Curriculum
A curriculum guides a schools teaching, actions, and evaluation methods. Turku’s curriculum is based on the national core curriculum by the Finnish National Agency of Education. Turku’s curriculum provides more information about school subjects and evaluation methods.
- Find out more about the Turku basic education curriculum in Finnish
- Find out more about the Turku basic education curriculum in Swedish
- You can find a school’s own curriculum on the school’s website.
Features of religious and ethics education and language education in Turku
A student must study either religion or ethics. Turku organizes teaching in Evangelical-Lutheran, Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Islamic religions, as well as ethics teaching.
The school year report of a student does not mark what religion the student studied. For a student exempted from studying religion at school and who receives teaching in religion in their own religious community, religion is not indicated on the school year report.
A student’s religion or ethics studies is determined by the religion they have marked on the population register. Religious or ethics subject is chosen when enrolling to the 1st grade. The student normally participates in the teaching of their own religion if it is available. Alternatively, the student can participate in the teaching of Evangelical-Lutheran religion.
Instruction of the Finnish National Agency for Education (link)
Currently language studies begin on the 1st grade.
Basic education in Finnish
In basic education in Finnish, the A1 language mandatory for all, mainly English, is studied for one hour a week. A1 Swedish can be studied at Luostarivuoren koulu and A1 Spanish at Hannunniityn koulu. Additionally, in language classes it is possible to study French, Swedish, German, or Russian as an A1 language.
- In addition to A1, the B1 language, mandatory for all, starts on the 6th grade. The B1 Language is Swedish in Finnish-speaking schools and Finnish in Swedish-speaking schools.
- Students have the possibility to choose an elective A2 language starting in the 4th grade. The language can be Spanish, French, Swedish, German, or Russian. If a student is studying a language other than English as an A1 language, the student will start studying English as an A2 language.
- In the 8th grade, students have the opportunity to start B2 language as an elective subject. In Turku it is possible to study Spanish, French, German, or Russian as a B2 language.
Basic education in Swedish
In Swedish-language basic education, the common A1 language for all students is Finnish. Finnish is studied according to two different curricula, nybörjarfinska (beginners) and modersmålsinriktad finska (native Finnish).
- A1 language starts in 1st grade. The A2 language is always English, which starts in the 3rd grade.
- In the sixth grade, students have the opportunity to choose an extended B2 language as an optional subject, the options being Spanish, French or German.
- You can also start studying the B2 language in the eighth grade.
Ask for more information
- Primary School Language Teaching Development Teacher Marja Haastola.
- Language Teaching Development Teacher in Lower Secondary Schools, Annatuulia Aho.
- Developer Teacher of Bilingual Teaching, Sirkku Alin.
Physical education at schools
Physical education at school consists of physical education lessons that are based on the curriculum for physical education, lessons including physical activity as well as the physical activity during breaks, on the way to and from school, during club activities and activities organized by the physical exercise guidance at school.
There are physical education lessons weekly throughout the school year in basic education.
Find more information about physical exercise at schools and sports events from the school exercise blog (in Finnish)