TalTech Centre for Language and Communication

We recently travelled to Oulu, Finland, to participate in the Communication Skills Workshop 2026, hosted by the University of Oulu's Centre for Languages and Communication, Lingua.

The international event brought together language and communication professionals from around the world to discuss teaching, learning, and communication in higher education in the age of AI.

We returned home inspired by engaging discussions, fresh ideas, and valuable connections. It was wonderful to meet colleagues from different countries, reconnect with old friends, and explore Oulu together.

A big thank you to the organisers for such a memorable and enriching experience!

Confidence. Communication. Collaboration.

Our Public Speaking students wrapped up the term with their final group presentations this week. The presentations showcased not only strong speaking skills but also teamwork, creativity, and confidence in sharing ideas with an audience.

We are proud of all the hard work and progress our students have made throughout the term. Well done to everyone involved!

Our Intercultural Communication students have begun presenting their final research projects, a true highlight of the course. Throughout the semester, they explore topics that interest them while connecting theory with real-world experiences, combining research, critical thinking, and reflection.

This year’s topics include face and politeness in everyday interaction, discrimination in hiring, stereotypes and changing attitudes in new cultural contexts, what shapes intercultural communication, and a comparison of cultural dimensions in the Czech Republic and Estonia.

The presentations are engaging, insightful, and often spark meaningful discussion. We are proud to see our students developing stronger intercultural communication skills.

Yesterday, students explored intercultural communication through a public speaking challenge.

Each student prepared a short talk on a global topic and adapted it to a specific cultural audience, considering tone, structure, humour, and non-verbal communication.

From expressive storytelling for Brazil to structured, data-driven talks for Germany, students learned how deeply culture shapes communication.

The key takeaway is simple. Communication is not universal. It is contextual.

How do you adapt your communication across cultures?

What makes a visual aid truly effective in a presentation?

In our Public Speaking class this week, students explored this question through Sasha Luccioni’s TED talk “We’re Doing AI All Wrong”.

Rather than simply identifying “good” or “bad” slides, they took a deeper approach. Students analysed what visuals are trying to achieve, when they support understanding, and when they fall short, and how speakers can either add value to their slides or unintentionally repeat them.

They also considered an important question: what would happen if the talk had no visuals at all?

This activity helped highlight that effective public speaking is not about creating attractive slides, but about making clear and intentional communication choices. Visual aids can simplify complex ideas, but they can also confuse, distract, or even shape how an audience interprets a message.

By learning to analyse these decisions critically, students are developing the skills to design presentations with purpose and impact.

We are proud to see them engaging with communication at this level.

Our Public Speaking students recently delivered special occasion speeches honouring people who have shaped their values, thinking, and outlook.

Some spoke about well-known figures, while others shared deeply personal stories. From heartfelt toasts and creative award speeches to moving tributes and eulogies, each presentation was filled with sincerity, humour, and emotion.

What makes this assignment unique is that students define their own audience. This challenges them to think creatively, take ownership, and strengthen their storytelling skills.

We are proud of their progress and the confidence they have built along the way. 👏

Yesterday, our B2 Estonian group of TalTech international staff delivered presentations in class on their areas of expertise, hobbies, and home countries. For many, this was their first time presenting in Estonian.

What stood out most was their progress, dedication, and growing confidence. Reaching this level in a new language takes real commitment, and they did an excellent job.

Well done to everyone involved 👏 Jätkake samas vaimus!

❓ Kas sul on oma liftikõne olemas või peaksid selle alles läbi mõtlema?

Aines “Eesti keele suuline ja kirjalik väljendusõpetus” rääkisime liftikõnest ehk oskusest tutvustada ennast või oma ideed lühidalt, selgelt ja mõjusalt.

Tänapäeva kiires maailmas ei ole kellelgi aega pikki selgitusi kuulata. Just seetõttu on liftikõne eesmärk üks: äratada huvi, et sind tahetaks edasi kuulata.

💡 Hea liftikõne vastab küsimustele:
• Kes ma olen?
• Mida ma oskan ja pakun?
• Mis väärtust ma loon?
• Mida ma tahan, et kuulaja edasi teeks?

👉 Hea liftikõne
✔ on konkreetne ja arusaadav,
✔ keskendub väärtusele, mitte lihtsalt kogemusele,
✔ lõpeb selge kutsega tegutsema.

Public Speaking students in action! 🎤

Their persuasive speeches were recorded at TalTech’s Teaching and Learning Lab, giving them a valuable opportunity to reflect on their performance. Watching themselves helps them notice aspects like body language and delivery that are often difficult to recognize in the moment.