“Inclusion” is a word that is used so often it has lost some meaning. A favourite of both politicians and social workers alike, it has become a 21st century watchword in communities and societies around the world. Is it just about sharing a language?
An interesting case study is the teaching of Russian as a first language in schools in Estonia and the effect it will have. I’ve heard arguments (all compelling) about human rights, tradition and the right of a parent over their child’s education. These are all perfectly valid and logical points of view, but I think the debate needs to be taken away from the micro level with an emphasis on the bigger picture – Estonia can only prosper with a new generation that is capable of effective integration and communication. Integration is especially important for a country that has only been independent for 20 years. Whilst it would not be understandable to force adults of Russian heritage to suddenly identify themselves as Estonian, it is not the sensible to make the same assumption of children. Of course, to answer my original question, inclusion does not just mean speaking this language or that language – but social cohesion does not generally occur as often between communities of a different tongue.
This is not to suggest a wave of Estonian nationalism, far from it. It is beneficial for everyone to be aware of the culture and extraction of their parentage, and learning Russian (or any other language) as a second language is a tremendous asset. However the first language of a child should be that of the country it is a citizen of – this is a basic tenet of the educational system in most developed nations and an essential part of modern statecraft and public administration. To ignore it would be to put the last 20 years of social progress in jeopardy.
All things Estonian 
Estonian sick nationalism!
Not so – specifically not nationalistic.
Simply Estonian in Estonian schools with Russian (or English or Finnish or German etc) as a second language. I’m interested as to why you you’d object to this.
AIO.
First of all, where did you get the idiea that Estonia has been independent for only 20 years? We have been independent for over 90 years with a 50 year period of Soviet Union occupation. Estonian language has been in use as a primary language for estonians ever since an way before that. The problem is that russian-speaking citizens refuse to use our official language for 20 years now, even in every day communication. And then again, why should they? They can manage perfectly well with russian language because they have a choise of a russain-based education and they have absolutely no motivation learning our official language. Note that we are not talking about primary or secondary foreign launguage. Tey are learning in russian. It’s like they live in isolation zone where they learn, speak and live in russian. Even media is presented to them in russian and sad to say but at times it differs from estonian media by content… in a bad way. Go try to shop or do anything at all in Estonian town called Narva using estonian language. They watch you like you are some kind of a odd person. You can concider youself a lucky person if you don’t get beaten up for just being an estonian or speaking in estonian. Something should be done allready about this problem over 20 years.
When you go to educate yourself to a foreign country that does not use your mother tongue, you literally have to adapt immediately. They haven’t managed with 20 years? what’s up with that?!
I was using 20 years as to an outsider (especially with the declaration of independence signed in 1991), it appears you’ve been independent for 20 years. But yes, I’m aware that the US Government recognised the Estonian government in exile and that the Soviet period is regarded by many as an occupation. I’ll be aware of this in future posts, thanks.
I tend to agree with your viewpoint, although I admit that it is very difficult for people who have spoken one language for the whole of their life to suddenly switch to another. I realise that they’ve had 20 years to do so, but it isn’t easy. I think the best option for the future would be to try and incentivise people – living in Narva there is really no reason to speak Estonian. To me it seems like a little island of Russia, almost like an exclave. Maybe the process could start with younger generations – I don’t think it’s fair to expect pensioners to have learned an entire new language (and alphabet) without considering the difficulties this will present them.