensenkamff chapel
Fascinating facts
z Estonian culture as an identity is very strong. Oral traditions have played a
key role in preserving traditions,stories and customs. Singing is a very
Estonian activity.
z Some people think that the Estonian language is a nightmare to learn-)
z Estonia has a population of just 1.3 million but is larger then Denmark or
Holland.
z In winter it gets very cold and we have plenty of beautiful snow. No, there
are no polar bears in Estonia!
z Estonians on the whole are quiet and reserved. They tend to speak slowly
and do not like to draw attention to themselves. Being rational,calm and
not going to emotional extremes are all qualities that respected.
z Estonians are quite formal and may not come across as quote cold or even
friendly to people from more informal cultures. This should not be
interpreted so.
z
z
Once the relationship warms up the communication style becomes a lot
less stiff.
Estonians mean what they say and do what they say they will do.
z Estonians are not emotive speakers. If you are from a culture where
hand gestures are robust, you may wish to moderate them to conform to
local practices.
z
z
Passive silence is very much part of the communication style.
They are slow to pay compliments and may become suspicious of
compliments offered too readily and without sufficient reason.
And finally, Estonians are mostly blond with light grey
eyes.
Estonian general education system
z Preschool - … 7 years
z Primary school (compulsory) – 7 – 16
years (9 grades)
z Gymnasium – 16 – 19 years (3 grades)
Schools by language of instruction
2012 / 2013
2,27%
14,73%
Estonian schools
Russian schools
Mixed schools
83,00%
Early total immersion program
100%
50%
0%
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
Lessons in Russian
0%
10%
16%
24%
39%
44%
Foreign language
0%
0%
12%
12%
12%
12%
100%
90%
72%
64%
49%
44%
Lessons in Estonian
Early partial immersion program
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
Lessons in Russian
10
12
11
11
13
14
13
15
16
Foreign language
0
0
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
Lessons in Estonian 10
11
11
12
12
13
14
14
15
Composition of curriculums by
languages (Grades 1-3)
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Lessons in
Russian
Foreign language
Lessons in
Estonian
Ordinary program
91%
0%
9%
Partial immersion
48%
4%
48%
9%
4%
87%
Total immersion
05.05.2013
z Nationwide day of garbage collection in 2008
Brainstorming 2009
Day of useful things «Teeme ära» ( «Let’s do it») in
2013
z Useful work done
1241
z 36,270 people participated
Thank you!