About
Merje Miliste is a Lecturer in German Language and Linguistics at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Institute of Foreign Languages and Cultures (1.00 FTE since 2019). Previously, she held roles including Programme Director for German Studies (2014), Academic Developer (2016–2019), and various lecturer positions since 2003. She earned a Doctor's Degree in 2011, focusing on interactions between Estonian learners' mother tongue and other languages when acquiring German as an additional foreign language.
Education: PhD (2011, University of Tartu) with a thesis on mother tongue interactions in multilingual learners; MA (2000, German Philology); BA (1996, German Language and Literature). Pedagogy training (1995–1996) and intercultural mentorship certification (2008–2009).
Research Interests: Applied linguistics, multilingualism, language acquisition processes, technology in language learning, foreign language pedagogy, and sociolinguistics. Her work emphasizes intersections between mother tongue influence, digital tools, and educational methodologies.
Publications Overview: Over 20 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters since 2001, focusing on topics like AI's role in language media, YouTube-driven language learning, MOOC engagement patterns, and multilingual curriculum design. Recent work explores digital dictionary usage and collaborative teaching strategies.
Awards: 2015 Tartu University Scholarship for Teaching and Learning Innovation. Recognized for administrative leadership in educational initiatives.
Grants & Roles: Managed German MA programs (2013–2015), chaired national German Olympiad committees (2001–2002), and contributed to language policy discussions in post-Soviet educational contexts. Active in teacher training and intercultural mentorship programs.
Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the Institute of Foreign Languages and Cultures on multilingual education projects and digital pedagogy initiatives.