Language studies

Mandatory language studies

In Turku comprehensive schools, pupils normally start studying their first foreign language in the 1st grade with an A1 Language which is English, except when pupils are enrolled in bilingual education. Some schools offer other options as well. In Hannunniittu School the first graders can also start studying Spanish and in Luostarivuori School you can choose Swedish. The language groups will start if there are enough pupils choosing them. The size of the A1 group must be at least 16 pupils. In addition to an A1 Language, a B1 Language is mandatory for all, and it starts in the 6th grade. The B1 Language is Swedish in Finnish-speaking schools and Finnish in Swedish-speaking schools. The table below shows the mandatory (A1 and B1) and elective/optional (A2 and B2) languages in their respective grades.

 

In addition to formal language education, schools support pupils’ linguistic and cultural skills through other activities, which is also reflected in the school club options and multidisciplinary units.

Elective/Optional languages

A2 language in the 4th grade

Pupils have the possibility to choose an A2 Language starting in the 4th grade. The options are French, German, Spanish, Swedish, or Russian. If the pupil’s A1 language (the first foreign language) is not English, he/she will start studying English as an A2 language in the 4th grade. Schools normally offer two different A2 languages and the selection varies according to the school and co-operation area. The size of a starting A2 Language group must be at least 14 pupils at the beginning of the 4th grade.

English: Puolalan koulu
French: Aunelan koulu, Kärsämäen koulu, Puolalan koulu, Pansion koulu, Topeliuksen koulu, Turun Lyseon koulu
German: Hepokullan koulu, Kähärin koulu, Mikaelin koulu, Puolalan koulu, Raunistulan koulu, Teräsrautelan koulu
Spanish: Aunelan koulu, Hepokullan koulu, Jäkärlän koulu, Turun Lyseon koulun Kärsämäen yksikkö, Pansion koulu, Topeliuksen koulu, Turun Lyseon koulu, Yli-Maarian koulu
Swedish: Jäkärlän koulu, Kähärin koulu, Turun Lyseon koulun Kärsämäen yksikkö, Paattisten koulu, Raunistulan koulu, Teräsrautelan koulu, Turun Lyseon koulu, Yli-Maarian koulu

English: Luostarivuoren koulu, Vähä-Heikkilän koulu
German: Haarlan koulu, Ilpoisten koulu, Luostarivuoren koulu, Syvälahden koulu, Wäinö Aaltosen koulu
Spanish: Vähä-Heikkilän koulu
Swedish: Haarlan koulu, Ilpoisten koulu, Luolavuoren koulu, Luostarivuoren koulu, Syvälahden koulu, Wäinö Aaltosen koulu

English: Hannunniitun koulu
French: Lausteen koulu, Vasaramäen koulu
German: Lausteen koulu, Hannunniitun koulu, Katariinan koulu, Nummenpakan koulu, Pääskyvuoren koulu, Varissuon koulu, Vasaramäen koulu
Spanish: Hannunniitun koulu, Katariinan koulu, Nummenpakan koulu, Pääskyvuoren koulu, Varissuon koulu
Swedish: Hannunniitun koulu, Katariinan koulu, Nummenpakan koulu, Pääskyvuoren koulu, Varissuon koulu

In addition to an A2 Language, pupils can start a B2 Language in the 8th grade. As their B2 Language, middle schools/secondary schools in Turku offer, for example Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Latin, French, German or Russian. The minimum size of a new B2 Language group is at the discretion of each school and therefore can vary each school year.

Native language education

The city of Turku also offers lessons in pupils’ respective native languages. More information can be found on this website: Multicultural Education