The Curriculum
The curriculum in all schools in Finland is based on national guidelines. It is the same for both Finnish and Swedish-language schools, includes Swedish as a second language, instruction in a student’s own mother tongue, and instruction in a student’s own religion or life stance education. The current curriculum emphasises the active participation of the children, communication skills and interaction with others, as well as wide-ranging learning.
The national curriculum in Swedish
Swedish as a Second Language
Students who are enrolled in a Swedish school, and whose mother tongue is something other than Swedish, Finnish, or Sami, and who need support in Swedish-language have the possibility to receive instruction in Swedish as a second language, S2, instead of Swedish language and literature. The aim is for students to learn enough Swedish to be able to follow instruction and have the same opportunities as other students in a Swedish-language environment.
Whether a child will receive instruction in Swedish language and literature, or S2 will depend on the individual child, so you can discuss options for your child together with the school. The child can be transferred to Swedish language and literature classes once their language skills are strong enough, or vice versa.
S2 is part of the regular curriculum, and it is available for children between 6-17 years old. It is often offered at the child’s own school, children from several classes can study in the same S2 class. S2 instruction is provided by a specific S2 teacher who meets the child regularly in class. The teacher often teaches at several schools, so they are not available daily at the child’s school.
If a child was born in Finland, but has a parent with a different nationality, S2 education may be offered as an alternative, but the parents should be aware that this is not compulsory, and may limit the child’s choices in higher education, for instance. It depends on the child whether S2 or Swedish language and literature is the best option.
HELSINGFORS
ESBO
- For information on S2 education, please contact the school directly
- Contact details for the Swedish Education and Culture Unit
VANDA
- For information on S2 education, please contact the school directly
GRANKULLA
- For information on S2 education, please contact the school directly
Own Mother Tongue
Children with immigrant background, bilingual children or children who have moved back to Finland from abroad all have the right to study their mother tongue or home language at school. Remember to ask for the form about mother tongue studies. It’s up to the family to ask for this service.
In order for a group to be formed, there needs to be a certain number of students for that particular language. Instruction may be available at another Swedish school, or even at a Finnish school, and the school does not necessarily assist in transfers to the other school.
Participation in the mother tongue studies is optional. However, once the pupil has enrolled in the studies, they are required to attend the lessons.
Information about mother tongue instruction in Helsinki and the application form:
Information about mother tongue instruction in Esbo can be found here.
Information about mother tongue instruction in Vanda.
In Grankulla you have to ask for the form directly from the school.
Religion and Ethics
Religion and ethics is a compulsory subject in comprehensive school so while visiting the school for registration, or registering through Wilma, think about what you want your child to study. As a parent you need to be active and choose the alternative you prefer for your child.
The options are either one’s own religion, the mainstream religion or ethics. If your child is a member of the Evangelical-Lutheran or Orthodox church they must receive religious studies instruction of that religion. Evangelical-Lutheran is the mainstream religion that can be chosen even if the child is not a member of the church. The instruction is politically and religiously unaffiliated.
In order for a group to be formed, there needs to be a certain number of students for that particular religion. Instruction may be available at another Swedish school, or even at a Finnish school, and the school does not necessarily assist in the transfers to the other school.
Information about religious and ethics studies in Helsingfors and also the application form, in Swedish.
Information about what religions that are taught in Esbo, ask straight from the school for the form.
Information about religious and ethics studies in Vanda. In Grankulla you have to ask for the form straight from the school.