A new book for learning Estonian I Found You at Last  

The Integration Foundation presented the basal reader I Found You at Last prepared in cooperation between the teachers of the Estonian Language House in Narva and language learners living in different parts of Estonia. From 2 May, the online version of the new book will be available free of charge.    

‘The new book tells funny and unusual stories about the language studies of language learners. The engaging stories are followed by exercises to help you better understand the cultural background of the story or some grammatical aspect of the Estonian language. For example, with the expression leibu ühte kappi panema, one can declare both where the bread was put and that the couple began to live together,‘ said the authors of the book, Marta Dolgošev and Pille Maffucci, teachers at the Estonian Language House of the Integration Foundation in Narva.  

The reader was created as part of the project Let us write a book TOGETHER! of the Estonian Language House of the Integration Foundation in Narva. In the project, 70 people shared their fun misadventures while learning Estonian. Marta Dolgošev and Pille Maffucci, teachers at the Estonian Language House, worked through the stories and arranged them for the fictional characters Adam and Eve in a total of 25 different scenes.   

‘The book is a support tool for advanced learners of Estonian and an enjoyable read for anyone interested in the peculiarities of the Estonian language. The texts are easier to read than fiction and intermediate and advanced learners of Estonian can use the book in addition to other study materials. Estonians, however, can learn from the stories how it is to study Estonian,’ explained Anna Farafonova, Head of the Estonian Language House of the Integration Foundation in Narva.  

From 2 May, the book will be available free of charge on the website of the Integration Foundation. Print copies will be distributed to major libraries and to the language learning partners of the Integration Foundation. The book will be printed in 800 copies.     

In addition to Estonian language teachers and learners, the editor Airi Broberg, methodological advisor Mare Kitsnik, artist Ragne Hoog, designer R-kontor, and printing house Tallinna Raamatutrükikoda contributed to the production of the book. On 29 April they came together at the Estonian Language House in Narva to present their joint work.   

 

Photos: the presentation of the book I Found You at Last, which took place on 29 April at the Estonian Language House in Narva with the participation of people who contributed to the production of the book. Author: Integration Foundation/ Anastassia Kivistik. Link to download photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZEYx1FJ3bcEyFhxV9.