The English-Speaking Union of Estonia

National Public Speaking Competition 2012

2012-03-04T11:59:00.023-08:00

photos by
Paloma Fagil Fernández

Farewell party for HM Ambassador Peter Carter, January 23

2012-01-24T01:45:00.000-08:00

written by Kathrin Frei

Yesterday we were invited to visit Poska House to say “Goodbye” to our esteemed friend HM British Ambassador Mr. Peter Carter, who unfortunately had to leave Estonia. He had participated in many events with our members and we all had learned a lot from him. We will miss him because he has a cheerful personality, but we hope he will come back to see us again in the future.
The event started off with an interesting speech about The Night Of Robert Burns, which is celebrated on the 25th of January. Philip Marsdale told us about some Scottish traditions such as dancing the night away and eating the haggis of course!
Later, Peter was asked some questions by his guests. While answering them, he said many great things about Estonia and he could not think of any negative points. Peter also mentioned that Estonia is an unique country in his opinion. After all the questions had been asked and all the answers had been given, I read a song by Robert Burns called “A Man’s A Man For A’That.” I was quite nervous while reading it out loud in front of everyone. Then we went to the main table, which was really nicely decorated and where all sorts of food had been served. All of the guests walked around and talked to each other. It was really interesting to meet new people and get to know them.
All in all, I think Peter will remember this evening and so will we. All of us will miss you, Peter!

Norwegian Evening

2011-12-09T05:49:00.000-08:00

On December 8 the ESU Estonia members met Per-Otto Breivik, a Norwegian businessman, the managing director and CEO of the Permarine AS. We had a lovely talk on different topics in a friendly atmosphere in front of the fireplace. We enjoyed our conversation a lot, as well as a glass of wine, some fruit and gingerbread biscuits. The ESU Estonia would like to thank Mr.Breivik for hosting a pre-Christmas event and meeting.

KGB Museum

2011-12-07T11:36:00.000-08:00

On November 30 the ESU Estonia members visited the Sokos Viru Hotel and the KGB Museum. We met at the Bogart Bar for a glass of wine, some snacks and a talk. The manager, Mr. Jarvi told us a little bit about the history of the hotel, which is still the biggest hotel in Estonia, and showed us two renovated hotel rooms with a fantastic view on the Old Town.The excursion to the Museum started on the ground floor, where we were given tickets with two vouchers on some drinks in any hotel bar and cafe. The guide told young people and reminded the older ones what life was like in Estonia more than thirty years ago. We saw quite many artifacts of those days in the Museum. We enjoyed not only a lively excursion but a wonderful view from the 23rd floor on our beautiful city.

The Speaker of the Estonian Parliament Mrs Ene Ergma met the ESU of Estonia members at the Parliament

2011-12-06T04:19:00.000-08:00

November 22

written by Paloma Fagil Fernández

On November 21, the members of the ESU of Estonia had the honour to attend an event at the Estonian Parliament. In the beginning, a tour guide showed us a model of the building and took us to some different rooms like the one where the members of the Parliament meet. In the meantime, the guide provided us some complete information as to the building and its history. To conclude, the guests met the speaker Ene Ergma, who basically told all of us about several Estonian monetary, educational and political maters. The people there could also ask her many questions. The visit was very interesting so we hope we will have another chance to make a similar one in the future.

Seminar: The National Public Speaking Competition 2012

2011-11-11T09:45:00.000-08:00

On Friday, November 11, the first seminar for the teachers in this season was held at Sakala Eragymnasium. It was a successful event in a beautiful building. We thank the school and Headmistress Jekaterina Gridneva for hosting the seminar. About 60 people came from Tartu, Tallinn, Kohtla-Järve, Viimsi and Tallinn. Most of them were teachers and some of them brought their students to listen to Mr. Carter, who has been supporting the Competition since we started it in 2009. He helped all our winners with his professional advice to prepare their speeches for the International Public Speaking Competition and delivered some seminars for the teachers in the past two years. This Friday, HM Ambassador Peter Carter gave a fantastic 2-hours talk to the audience with examples of good and bad speeches, tests, discussions and answered lots of questions. He explained how to prepare an impromptu speech as well and how to deal with questions that follow the speech. We watched a few videos of the International finalists’ speeches to see how they delivered them and what was good about their speeches.
We are very greatful to Mr. Carter for his kind support of the Competition and the ESU Estonia as well.
Zinaida Jevgrafova
ESU Estonia, Chairman
Copmpetition Convenor

2011-03-03T12:44:00.000-08:00

The ESU of Estonia
National Public Speaking Competition 2011
3rd March
"Words Are Not Enough"

Many thanks for the pictures to Angelina Timoshina and Ilya Gabovich!!!

Christmas Event

2010-12-21T12:12:00.000-08:00

A seasonal selebration of Christmas fare and festive music performed by the Cambridge University Music Society Chorus.
British Ambassador's Residence
11th, December

photos by Valeria Norina

European Capital of Culture Tallinn 2011 Info Centre

2010-11-26T13:31:00.000-08:00

2010-05-26T01:37:00.000-07:00

"Reflections on Modern Britain"
Poska House
25th, May

2010-04-29T01:12:00.000-07:00

The Jewish Synagogue, Museum and School
27th April

Nationa Public Speaking Competition 2010

2010-03-08T01:05:00.000-08:00

"Speculation on Our Future"

Children love to read

2009-05-18T01:20:00.000-07:00

Children love to read.
And also in another languages.
But in Lasnamae area there is not so much opportunity. It doesn’t exist a big library where the kids can choose the book that they like and read it there or take it home.
The ESU of Estonia has decided to support the initiative of Jevgenia Djatchuk, one of our members, to create the first English library for kids in Lasnamae.
The first contribution arrived a few weeks ago by post from United States.
Mrs. Deborah Stevenson, member of the English Speaking Union of Charlotte- North Carolina and former director of English Speaking Union of Washington, sent three big packages full of books and happiness!
There were books for all the levels, to help to improve their English skills and about all kind of topics.
She thought about all the possible readers and she also sent some flashcards and books adapted to the youngest learners.
The kids were very excited and they started to read immediately!
They wanted to thank Mrs. Stevenson, so they created a very nice postcard full of paper books with their names on it and their gratitude.
We hope that these packages are just the beginning of this English library and we are open and would really appreciate any kind of contribution.
Bellow you can see some pictures where the children open the packages and found all the books!
Written by Irene Nunez.
Pictures from the I Youth Club blog.

New pictures from the Public Speaking Competition

2009-03-26T06:11:00.000-07:00

Here we have some new pictures from the Public Speaking Competition of Estonia, 2009.
Thanks to our great photographer Okeiko.
Hope you enjoy them!

The ESU of Estonia Public Speaking Competition 2009

2009-03-17T14:11:00.000-07:00

The first ESU Schools public speaking competition was held on 12th March. 13 competitors took part from 6 schools. Toomas Vitsut, Chairman of the ESU of Estonia welcomed all-competitors, judges, teachers, members of the ESU and others.

Riina Altpere took the chair and explained the background to the competition. She then introduced the Judges-HE Peter Carter, British Ambassador acting as Chairman of the Jury, Michael Wynne-Parker Member of the ESU of Estonia Committee, Former Governor of the ESU of the Commonwealth, Suliko Liiv Professor, Tallinn University, Institute of Germanic- Romance Languages and Cultures, Director, Tuuli Oder Tallinn University, Language SchoolDirector, Gustaf Hertsius Member of the ESU of Estonia Committee

Riina Altpere introduced the Convenor Zinaida Jevgrafova Member of the ESU of Estonia Committee and Timekeeper finally calling all contestants to come forward to select a number 1-13 in a ballot to decide the order of speaking.

13 competitors took part from 6 schools: Karl-Jakob Jürna, Tõnis Veispak and Paap Urbanus from Tallinn English College, Mari Pever and Trinu Lepp from Tallinn French School, Kristen Gilden and Ott Ilves from Gustav Adolf Grammar School, Ingrid Teesalu and Klarika Feldberg from Tallinn Kuristiku Gymnasium, Peeter-Paul Hallaste and Ken Kõrve from Viimsi Secondary School, Ekke Piirisild and Hendrik Kaju from Tallinn Secondary Science School.

Following the 5 minute speeches 2 minutes was allowed for a variety of interesting questions. Although many of the competitors chose the topic of the threatened environment, many were very creative and argued for topics ranging from "man should move to mars", "The human race has to stop breeding to come in balance with the available resources" to "We have to save the smaller and endangered languages".

The jury was looking for an outstanding candidate to represent Estonia in a completion against youth from over 60 countries ( is this the correct number). The main points in the assessment of each candidate was:
· Subject, reasoning and evidence
· Expression and delivery
· Establishing credibility
· Responding to questions

After the final speech the jury retired. Following their return and after a great deal of suspense Mr Carter announced the overall winner was Ingrid Teesalu from Kuristiku Gümnaasium closely followed by Triinu Lepp ja Mari Pever from Tallinn French School .
Mr Peter Carter the chairman of the jury motivated their choice by saying that Ingrid Teesalu was not only able to communicate her message clearly but held the audience in the grasp of her hand from the beginning until the end of her speech.

This luck winner will now go to London in May to participate in the International Finals a daunting task. She will need a great deal of luck but with all our support and encouragement she will represent Estonia with distinction!

photos by Okeiko

The Frist ESU of Estonia Schools Speaking Competition

2009-02-12T04:16:00.000-08:00

In preparation for the first English Speaking Union of Estonia Schools Speaking Competition a meeting of English teachers from participating schools was held on 22nd January in Tallinn.

The meeting was addressed by Michael Wynne-Parker, a former Governor of the ESU of the Commonwealth who has had a long experience of the Schools Speaking Competition both in the UK where he has been Chairman of a local branch, Regional Chairman and Deputy National Chairman and Sri Lanka where he co-founded the ESU and held office as Chairman during which period over 5000 young Sri Lankans aquired a communicative skill in English and finally participated in and won the International Final of the Schools Competition in London against 43 other National teams.

Mr Wynne-Parker spends part of each year in Estonia which he uses as his writing base.
He is the author of four books and at present working on his fifth-a biography.
At the teachers meeting Mr Wynne-Parker outlined both something of the 80 year old history of the ESU and also the background to the Competition.
He described the Theme, aims and rules of this years Competion and provided constructive ideas relating to speech content and delivery.
Following his presentation many questions were asked and arrangements for the Tallinn heat to be held on March 12th were discussed.

Contact person: Zinaida Jevgrafova
E mail: zinaiday@hot.ee

British Ambassador Honoured by ESU

2008-11-07T02:17:00.000-08:00

Monday 3rd November 2008
Poska House
by Michael Wynne-Parker

At the latest meeting of the English Speaking Union of Estonia, held in the newly refurbished Poska House, HE Mr Peter Carter was appointed as its first Patron. Toomas Vitsut, Chairman of ESU Estonia presented the Ambassador with his Certificate of Office and referred to the visit of Queen Elizabeth II who challenged Estonia to become the 49 th country to join the International organization of which Her Majesty is International Patron. The Ambassador addressed the meeting saying how delighted he was to receive this honour from such a prestigious organization and pledging his enthusiastic support in the future.
Following the Presentation the meeting heard from four members who had recently attended events in the UK sponsored by the ESU. First to adddress the audience was Riina Altpere, a member of the ESU Committee, on her attendance at the ESU International Conference held on Edinburgh where, in the presence of over 250 delegates, including HRH Prince Philip she spoke of the experiences of ESU Estonia in it first year . Next came Jevgenia Djatchuk, another Committee member who had spent a week at Oxford University participating in an ESU International Relations Conference . Then followed a presentation by Kristjan and Henrik Salum who had participated in the ESU Annual Shakespeare Seminar in both Stratford-on-Avon and London.-Their audio-visual approach to the subject truly captured the imagination of the audience many of whom had not visited the places associated with Shakespeares, birth, life and death.

Toomas Vitsut concluded the meeting by thanking all four speakers for showing so clearly some of the ESU membership advantages including travel and participation in not only UK but International cultural events. Following the meeting members and their guests enjoyed a cup of tea allowing time for english conversation!

photos by Okeiko