What is Erasmus+ Job Shadowing?
Get Inspired by Experiencing World-Class Education
Erasmus+ Job Shadowing is a professional development activity that allows educators to observe and learn from experienced teachers in their classrooms and schools. Participants gain insights into different teaching methodologies, classroom management strategies, and educational cultures. This immersive experience promotes cross-cultural understanding and collaboration, helping teachers enhance their professional skills and broaden their perspectives.
VisitEDUestonia offers this unique opportunity to learn from the renowned Estonian education system. You will observe daily school life and interact with local teachers.
You and your colleagues can job shadow in various types of schools, excluding universities. Options include:
- Kindergartens (ages 1-5)
- Pre-primary (age 6)
- Primary (ages 7-12)
- Lower secondary (ages 13-15)
- High schools (ages 16-18)
- Vocational schools (ages 16-18)
Click here for more information on each educational age group.
For job shadowing, we recommend groups of at least two people from the same school to enhance effective implementation upon return. You can choose to job shadow in various educational institutions, from kindergartens to vocational schools, with options to suit your preferences.
Job Shadowing in Estonia:
- 5 Job Shadowing days In a Estonian school
- Assistance for visitors when needed
| What is the difference? | Erasmus+ Job Shadowing | Teacher Job Shadowing | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assistance with logistics, transportation, and cultural programs | ||||||||
| For participants without an Erasmus+ grant | ||||||||
| Tailored for Erasmus+ funding with structured timelines to fit within Erasmus+ project requirements | ||||||||
| Basic fee includes-5 Job Shadowing days | ||||||||
| Briefing session and escorting to school on the first day | ||||||||
| A wrap up -meeting with our educational expert | ||||||||
| Basic fee includes 3 Job Shadowing days | ||||||||
What our clients say
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Erasmus Job Shadowing?
Erasmus Job Shadowing is a professional development activity where educators observe and learn from experienced teachers in another country’s educational environment. Participants gain insights into teaching methodologies, classroom management, and school cultures.
What is included in the VisitEDUestonia Erasmus+ Job Shadowing program?
The VisitEDUestonia program includes:
- Observing everyday life in Estonian schools.
- Seeing how local teachers apply Estonian educational practices.
- Recommendations for groups of at least two people from one school for shared reflection and effective implementation.
Who can participate in Erasmus Job Shadowing?
Educators and other school staff from various educational institutions, including kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools, and vocational schools, can participate. The program is designed for both individual participants and groups.
Erasmus+ Job Shadowing is aimed for school, institutions and education professionals who have the Erasmus+ Grant. If you wish to participate in Job Shadowing without the grant, please see our Teacher Job Shadowing-program.
How long does the job shadowing last?
The standard job shadowing program typically lasts for five days, but participants can extend their stay or visit multiple schools for an additional fee.
What is included in the program cost?
The program cost includes the arrangement of suitable teachers and schools for shadowing, assistance with logistics (e.g., timetables, finding transportation), access to online courses, and certificate of attendance if needed. Additional costs may apply for extended stays or extra services.
How do I register for the program?
Participants must complete an online registration form. Early registration is recommended (at least two months in advance) to ensure sufficient time for arrangements. Last-minute registrations incur an additional fee.
You can find the link to the registration on this page, just click the “Register”-button. If you have trouble registering, please contact info@visiteduestonia.com.
Can I choose which school level I shadow?
Yes, participants can specify their preferences for the type of school (kindergarten, primary, secondary, vocational). Efforts are made to match participants with schools that align with their backgrounds and interests.
Options include:
- Kindergartens (ages 1-5)
- Pre-primary (age 6)
- Primary (ages 7-12)
- Lower secondary (ages 13-15)
- High schools (ages 16-18)
- Vocational schools (ages 16-18)
Universities are unfortunately not available for Job Shadowing.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion?
Yes, participants will receive a certification that marks their job shadowing experience, which aligns with Erasmus+ objectives.
What are the benefits of participating in Erasmus Job Shadowing?
Participants benefit from observing different teaching practices, enhancing their professional skills, networking with international colleagues, and gaining a deeper understanding of diverse educational environments.
What should I do if I need to cancel my participation?
Cancellations must be made via email. If you are unable to attend, a substitute from the same organization can be arranged. In case of cancellation due to force majeure (e.g., COVID-19), the visit will be postponed until it is feasible.
For Erasmus+ Job Shadowing, you can choose the dates that are most convenient for you. However, considering the Estonian school year and holidays, the program is only available from September 1st to December 15th and January 15th to May 15th. In Estonia, the available dates are from September 15th to December 15th and January 15th to May 15th.
Please note the following periods in 2024 when job shadowing is not possible:
- Autumn holiday: October 21 – 25
Additionally, job shadowing in high schools is not available during these periods:
- Spring: January 29 – February 6; March 12 – April 5
- Autumn: September 9 – 30; November 18 – 27
Duration and Fee
The basic fee for Erasmus+ Job Shadowing is 350€ (excluding VAT) for a maximum of one week, Monday to Friday. Additional days are available for an extra fee.
Locations
Host schools are typically located in the beautiful Tallinn metropolitan area. Due to high demand, schools in these capital region are only available for groups of two or more participants. Starting from 2024, individual visitors will need to book their Erasmus+ Job Shadowing experience in smaller cities and towns.
On the registration form, please select whether you will do Erasmus+ Job Shadowing in the capital or other areas in Estonia. For any questions, contact our customer service at info@visiteduestonia.com.
Schedule
School days usually start at 8 or 9 am and end by 3 pm. The job shadowing timetable will depend on the teachers you and your colleagues are shadowing. Note that primary school days are often short, about 4-6 hours per day. If your plan requires more working hours, we offer online courses to complement the schedule.
Networking with Estonian Colleagues
Estonian teachers are eager to share their insights, but keep in mind they are often busy. The next lesson or its preparation can start immediately after the previous one. There will be moments during the week for Q&A and informal discussions. For guaranteed undivided time with an education expert, we recommend our hosted Teacher Job Shadowing program, which includes two meetings for in-depth discussions.
Group Size and Special Requests
You are welcome to participate alone or with colleagues. For groups larger than five, participants will be split into different schools. We strive to match you with a school that aligns with your background and preferences (age group, subjects, special education, language immersion, etc.), but it’s not always possible to fulfill all requests. Early registration increases the likelihood of finding the perfect school for you.
Register early to secure your spot and ensure a seamless and enriching professional development experience.
All registrations must be completed using the online registration form. We accept payments via credit card and bank transfer. Once payment is received, we will select and book the school(s) for your shadowing experience.
If you have any problems or questions about completing the online form, please contact us at info@visiteduestonia.com.
Pricing
All prices exclude Estonian VAT (22%). For VAT exemption, please register as a representative/employee of a company or organization and attach a tax certificate, trade register extract, or a similar document from your country. If your school has a European VAT number or Erasmus-related OID (Organization ID), simply take a picture or screenshot of the number and attach it.
- Standard price: 350€ per participant (minimum of two participants for job shadowing in the Helsinki metropolitan area)
- Visit a different school during your stay: 100€ per participant
- Additional days (after five shadowing days): 50€ per participant per day
To ensure ample time for arrangements, please register at least two months before your visit dates. For last-minute registrations (less than 60 days prior to arrival), an extra 100€ per participant will be charged.
For information on guided cultural programs, please contact info@visiteduestonia.com.
Prices Include:
- Free 30-day access to Finnish & Estonian Education Online Courses
- Matching you with suitable Finnish & Estonian teachers and schools
- Assistance with timetables, transportation, cultural programs, etc.
We also offer another job shadowing program with supplementary services, allowing individual participants to visit schools in the capital area. Read more about our Teacher Job Shadowing program.
Payment Options
Please select your payment method on the online registration form. Available options include:
- Online credit card payment: Visa, Mastercard, American Express
- Bank transfer: A PDF invoice with the necessary information will be sent to you with the confirmation email. Please note that the client is responsible for all bank transaction fees.
All payments must be made in advance and in euros (€).
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation by Participant:
All cancellations must be submitted via email to info@visiteduestonia.com. If you are unable to attend, you may substitute someone else from the same organization by notifying us. Payments made to date will be retained as a cancellation fee.
Cancellation by VisitEDUestonia:
In case the shadowing is cancelled due to COVID-19 or similar force majeure situations, we will postpone the visit until it is possible again. VisitEDUestonia is not responsible for any damages caused by the cancellation and strongly recommends purchasing flexible flight tickets and accommodation.
Invitation Letters for Visa Purposes
VisitEDUestonia will issue invitation letters only after full payment is received. If a participant is unable to obtain a visa and provides evidence of the rejected application, we will refund the paid amount, minus a 100€ administrative fee.
Register now to secure your spot and prepare for an enriching Erasmus+ Job Shadowing experience!
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Weather in Tallinn
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Wild Orchids
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About 1.1 million people speak Estonian, making it one of the world’s smallest official national languages. Despite its size, Estonian is used successfully in all areas of society. Estonians also commonly speak English, Russian, Finnish, and German.
Love for Culture
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