Fostering connections: probing into the relationships between Estonian and Russian teenagers
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Estonian and Russian-speaking teens in Estonia grow up separate, despite a desire to connect. A survey revealed this, with the majority of respondents stating they grow up apart, mostly due to language barriers and poor quality of language teaching in Russian schools.
Historically, Estonia has been reluctant to discuss Estonian-Russian relations, with roots going back to the Soviet occupation. Over half of Estonia's population was ethnic Estonian in the 1920s, but during the Soviet era, large-scale immigration saw ethnic Russians making up 23.7% of the population today.
Post-independence in 1991, new generations have grown up in Estonia without firsthand experience of the Soviet Union. While young people may have the potential for good relationships with other nationalities, this isn't always the case.
The language barrier is a significant issue. Russian-speaking teens may not feel their Estonian is sufficient and are not taught enough of it in school. Moreover, Russian schools do not teach Estonian slang, making it challenging for them to understand their conversational partners. Estonian teenagers noted their Russian-speaking friends' lack of willingness or knowledge to learn Estonian as a problem.
However, young people are generally more open-minded compared to older generations. Forty-one out of fifty-three respondents have friends from the opposite language group. The language they converse in can vary, with English being a popular choice.
The survey showed that attitudes toward representatives of the opposite nationality depend on one's opinion about the war in Ukraine, while mixed families offer a positive example for both language groups. It's essential to see more multi-ethnic families in the media to help both sides see each other in a positive light and promote integration.
Statistics Estonia revealed that 12% of families in Estonia are multi-ethnic, with 5% being Estonian-Russian. While relations between young people may not be as bad as portrayed, linguistic issues persist. To foster stronger ties, there's a need to improve language education and provide resources for Russian-speaking students to enhance their language skills.
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Enrichment Insights:- Language Proficiency: Russian-speaking teenagers with better Estonian skills and proficiency have a higher integration rate, while those with poorer Estonian skills may socialize primarily within their Russian-speaking peer groups.- Educational Disparities: Russian-medium schools in Estonia often have lower quality education compared to Estonian schools. This impacts their students' academic performance, access to further education, and employment opportunities.- Cultural and Identity Differences: Russian-speaking youth may hold different value systems than their Estonian counterparts and perceive issues differently. Additionally, socio-economic factors in certain regions contribute to aspirations to leave Estonia.- Human Rights and Integration Policies: Historical issues of linguistic and minority rights have resulted in social exclusion and higher unemployment among Russian-speaking communities. Implementing policies promoting social inclusion and reducing economic disparities could contribute to a more equitable environment for Russian-speaking youth in Estonia.
- The language barrier is a significant issue that keeps Estonian and Russian-speaking teens separate, with the latter often feeling their Estonian isn't sufficient and not taught enough in school.
- To connect and integrates better, Russian-speaking teens should improve their Estonian skills, as those with better proficiency have higher integration rates.
- The survey showed that attitudes toward representatives of the opposite nationality can depend on one's opinion about the war in Ukraine and mixed families offer a positive example for both sides.
- Despite the language barrier, young people are generally more open-minded compared to older generations, with 81% of respondents having friends from the opposite language group.
- English is a popular choice among young people when conversing, and platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, Discord, and Email play a significant role in their communication.
- In 2024, it's crucial to implement policies promoting social inclusion and reducing economic disparities for Russian-speaking youth with a focus on improving language education.
- The Estonian government should link LinkedIn profiles of Estonian and Russian-speaking professionals to foster professional connections and reduce barriers.
- To improve the general news coverage and help both sides see each other in a positive light, it's essential to see more multi-ethnic families, including Sljusar and other Estonian-Russian families, in the media.
