Bolt and the language learning platform Lingvist are about to launch a mandatory program for learning the Estonian language to improve the language skills of Bolt drivers in Estonia.
The new program includes a language test and a course, the aim of which is to provide drivers with the necessary Estonian vocabulary and basic language skills that are needed when providing the ride-hailing service.
The program consists of two parts. First, all Bolt drivers must pass a short Estonian language test. Those who pass the test successfully do not have to do anything more. Those who do not pass the test will be directed to the second stage — a special ride-hailing service vocabulary course, which must be completed within three months. Those who fail to do it will not be able to continue using the Bolt platform to provide the ride-hailing service.
“We know that the most important factors when it comes to the ride-hailing service are the price and availability of the service, as these are the criteria by which customers vote with their wallets. However, we understand that there is also an expectation in society for drivers to speak better Estonian than they do today. A poll taken among the drivers revealed that 70 percent of them would be willing to learn Estonian if Bolt offered an online course with specific vocabulary for the ride-hailing service,” said Oscar Room, the head of the ride-hailing service at Bolt.
Kart Isak, language and product manager at Lingvist, said that their language course was developed with the ride-hailing service vocabulary in mind to help drivers communicate with customers.
“Our language learning platform is specifically designed to develop practical language skills,” said Isak.
The cost of the language course created by Lingvist for Bolt drivers is 35 euros, which gives the driver access to the language learning platform for a whole year, allowing them to continue learning Estonian after they have mastered the core industry vocabulary.
Bolt has over 100 million users in 45 countries and over 500 cities in Europe and Africa. In Estonia, the ride-hailing service is available in 11 cities: Tallinn, Tartu, Parnu, Narva, Haapsalu, Johvi, Kohtla-Jarve, Kuressaare, Rakvere, Viljandi, Voru, and on the island of Hiiumaa.
Source: BNS
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