Welcome to Narva – the most Russian-speaking city in the European Union!
The city of Narva is located on the border of Estonia and Russia, just 130 kilometres from St. Petersburg. Narva also takes pride in having the most Russian speakers of any city in the European Union with up to 97% of its citizens being native Russian speakers. This puts Narva, a city of about 60,000 residents, on the map for anybody interested in learning about Russian language and culture.
Since the summer of 2014, Narva College of the University of Tartu has hosted a growing number of student groups and individual learners from the United States, France, Sweden, the Netherlands, as well as from Estonia itself.
The intensive Russian language courses offered by Narva College are best defined by the following qualities:
- Tailored courses. Each group will receive a unique approach and a tailored course schedule in order to best accommodate the language level and main topics of each individual group. The courses are given by lecturers from the University of Tartu.
- Immersive language environment. The Russian-speaking environment outside the classroom strongly supports the overall progress of language acquisition. Additional daily contact with the locals can be integrated into the course programme in several ways, such as host family accommodation, tandem learning with Russian-speaking students at Narva College, and involvement in volunteer activities at various organisations in Narva.
- Expertise in Russian society. Throughout history, life in Narva has always been related with the life in Russia just across the border. Special lectures providing authentic insight into Russian society and culture, given by local historians, journalists, and experts from the Russian Studies Department of the University of Tartu, can be included in the course programme in order to complement language learning.
Example courses
Russian Conversational Language (level A2); duration 15 study days
Russian language level А2 5EAP
Practical Russian (level B2); duration 20 study days
Russian language level B2 6EAP
Individual course
Period: per request
Entry levels: B1, B2, C1
Duration: 10 study days, 4 hrs per day
Group size: 1-4 students
Course fee (including cultural programme): from EUR 2695 + VAT 20% (the fee does not include travel costs to Narva, accommodation and meals)
For more information about courses and opportunities: