The Organization of Estonian Language Learning in Limited Language Environments: Challenges and Sustainable Solutions

This study focuses on analyzing the language-learning experiences, motivation, and potential barriers faced by less integrated residents living in environments where there are limited opportunities to use Estonian. The aim is to determine how to better meet their needs in providing language instruction. The “typical learners,” or learner archetypes and personas (i.e., learner profiles) developed through this study, will help the commissioning party—the Ministry of Culture and its subsidiary agencies (including INSA and its Estonian Language Houses)—as well as other government agencies to:

1. Identify the language-learning needs of target groups in limited-language environments and understand what hinders them from learning and actively using Estonian.
2. Adapt language-learning services to suit these target groups (and, if necessary, reprioritize these groups based on the findings), particularly to strengthen active Estonian language proficiency.
3. Set longer-term goals for providing instruction, including increasing the share of active language users in society.