TOOL 7: A NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN FOR IMMERSION

TOOL 7:
A NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN FOR IMMERSION (ESTONIA)
This strategic plan was developed by a broad range of stakeholders in Estonia not
just to plan for the expansion of the immersion programme but to help increase
stakeholder engagement in programme development. The plan fits on one sheet
of A4 paper (folded in 3 as a flyer) to help ensure ease of processing (cognitive
fluency) by its readers and the primacy of key goals and strategies.
Immersion helps ensure the
acquisition of languages
and a wide knowledge
base. It also fosters openmindedness. Initial program
achievements are most
promising. Congratulations
to participating schools and
to the Centre!
– Toivo Maimets
Minister of Education
and Research
Language Immersion Centre
2004–2008
–
E S TO N I A N
LANGUAGE
IMMERSION
CENTRE’S
M A N D AT E
IMMERSION
A K E Y TO
M U LT I L I N G U A L I S M
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
program leadership and
development
training and advising of
teachers, teacher trainers,
kindergarten and school
managers and education
officials
development and
publication of training
materials
development and
publication of teaching
materials
VISION
Immersion graduates are
able to integrate successfully
within Estonian society while
maintaining their cultural
identity
Estonian Language
Immersion Centre
Kihnu 1
13913 Tallinn
T +372 605 7250
F +372 605 7251
E keskus@kke.ee
www.kke.ee
co-ordination of research
exchange of experience
with local and foreign
partners
public relations
05/2004
MISSION
The Immersion Centre
leads the development
of immersion programs,
and supports their
implementation and
expansion based on
Estonia’s education, language
and integration policy
2004–2008
g o a l s
Lan guage imme rs ion is an inte gral part of the education system
A funding model is in
place for the effective
and stable support of
the Centre in immersion
program development
and, kindergartens
and schools in offering
immersion programs.
Stakeholders support
the immersion program
and contribute resources
to its management,
development and
implementation.
Support systems
ensuring smooth program
operations are in place.
The Centre has a services and management
plan for post-expansion
(after 2008).
Program management
and development is
based on monitoring and
evaluation.
The Centre is a
an internationally
recognised partner in
the field of language
immersion.
1. t 2.
r a 3.
t e 4.
g i 5.
e s 6.
s
1. Analyse the per student
costs of late and early
immersion programs:
advise the Ministry of
Education and Research
and local governments
on the development of a
funding formula for the
immersion program.
2. Determine cost-recovery
prices for Centre products
and services
(e.g., development of
teaching materials,
in-service training of
teachers).
1. Develop a communications
strategy to be delivered
in partnership with
stakeholders.
2. Develop strategies for
increasing support for
immersion among Russian
and Estonian-speakers.
3. Develop mechanisms
for actively involving
stakeholders in program
planning and evaluation.
4. Work with kindergartens
and schools experienced
in immersion in order to
build a network to support
program implementation,
development and
expansion.
1. Develop strategies
to support immersion
kindergartens and schools
in managing change
related to immersion
program implementation.
1. Design a sustainable
framework for the Centre
as an ongoing public
service agency supporting
language immersion
development.
2. Create a system for the
development and dissemination of immersionspecific curriculum and
study materials.
2. Design a strategy to
manage the transition
from foreign funding.
3. Develop strategies with
stakeholders to build
the capacity of higher
education and other
institutions to share the
Centre’s responsibilities
in training teachers in
immersion methodology.
4. Develop strategies with
stakeholders to recruit and
retain an adequate supply
of immersion teachers.
1. Create a monitoring
system for the immersion
program.
2. Develop a plan for
commissioned research.
1. Negotiate multilateral
agreements for the
implementation of
immersion in other
countries.
2. Manage and transfer
knowledge internationally.