Narva Vanalinna Põhikool

Narva Vanalinna State School is an educational institution set up to provide varied possibilities for development and secondary education using the state language as the language of instruction for kids from families with other mother tongues. We specialize in providing education for young residents of Narva and its vicinities (about 450 students) based on language immersion methodology. As a result students graduated from our school have good Estonian language skills, which allow them to manage successfully in a modern Estonian society, and keep their identity. The provision of basic and general secondary education at school is carried out on the basis of common national curricula. Additional study support is offered for students from grades 4-11 came from other schools with Russian language of instruction. Besides provision of general education we offer extra-curricular activities as well: hobby education, after-school club, different events, excursions, study visits and trips. Participation in national and regional projects is also an important part of school life. At school is formed student council and works school radio too. Educators and other school staff strictly observe the following pedagogical principles: • Teacher helps students to understand that studying is not difficult • It is a student who sets the pace in class • Friendly approach on teacher’s part as well as all the other school staff • Development of student’s creative skills and activities • Formation of positive attitude toward studying the Estonian language • When student makes a mistake, she/he is not corrected; instead the word with an error is pronounced correctly and student is encouraged to repeat it correctly • Students are given a lot of praise • Students are encouraged to use the language whenever possible • No pressure is applied on student We believe that a success of young people is based on 3 factors: youngsters’ will to study, support from teachers and parents’ interest in their children. That’s why we communicate with the parents very often and try to develop a good collaboration with them. We understand learning environment not only as a classroom and a school building, but as various opportunities realised in cooperation with social partners: outdoor education (in Narva and national parks all over Estonia), non-formal learning (for example, EduJams and trainings in VitaTiim), students' exchanges (participation in VeniVidiVici programme), museum learning, etc.