New education system in Finland. Basic languages ​​and the principle of free education

It is almost impossible to say which countries' schools are the best in the world. However, there is one country whose students perform well on the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), which includes exams in mathematics, reading and science. It may come as a surprise to many, but Finland, a country of 5.5 million people, consistently ranks among the top 5 best education systems in the world, second only to Asian countries.

Consistently high results have prompted many teachers to study schools in Finland to try to find out the “secret of the trade”. Many people have expressed surprise, interest, and even envy at the high performance of Finnish students, asking, “Why is a country the size of New Mexico better than the United States in academic performance?” Below we present 10 reasons why the Finnish school system produces such excellent results.

The school education system gives children a strong start

The Finnish government provides strong support to young families

One of the reasons why Finnish schools are able to perform well is that children in Finland come to school with a strong foundation. The Finnish government helps families a lot, starting with their famous "baby boxes" containing clothes, books and other necessities for babies for the first year, which are provided free of charge to every expectant mother in Finland. Young parents are given ample opportunities to contact your children; mothers receive 4 months of paid maternity leave, and there is an additional 6 months of leave for one parent, also with full pay.

If parents decide to send their child to kindergarten, the government allocates funds for highly qualified staff (teachers have a bachelor's degree); The maximum cost per child is $4,000 per year. All preschool educational institutions are absolutely free, which is actively used by the majority of Finnish parents, which means that when children start going to school at the age of 7, they already come there with quite good knowledge. As representatives of the Finnish Ministry of Education explain: “We consider this set of measures as the right of every child to kindergarten. This is not a place where you abandon your child while you work. This is a place for a child to play, learn and make friends.”

Highly qualified teachers

In Finland, the teaching profession is highly respected.

In Finland, many people want to become teachers; teachers are treated on par with other professionals such as lawyers and doctors. A master's degree (fully paid for by the Finnish government) is a prerequisite for a teaching position, and competition in this specialty is therefore very high. One member of the admissions committee reports that in 2012 the University of Helsinki received more than 2,300 applications for 120 places in primary program teacher education.

The requirement for a master's degree means that Finnish teachers typically have between 5 and 7.5 years of educational preparation for their profession before they teach classes themselves. Because teachers have had a long period of training, they are more likely to view teaching as a lifelong profession, and Finnish society places special emphasis on teachers, which in turn enables them to do their job even more effectively.

Special freedom of teaching

Innovation in learning is encouraged in Finland

With a teaching staff made up of the best and brightest who are widely educated for their jobs, the Finnish government freely allows teachers greater autonomy in their classrooms. Teachers are given freedom to test innovative approaches to learning, such as “outdoor” math lessons.

Compared to teachers in other countries such as the United States, Finnish teachers tend to spend less time in the classroom than their international counterparts. While the average school teacher in the US can spend 1,080 teaching hours per school year out of 180 days, a Finnish secondary school teacher will spend about 600 teaching hours in the same period. This extra time gives Finnish teachers more opportunities to develop new teaching strategies and individual assessments to explore the needs of their students.

Finland has a very comprehensive national education system, for example: math problems for grades 1–9 only take 10 pages. Most curriculum decisions are made at the local level, by teachers and school principals, and teachers and students are evaluated by their peers and administrators. Finnish teachers tend to have more freedom in their teaching, which sets them apart from other teachers around the world.

Equal opportunities for everyone

In Finland, all students receive equal attention

Some critics of the broad applicability of Finland's educational strategies point to Finland's relatively homogeneous population and the lack of other student problems in its schools. In a sense they are right; Finland's generous social protection means that even the poorest children have access to adequate food, housing and healthcare. However, Finland's population is becoming increasingly diverse (4% foreign since 2011), with some schools educating more than 50% immigrant children. Moreover, Finnish schools are ahead of their northern neighbors with a similar population composition.

One of the factors that helps educational institutions perform well is the national priority to achieve equality among both schools and students. If a student begins to fall behind, the government quickly provides funds to help him reach the goal the teacher has set for him. As an example, here are the words of one Finnish teacher whose school mainly teaches children of immigrants: “Children from rich families with a lot of knowledge can be taught by stupid teachers. We are trying to help weak students. It's deep in our minds."

The goal is to educate all children, including those with special needs, in the same regular classrooms. Classes are structured according to ability level, ensuring high expectations for all students, and teachers are always willing to help students catch up with their classmates. This emphasis on equality is paying off; A recent study found that Finland has the smallest difference between its weakest and strongest students of any country in the world.

Teachers are not focused on test preparation

There is no focus on test preparation in Finland

Although Finnish children usually perform better in international tests in mathematics and reading, standardized testing is not part of the Finnish education system. There is only mandatory state test for Finnish students at the end of their final year of secondary school. Before then, there may be additional tests at the district level, but the results are not made public and receive little attention from teachers, schools, or even parents or the media.

The lack of emphasis on standardized tests means that Finnish teachers have greater flexibility in how they structure their lessons, as well as the freedom to assess their students' progress using more individualized measures. When discussing the use of American-style standardized test scores to evaluate teachers, one Finnish principal describes how this idea is unacceptable to the Finnish education system by saying, “If you only look at statistics, you will miss the human aspect.” An official from the Finnish Ministry of Education also downplays the success of Finnish students on international tests, saying: “We are not very interested [in test results]. That's not what we're going to do."

Children start going to school at a later age

Children in Finland are sent to school later than usual

Clearly, high-quality subsidized day care and pre-school options mean that even though Finnish children start school at a later age, they begin informal learning and school preparation much earlier. However, until the age of 7, the emphasis is on hands-on learning through play and movement. If children do not show interest and desire, they are not expected to learn to read in kindergarten. This approach is supported by research showing no long-term benefits for children who learn to read in kindergarten.

A Finnish school principal argues that this relaxed approach to teaching is better suited to the needs and abilities of the youngest students, saying: “We take our time. Children learn best when they are ready. Why customize them? “The children are happy because all Finnish schools share this philosophy; parents do not worry that their children are falling behind their peers.

Games are part of the schedule

Walks and games are part of the curriculum

Arja-Sisko Holappa, advisor to the Finnish National Board of Education, emphasizes the importance of children having fun learning, saying: “There is an old Finnish proverb. Those things that you learn without joy, you will easily forget. In accordance with this philosophy, every Finnish school tries to make children happy while learning. In addition to standard language, math and science lessons, children attend a wide range of extracurricular activities in foreign languages, arts/crafts, ethics and music. During breaks between classes, children go outside for 15 minutes 4 times a day, regardless of weather conditions. Finnish teachers and parents view these unregulated outings as a necessary part of the learning process.

The emphasis on joy extends beyond the audience. Finnish children usually have more free time because they have less homework than their peers in other developed countries.

Everyone goes to public schools

In Finland, schools help each other

One of the most unusual aspects of the Finnish school system is the almost ubiquitous presence of public schools. There are very few private schools in Finland. Pasi Sahlberg, a representative of the Finnish Ministry of Education and author of Finnish textbooks, says: “What can the world learn from the educational system in Finland? The Finnish education system places a premium on collaboration more attention than competition, that's why Finnish schools are so strong.

In Finland, everyone has a stake in the success and quality of the country's public schools. Innovations that work well in one school quickly spread to others, so best practices can help every student. Schools do not compete with each other based on student numbers and test scores. In Finland, everyone is equally invested in the quality of schools (unlike many developed countries where public schools compete with private ones, stealing students, teachers and funding).

Finnish children have great prospects, given their interests and strengths

Children have great prospects after finishing school

The Finnish school system is exceptionally good for secondary school students; 93% of Finnish students have graduated from a vocational or academic universities significantly faster than their peers in many other developed countries. Finnish children are given a choice during their studies: continue their studies in vocational education programs that prepare them for work in construction, healthcare, tourism and enroll in a polytechnic institute, or enroll in curriculum, preparing them for entering university. About 43% of students follow a professional path.

IN Lately Studying in Scandinavian countries, including Finland, is very popular. Despite the fact that the education system of this state has not existed for so long, it is recognized as one of the best in Europe and the world. Finnish educational institutions confidently occupy first positions in world rankings. What are the features of the Finnish educational system? What prospects open up for foreign students?

Features of the Finnish educational system

The structure of the Finnish educational system is conventionally divided into 4 levels - preschool, school, secondary and higher.

Training at each level of the system is mainly carried out on 2 official languages(in Finnish and Swedish), and in the northern regions - in Suomi.

The school year begins in mid-August (usually from the 8th to the 16th at the discretion of educational institutions), and ends at the end of May. The academic academic year is divided into two semesters - autumn (from late August or early September to mid-December) and spring (from January to May). Schoolchildren and students study from Monday to Friday (shortened days) exclusively during the daytime; holidays last 3-4 days in the fall, 2 weeks in the winter and spring. The duration of the academic year is 190 days.

According to UN research, Finland ranked 2nd in the world in terms of education level after Australia in 2011.

The structure of the Finnish education system is similar to the Russian one

Preschool level

Preschool institutions are kindergartens and nurseries, which accept children from 9 months of age to 6 years. The main functions of preschool institutions are caring for children and providing assistance to parents in their upbringing, teaching the basics of school disciplines and interaction with each other in a team. There are no uniform educational standards for preschool education. A mandatory component of the classes are daily walks and visits to various cultural institutions. The group size is usually from 12 to 20 children of different ages. One teacher can work with a maximum of 4 children; this rule is enshrined in law.

Preschool opening hours are 06:30–17:00. However, parents have the opportunity to leave the child for 4–5 hours. Some kindergartens operate at night, they are intended for cases when parents go on business trips or work at night. They are also divided into private and municipal. Family-type gardens with small groups and an environment as close as possible to home, where there is no strict routine, are popular. There are institutions for immigrant children where their native language is taught along with Finnish and Swedish.

Attending kindergartens is not compulsory. About a third of Finnish preschoolers do not attend these institutions. In large populated areas, there are often not enough places in kindergartens, so parents who independently raise a child are paid an allowance of 500 €.

One year before entering primary school at the age of 6–7 years, children receive preliminary preschool education, it is mandatory for everyone. Specialized preparatory classes operate both at local schools and in kindergartens by decision of municipalities. Children are taught reading, writing, mathematics, science, and ethics.

Children of different ages can be raised in the same group

Video: Finnish education system

School (primary) education

School education is compulsory and free for everyone. The training programs are unified (there are no elite educational institutions or specialized classes). Children begin attending school at the age of 7–8 years, the duration of education is 9–10 years. An important component of education is inclusive education, when children with disabilities study alongside ordinary children. Schools are divided into elementary and high schools.

Along with public schools, private schools also operate, but they do not have the right to charge tuition fees.

In primary school, education lasts 6 years. Classes are taught by one teacher. In grades 1–2, children study mathematics, reading, their native language, and natural history. Additionally, students are engaged in physical education, music, singing, drawing, and modeling. Moreover, several subjects can be studied within one lesson. Every year the number of disciplines increases. Teachers start giving grades only after 3rd grade.

Education begins in 7th grade high school. As a rule, it is located in a separate building. Subjects are taught by different teachers. Their assistants are also present during lessons. Additional disciplines are chosen by the students themselves. The duration of training is 3 years. At the request of the student, he can stay at school for another 1 year to improve the quality of his knowledge or go to work.

Finnish schools provide many opportunities for students

In elementary school, students' knowledge is assessed orally. The grading system in high school is ten-point (4 is the lowest and requires a subsequent retake). Grades are recorded in electronic class registers, which parents have access to.

From 1st grade, education is conducted in Finnish. From the 3rd grade, schoolchildren begin to study English, and from the 4th grade they choose an optional language (French, German, Russian). Compulsory Swedish learning begins in 7th grade. By the way, schoolchildren are given almost no homework.

At the end of school, students do not take final exams.

Video: features of education in Finnish schools

Second stage or secondary education

After graduating from school at the age of 16–17, you can continue your studies at a lyceum (gymnasium) or at vocational institutions. Education at this stage is also provided free of charge, but food and educational materials are paid separately. When entering lyceums and colleges, the average score of grades at school is taken into account.

Education at lyceums is aimed at preparing for admission to universities and lasts 3 years. It is in lyceums that the most capable and gifted children study.

Vocational education can be obtained both in schools (colleges) and directly in production under an agreement with the employer. Depending on the chosen specialty, training lasts from 1 to 4 years. Particular attention is paid to obtaining practical knowledge. Upon graduation, students receive a certificate of secondary vocational education.

Upon completion of lyceums and gymnasiums, it is necessary to pass exams, the results of which are issued a certificate of maturity, which is required for admission to universities. College graduates can get it, but they need to pass extra education. Exams are taken in Swedish or Finnish, as well as a selected foreign language, mathematics or one of the humanities.

Higher education and its principles

In Finland, there are two types of higher education institutions - polytechnics and universities. The peculiarity of polytechnic institutes is that training is aimed at obtaining practical knowledge and skills necessary for work in a particular field. At universities, students receive an academic education as the emphasis is on theoretical knowledge.

Each higher education institution independently determines the list of required documents for submission and the list of entrance tests.

Universities in Finland teach in Finnish and Swedish. But in last years More and more international programs are being introduced, the students of which are foreign students, so some courses are taught entirely in English. In some universities, only the first 2 years are taught in English, so students must take an exam in Finnish upon completion. If the knowledge is insufficient, the student leaves the educational institution.

Some courses in international programs are taught in English

The scientific degree system has 4 levels:

• Bachelor (3–4 years),
• Master (2 years of study after receiving a bachelor's degree),
• doctor (4 years of study after master's degree),
• licentiate (has no analogues in the world, awarded after 2 years of doctoral studies).

To obtain a master's degree, you must defend a dissertation, and for a doctorate, you must conduct scientific research. In polytechnics, the majority of students receive a bachelor's degree.

Universities are public and private. In the latter, as a rule, they teach philosophical and religious sciences.

Finnish universities participate in the Bologna process and use Unified System Credit units (ECTS).

Cost of education

Preschool education is provided entirely on a fee basis. The fee for a kindergarten or nursery can vary from 23 to 250 €, regardless of the location of the institution and prestige.

Education in schools, lyceums and colleges is free for everyone.

Higher education is also provided free of charge for both Finnish citizens and foreigners. However, students must pay a fee of 80 € annually.

From 2017, tuition at some universities will be paid, the cost will be about 1,500 €.

Table: popular educational institutions in Finland

Name	Peculiarities
University of Helsinki	Founded in 1640. The oldest university in the country. The education received at the Faculty of Medicine is considered the most valuable. Education in bachelor's programs is conducted in Finnish and Swedish, and in master's and doctoral programs in some specialties in English.
Founded in 2010 on the basis of the universities of Joensuu and Kuopio. The main direction of educational programs is conducting scientific research. The institution actively participates in international projects.
University of Turku	The second largest university in the country, founded in 1920. Particular attention is paid to international cooperation. Offers a range of master's and doctoral programs developed in collaboration with universities from other countries. Teaching in the master's program is conducted in English.
Founded in 2010. It is the third largest university in Finland. Conducts research in the fields of business, science and culture. Most master's courses are taught in English.
Founded in 1934 on the basis of a pedagogical college. Leading university for training teachers and educators. Included in the top 100 best universities in the world.
It was founded in 1997. Subjects are taught in Finnish and Russian. Additional classes are provided for immigrant children who have difficulty mastering the Finnish language.

Photo gallery: popular educational institutions in Finland

Teaching at the school is conducted in Russian and Finnish The main profile of the University of Jyvaskylä is the training of teachers and teachers Aalto University is the third largest university in Finland The University of Turku actively cooperates with foreign educational institutions The main profile of the University of Eastern Finland is research work The University of Helsinki is the most prestigious University of Finland

Requirements for foreign applicants upon admission

Requirements for foreign applicants upon admission are established by each educational institution individually, however, some general ones can be distinguished among them.

For admission to universities for bachelor's degree programs, the following is required:

• certificate of complete secondary education,
• good academic performance,
• TOEFL certificate (not lower than 550 points) or IELTS (not lower than 5.0),
• certificate confirming knowledge of the Finnish language.

If certificates of passing language tests are not available, universities can conduct testing as an entrance test.

To enroll in a university master's program you need:

• certificate of higher education(admission of senior students is possible),
• an extract from the educational record or an insert from the certificate with grades,
• the average score in the certificate is not lower than 4.5,
• IELTS certificate (not lower than 5.5) or TOEFL (79 points for online testing).

Some universities accept PTE and Cambridge CAE certificates as proof of English knowledge. If the applicant's language preparation is at an insufficient level, the admissions committee does not consider the documents. Educational certificates must be translated into Swedish, Finnish and English and certified by a notary.

Scholarships and grants

Finnish educational policy is aimed at the active development of international cooperation. To attract foreign students, more than 400 programs have been developed, taught in English. In Finland, more than 7 thousand complete the full course foreign students, of which about 4 thousand study at universities. In addition, almost 7 thousand students from all over the world visit Finland on exchange programs.

CIMO - Center for International Relations - an organization that coordinates exchange and training programs and reports to the Ministry of Education of Finland. She also distributes information materials and consultancy, promotes the teaching of Finnish language and culture, and organizes summer courses for foreign students.

Russian students can receive a grant for both a full course of study and a partial one as part of an exchange program.

Young graduate students and researchers, as well as representatives of small Finno-Ugric peoples of Russia, can apply for scholarships from the CIMO center. They are usually issued for a period of 3 months to a year, and the amount is 700–1000 € per month and depends on the qualifications of the scholarship holder and the support of the host university.

You can find out information about the conditions for participation in the programs and apply on the CIMO website - http://www.cimo.fi.

Student accommodation

Universities organize accommodation for students. For this purpose, a specialized housing network has been created, which includes more than 10 thousand apartments. All of them are run by universities, foundations or associations. Housing is provided according to the order in which applications are submitted. You can do the search yourself, but the cost of renting it will be higher.

Students usually live in two- or three-room apartments for several people. A young family may be provided with a separate apartment. The average monthly rent is about 300 € and includes mandatory payments for electricity and water supply.

Living expenses average around 800 € per month. However, in major cities they are slightly taller.

Conditions for obtaining a study visa for foreigners

To apply for a student visa you must be enrolled in educational institution, and then contact the Finnish Embassy. A short-term student visa is issued for studies of less than 3 months. If the program lasts longer than this period, a residence permit is issued. The standard package of documents for submission to the embassy includes:

• certificate of admission to an educational institution,
• bank account statement (the amount must be at least 550 € per month),
• application form (filled out in in electronic format, then printed on paper),
• international passport,
• 2 photos 36×47 mm,
• certificate of education,
• insurance policy (coverage amount for a period of study of less than 2 years - 100 thousand €, more - 30 thousand €),
• 330 € (230 for minors) to pay for the consideration of the application,
• birth certificate and parental consent for the child’s departure, translated into Finnish, Swedish and English for minors.

The first visa is usually issued for a year. To extend it, you must promptly send a request to the police.

Courses during study and employment prospects

During their studies, students can additionally attend language courses, which are available at each university.

Universities usually help graduates with employment after training - preparing resumes, organizing meetings and interviews. You can get a job in any country in the world. Finnish enterprises are usually willing to accept applicants with knowledge of the Russian language. Migration authorities do not interfere with the extension of a residence permit if a graduate has a job in his field.

After receiving a residence permit, the student has the right to work, but no more than 20 hours during the week during studies and 40 hours during the holidays. Finding a job is quite difficult, especially in your specialty. In areas where there is constant interaction with people, knowledge of the Finnish language is required. Average wage for professions that do not require qualifications and knowledge of the language, it is about 8 € per hour. Employment centers operating at universities provide assistance in finding work for students.

Final table: pros and cons of Finnish education

pros	Minuses
Education in schools, lyceums, colleges, universities is provided free of charge	Difficulties in obtaining entry documents
Low cost of education in kindergartens and nurseries	Not all students are provided with dormitories and student apartments
Convenience of organization educational process at all levels	Finnish is a relatively difficult language to learn
Some courses are taught entirely or partially in English	Without knowledge of Finnish or Swedish, it is impossible to get a well-paid job after studying
Individual approach to each pupil/student	High cost of living
While studying, students can work part-time	Knowledge of the Finnish language is required for admission to universities for undergraduate programs.
Job prospects in Finnish companies after studying	The main type of training is self-training

Despite the fact that Finland is independent state exists only 100 years, its educational system is deservedly considered one of the best in the world. This country traditionally ranks first in the population education index, and holders of diplomas from its higher educational institutions are in great demand in all countries Western Europe. High-quality and, which is very important for young people, free education attracts students from all over the world to Finland. Citizens of Russia are no exception. Studying in Finland is especially popular among residents of the North-West region, for whom a simplified visa issuance system applies.

Features of Finnish education

Each stage of training allows you to improve the level of education

The educational system operating in Finland today was formed in the 60s of the last century. It includes 4 steps:

• preschool education;
• comprehensive school;
• secondary educational institutions;
• higher education institutions.

At each level, instruction is conducted in two official languages: Finnish and Swedish. In the northern regions of the country, they are supplemented by the indigenous language of Suomi.

Preschool education

Kindergartens in Finland accept children from 9 months to 5 years. Their main task is to care for children during the day and help parents raise their children. Unlike all other stages of education, this stage costs money. Moreover, the amount of payment does not depend on the prestige or better equipment of the kindergarten, but on the income of the child’s parents. The maximum payment is 254 euros, and the minimum is 23 euros.

Kindergartens in Finland have everything necessary for the development of children

A kindergarten group can have from 12 to 21 children, depending on their age. The younger the children, the more teachers work with them. IN big cities There is often a shortage of places in preschool institutions, therefore, the state pays benefits to those parents who independently care for the child.

At the age of 6, preparation for school begins, which lasts one year. Its attendance is free and compulsory for all children. Groups for classes are formed in kindergarten or school.

Comprehensive school

School education in Finland consists of two levels and lasts 9-10 years. Moreover, students do not pass exams even after graduating from school. They don't have diaries either. Parents can learn about their child’s progress from the electronic classroom journal in national system Wilma. In addition, once a month the class curator gives them a report card, where all the student’s grades are recorded.

Video: sightseeing tour with the director of a secondary school in Finland

The academic year begins in mid-August (the exact date is set by the school administration) and lasts until the end of May or the beginning of June. During this time, schoolchildren go on vacation three times. All schools in the country work first shift, 5 days a week.

First level

At the age of 7, children go to primary school (alakoulu), where education lasts 6 years. Junior classes spend all their time in the same office with a permanent teacher. In the first two years, schoolchildren study four main subjects:

• mathematics;
• reading;
• native language;
• natural history.

Additionally, they do physical education. Much attention is also paid to the creative development of children: they are taught to play various musical instruments, choral singing, drawing and modeling. In one lesson, kids can study several disciplines at the same time.

Children are provided great amount development opportunities

Every year new lessons are added, and by the end of the sixth grade, students have basic knowledge in all basic subjects, which necessarily include Finnish, Swedish and two foreign languages. Grades in Finnish primary schools appear after the 3rd grade and are given only orally.

Particular attention is paid to inclusive education; all Finns are explained from an early age that children with speech impediments and people with disabilities are full-fledged people who should be treated as equals.

Upper stage

From 7th grade, students move to high school. Usually it is located in a separate building. At this stage, each teacher teaches a separate subject. In the classroom he is accompanied by an assistant, which greatly simplifies the learning process.

High school students have the right to independently choose additional disciplines. Training at this level lasts 3 years. If desired, children can improve their knowledge by attending an additional tenth grade. After graduating from high school, graduates can continue their education or go to work. Their introduction to professions is given quite a lot of attention in the ninth grade. Students independently choose their desired place for employment and become familiar with its features.

Schoolchildren are given virtually no homework. Finnish teachers believe that it is healthier for children to walk and spend free time with parents, and not sit over lessons.

In high school, a ten-point grading system is adopted, in which the lowest is a four. If a student receives such a final grade, he must prove at the beginning of the next school year that his knowledge has improved.

Principles of Finnish school education

According to research by the international organization PISA, Finnish schoolchildren consistently rank first in terms of educational level. Experts around the world are trying to unravel the mystery of such effective learning. Most of them believe that this was largely possible thanks to a number of principles on which Finnish education is based.

1. Equality. There are no elite or ordinary schools in Finland. All educational institutions are equally well funded and have the same opportunities. Finns do not divide children into different classes depending on their abilities and the financial capabilities of their parents. Both geniuses and noticeably lagging behind study in the same team. Teachers should not ask children questions related to their parents’ place of work and income level.
2. Free. In Finnish schools, any collection of money from parents is strictly prohibited. In addition to the training itself, students are provided free of charge: lunches, excursions and any extracurricular activities, textbooks and all necessary supplies, including tablets or e-books; transport that transports children if the distance from home to the nearest school is more than 2 km.
3. Individuality. For each child, teachers develop a special curriculum. The student may ask for additional explanation of the material at the end of the lesson. There are no tutors in Finland. Teachers do an excellent job with their responsibilities. For children who constantly have problems mastering the material, there is remedial education. It is carried out in small groups or individually.
4. Voluntariness. Teachers try to interest the child in studying certain subjects, but if he does not have the desire or does not have enough abilities, then he will be oriented towards obtaining a good working specialty. A special school specialist, the “teacher of the future,” is engaged in identifying inclinations for certain activities.
5. Practicality. Finnish schools prepare students for life, not for exams. It is important not to memorize formulas, but to learn how to use reference books and correctly apply the information received. Children are not called to the board, the teacher explains the topic of the lesson and, together with an assistant, monitors the completion of tasks.

Secondary education - lyceums and colleges

After school, Finns can continue their education at a lyceum (lukio) or vocational college(ammattikoulu). Selection for educational institutions at this level is based on average school grades. Weak students go to college, where they receive a working specialty, and stronger students go to a lyceum, where they improve their knowledge in various disciplines.

Depending on the future profession College education lasts from one to four years. Here you can get a specialty in almost any field: from agriculture to art or sports. During training, special attention is paid to practical knowledge. Graduates, if desired, can enter any higher educational institution.

Video: vocational education system in Finland

At the lyceum, education lasts for 3 years. It is conducted according to the course system, so there is no usual division into classes. After graduating from the lyceum, graduates take exams in the following disciplines:

• native language (Finnish or Swedish);
• second state language;
• foreign language;
• mathematics or humanities subjects (optional).

After successfully passing these tests, graduates in a solemn ceremony receive white caps, which they are very proud of, and begin to be considered applicants. Passing the exams allows you to choose any institute or university in the country for further education.

Higher education

Universities in Finland are divided into two categories:

• universities (yliopisto)
• polytechnic institutes, or if their name is literally translated from Finnish, “institutes of applied sciences” (ammattikorkeakoulu).

The main difference between polytechnic institutes is the large number practical classes, which are introduced into the curriculum at the beginning of the first year.

The Finnish degree system includes the following levels:

1. Bachelor (kandidaatti). Awarded after 3-4 years of study at any university in the country. Some faculties require the defense of a final thesis or in-depth study of several subjects.
2. Master (maisteri). To obtain a master's degree, you need to study for another 2 years at the university. Graduates of polytechnic institutes who decide to become masters must work for three years in their chosen specialty and attend one-year preparatory courses.
3. Doctor of Science (tohtori). The student becomes the holder of this title after 4 years of doctoral studies, conducting scientific research and defending a dissertation. In the middle of this period, applicants are awarded a lecinciate degree, which has no analogues in other European countries.

Basic languages ​​and the principle of free education

Education at universities in the country is conducted in Finnish and Swedish. But there are programs for foreign students in English. Most of them are designed to obtain a master's degree in business and IT technology. Depending on the program, teaching in English may last the entire course or only the first two years.

All stages of Finnish higher education are free for both local residents and foreigners, including citizens of Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

Popular educational institutions and educational programs for Russians

For a long time, Finnish parents did not have the right to choose schools. Despite the fact that this ban has now been lifted, most students continue to go to nearby schools, since they are all almost the same. But there are educational institutions in which the program is noticeably different from others. Thus, the Russian School of Eastern Finland, founded in 1997, is popular among immigrants from our country. Its branches are located in three cities: Joensuu, Lappeenranta and Imatrea.

Education at this school is conducted in Finnish, but some subjects are taught in Russian. In addition, immigrant children receive assistance in their native language during lessons and can attend additional classes to learn Finnish.

Graduates of the Russian School, without exams, enter its gymnasium, where they are formed into special groups that study in the city’s lyceums. They study core subjects separately from other lyceum students, and compulsory ones - in general classes.

There are about 50 higher education institutions in Finland. The largest and most prestigious of them is the University of Helsinki. Only highly qualified specialists teach there. Almost all possible disciplines are studied here; the education received at the medical faculty of this university is especially valued. Bachelor's degrees are taught only in Finnish and Swedish, but many master's and doctoral programs are taught in English.

The oldest and largest university in Finland, founded in 1640

Most Russian students choose business-oriented programs, information Technology and tourism. This is due to the fact that these areas are usually taught in English. Some universities have programs in which some subjects are taught in Russian. Thus, the Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences (Ammattikorkeakoulu) teaches a course in hotel business and tourism. Here you can get both a bachelor's and a master's degree.

Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences is very popular among Russians

How to enter a university?

First of all, you need to decide on the choice of university and find out about its rules for admitting applicants. All universities independently determine the deadlines for submitting documents, their list and the method of passing entrance exams.

Video: how to enter the Finnish University of Applied Sciences

Most universities accept applications from the beginning of December to the end of March. Most often, future students must submit the following documents:

• a completed application for admission to a university (a sample can be found on the website Universityadmissions.fi - for universities or Admissions.fi - for polytechnic institutes);
• a copy of the certificate of secondary education, translated into Finnish;
• certificate confirming successful completion international English language exam (TOEFL or IELTS);
• a motivation letter in English, in which the applicant explains why he chose this particular university.

Some universities independently test the level of English language proficiency in a face-to-face exam.

11th grade students who have not yet received a certificate can enter Finnish universities under the discretionary admission program. To do this, they will need to attach to the package of documents a certificate confirming their studies in the 11th grade and a report card with grades for the first half of the year.

If the review of documents is positive, the applicant receives a written invitation to the entrance examination. Based on this document, the future student receives permission to enter Finland.

Some universities require you to pass exams in specialized subjects, while others require you to successfully pass an interview. Admissions committees from Finland often come to the border regions of Russia and conduct entrance tests on site.

After receiving confirmation of enrollment at the university, you must apply for a student visa. To do this, you must provide the Finnish Embassy with a package of documents, which includes:

• a questionnaire filled out according to the OLE_OPI form (it can be downloaded from the website migri.fi);
• two photographs measuring 47 mm by 36 mm;
• a valid foreign passport;
• a certificate confirming enrollment in a Finnish educational institution;
• certificate of education received in Russia;
• a certificate from the bank confirming the availability of funds sufficient to live in Finland (at least 560 euros per month);
• medical insurance policy;
• birth certificate and parental permission to travel to Finland (for students under 18 years of age).

Students who come to Finland for more than a year are required to obtain registration from the police department. It includes the provision of basic personal data and is renewed every year.

Cost of studying in Finland for foreigners

Higher education in Finland is free, but students will still have to spend money. During training at the university it is necessary to pay for textbooks and mandatory membership fee to the trade union. Typically these payments do not exceed 90 euros per month. In addition, the student pays for housing and food on his own.

Every city in Finland has an organization that distributes dormitories. There are a lot of people who want to get housing there, so it’s better to contact them immediately after admission. Applications are submitted to the organization's website. The cost of a private room in three-room apartment ranges from 150 to 300 euros depending on the size of the city.

Foreign students receiving their first higher education are not provided with any scholarships. Only applicants for a master's or doctorate degree can qualify for various grants.

A student visa gives you the right to work no more than 20 hours a week. During the holidays this restriction is lifted. In large cities of Finland, find a job for a student fluent in Finnish, easy enough. Without this skill, you often have to settle for the position of a cleaner or handyman.

School education

Finnish system school education has been leading the European rankings for the last 16 years. When Finland became a world leader in school education at the beginning of the 21st century, it came as a surprise to both the world and the Finns themselves. Finnish high school students' average scores in reading, mathematics and scientific literacy are now among the highest among PISA countries.

Finland managed to carry out educational reforms, the result of which, according to many, was the “school of the future.” They randomly combine objects and promote “relaxed concentration.” No coercion, just stimulation of the thirst for knowledge. Eva Rezvan talks about one of the most fashionable and discussed secondary education systems in the world.

Just thirty years ago, Finland's education system was not only lagging behind, but was not considered at all worthy of attention. Today it is one of the most effective educational models in the world. It is studied and followed. She is hardly even criticized, which happens extremely rarely in our troubled information space, because all criticism is easily crushed by the highest indicators of authoritative ratings. For almost ten years, Finland has occupied a leading position in the world's main monitoring PISA ( International program for assessing the educational achievements of students).

Even radical opponents of the Finnish educational system admit that its main advantage is that it is relaxed. True, they further add that her main drawback is that she is too relaxed (“too relaxed”). Paradoxically, in order to achieve tangible success in education reform, Finland applied wisdom borrowed from the culture of its ideological antipode - China. In martial arts there is a concept of “relaxed concentration of attention.”

This means that to achieve maximum effectiveness, a person should not be tense. After all, tension is stress when the body’s resources are aimed not at development, but at survival

A comfortable environment built on the principles of humanism, which implies equality and respect for all participants in the process, is the starting point of Finnish success. Psychological safety, the creation of opportunities and an individualized attitude open up amazing potential in children, which produces amazing results on a national scale.

However, the euphoria is not entirely shared within the country. Locals consider the worldwide praises praising the Finnish school to be about 75% legitimate. The defining goal of the Finnish system is to bring everyone to an average level. As a result, the emphasis is on helping the laggards.

If you remember, in Soviet schools, two grades as a final grade were an exception. But not because the teachers were so kind and attentive, but because they did not want to spoil the reporting. Here the reporting factor is not so important, but a certain average level is built into the system, and if a child does not keep up, everything is done to help him. They organize extra classes and help with homework. In general, they do their best to bring the weak to the average level.

However, if a child is above average, smart, capable, and learning is easy for him, then this is where the 25% come out, which are conditionally attributed to the shortcomings of the system. A gifted child, as a rule, receives insufficient workload. His potential turns out to be unclaimed, and further development is already entirely within the competence of the parents. In the capital and large cities, children planning a career in medicine or law are required to hire tutors to prepare for entering universities.

The secondary school level is far from sufficient to qualify for higher education, and parents have to organize additional classes on their own

By the way, the cost of such classes is not cheap at all - the average price of an hour with a tutor is 40-60 euros. Another advantage of the Finnish school (and the state as a whole) immediately appears: problems are not hushed up. There is now a wide discussion about how the situation can be improved. Moreover, local teachers are not waiting ready-made solutions“the best minds”, so that they can then take the lead and begin execution. Since the Finnish teacher has sufficient freedom in choosing teaching methods, adjustments begin almost as soon as a problem is identified.

A successful model would not be such if it did not have a unique systematic approach to solving difficult problems. Instead of loading capable students until they lose their pulse, as they would have done, for example, in China or South Korea, the school is “reformatting” academic subjects in such a way as to stimulate children's independent cognitive activity.

First of all, the school day is no longer divided into lessons. The rigid scheme, when 45 minutes are allocated to, say, mathematics, the next to the native language, and so on, is replaced by a single learning space.

The teacher has a plan of what he should teach the children. But how exactly he will do this, the teacher chooses himself, arbitrarily combining subjects

Natural history can easily be combined with one's native language or literature. There may also be an emphasis on mathematics and art. Thus, the pressure on the student is reduced. But there is an involvement in the worldview, the development of mental abilities and the ability to think comprehensively.

This practice is already widely used in primary schools today. At the same time, the idea of ​​using it in high schools is being discussed. Actually, in this way, non-violent diversification of students is achieved according to their abilities and capabilities. Not by forced division into strong and mediocre groups, but by creating opportunities when an inquisitive mind itself is able to take as much knowledge as it needs.

A model in which there is no need to apply extra effort to achieve results is not always understandable to those who grew up in a different coordinate system. “God, what a horror!” - this is the typical impression of Russian parents living in Finland from the school. Even outstanding results at the World School Olympics cannot compete with the prevailing worldview.

Anna Dantseva, mother of two children, has lived in Finland for more than 15 years, engineer and top manager of a large Finnish company

In the Soviet Union there was a slogan: “If you can’t, we’ll teach you, if you don’t want to, we’ll force you.” In America it sounds different: “If you can’t, that’s your problem; if you don’t want to, that’s your problem.” And for Finland, the third reading is relevant: “If you can’t, we’ll teach you; if you don’t want to, that’s your problem.” This desire to learn, left to the child himself, is the most difficult thing for adults to accept. To be honest, it is completely incomprehensible to me how my children manage to learn. There is not much homework. But the guys are well versed in school subjects, plus they also find time for sports and foreign languages.

Foreign languages ​​are taught in Finnish schools from the third grade. Each student can choose a language at his own discretion. But for the training to begin, there must be a group of at least 12 people. The most common, as everywhere else, are English, German and French. If the first language chosen is not English, then in the fourth grade it will have to be taught forcibly.

In general, English is not considered such a “foreign” language: Finland ranks 7th in the world in terms of proficiency English language among non-English speaking countries

Many school principals tell parents that English is a second native language. Or even third, because compulsory Swedish language learning begins in sixth grade. Finland is considered a bilingual country, although Swedish is the native language of only 6% of the population.

In eighth grade you can take another language. Here, schoolchildren usually choose Spanish, Russian or Chinese. The Russian language has been gaining popularity in recent years: if previously about 3% of Finns spoke it, now there is a trend towards an increase in the number of schoolchildren studying it.

A native language plus four foreign languages ​​– this is the set with which a Finnish student leaves school

Of course, not everyone will be able to freely talk about literature and philosophy in any of the languages ​​they have learned, but everyone can carry on a conversation on everyday topics.

Anna Dantseva, mother of two children, has lived in Finland for more than 15 years, engineer and top manager of a large Finnish company

It’s mystical to me how they teach it. For me, learning a language is endless drilling, practicing pronunciation, memorizing and repeating vocabulary. Here I don’t see cramming at all. And much less emphasis on grammar. I don’t even see children starting to learn a language from the alphabet. They start with basic things that are close to your life. And in the process it somehow grows lexicon. According to my observations, each subsequent language, at least in the Indo-European group, becomes easier and easier.

To achieve such amazing results, the Finnish method uses the principle of infants learning their native language. After all, it never occurs to any parent to teach their newborn letters or grammar. The child simply immerses himself in a conversational environment and masters spoken language within approximately two years. Finnish teachers do much the same thing, creating an applied context that imparts the necessary skills in an unobtrusive form. Television also contributes to Finland's amazing multilingualism. All programs and films, as a rule, are not duplicated, but are shown in the original languages.

Any global education system does not live in a vacuum. It, first of all, serves the goals of the society in which it exists. The Finnish system is actually quite pragmatic and doesn't spend money on things it doesn't need.

If Soviet pedagogy prepared everyone “for Oxford,” which is still considered a nostalgic ideal in our country, then the Finnish task is to prepare everyone for professional life.

It’s unlikely that anyone has kept count, but no economy needs a large number of “Einsteins”

Moreover, specialists high class- doctors, scientists, lawyers - only a certain number is needed. And cashiers, salespeople, cleaners, plumbers and nurses are in much greater demand even in post-industrial society. Moreover, without these specialties, a civilized society will quickly lose its human appearance.

Society needs diversity to survive. But in order to ensure this diversity, there is no need for universal higher education. But there is a need for a solid intellectual level and competently instilled humanistic values. And also in the opportunities to achieve more if you have the potential and desire. And this is exactly what the Finnish model perfectly provides.

Preschool education

In Finland, children only go to school when they are seven years old. But what happens to them up to this point is no less important. And no, they don't learn to read, write, or solve equations. They build towers with blocks and play in the yard. The Guardian editor found out what principles Finnish preschool education is based on Patrick Butler.

PISA tests evaluate school performance. But work on these results begins long before children enter first grade.

The great thing about early learning in Finland is that it starts late. In Finnish kindergartens the emphasis is not on mathematics, reading or writing, but on creative play.

Children do not receive any formal education until they are seven and attend primary school. This may surprise parents who think education is a competitive race. “We believe that children under seven are not ready for school,” says Tiina Marjoniemi, head of the Franzenia children's center in Helsinki. “They need time to play, run and jump. This is the time to be creative."

The main goal of the first years of education is the health and well-being of every child.

Preschool centers prepare children for school, but not in an academic sense. They are taught to communicate, make friends, respect others, and dress appropriately.

You might think that teachers in Finnish kindergartens are idle: they don’t teach children to read and write, but simply allow them to play as much as they want. Really needs to be done great job to properly organize the game process. “Free play” alternates with games under the guidance of a teacher. The center staff monitors what skills children demonstrate and how they develop. There are 44 employees working with children at the Franzenia kindergarten. IN younger group(up to three years old) - one adult for four children, for older children - for seven.

“At an early stage of development, play needs to engage the child in learning,” says David Whitebread, director of the Center for the Study of Play in Education, Development and Learning at the University of Cambridge. — One day, carried away by a task that he likes, be it role-playing game or assembling a construction set, he will feel motivated to improve. He will want to tackle a more difficult challenge next time.”

In kindergarten, a child wants to build a taller tower, and in school, he wants to write a dictation without mistakes.

While playing, the child has to be attentive and persistent, he learns to make decisions and cope with problems. At four years old, these skills say more about a child's future academic success than reading ability.

In Finland, every child has a legal right to quality early childhood education. At Franzenia, like other kindergartens, there are children from families with different incomes. The maximum fee is 290 € per month, for low-income families it is free. 40% of children under three years old and 75% of children from three to five years old go to preschool centers. 98% of children enter the optional preparatory class at the school. This system was formed in the 70s, initially so that mothers could quickly return to work after the birth of a child. Now the kindergarten has become important element continuing education. “The time children spend in preschool centers concentrating on play and socialization is the most important years“says Jaaakko Salo, special adviser to the Finnish Teachers' Union (OAJ).

The idea of ​​equality is at the core of the Finnish educational system. Finns are convinced that their small country cannot afford inequality or segregation in schools or health care. Finland has one of the lowest child poverty rates in Europe and one of the highest high levels welfare. “The goal is that we should all develop together,” explains Gunilla Holm, professor of education at the University of Helsinki.

The Finnish system strongly opposed the fashionable trends in education adopted in developed countries in the 1980s and 90s. For reasons of equality, school choice, formal examinations (up to age 18) and ability divisions are prohibited. Grammar schools were abolished several decades ago. There is no competition in schools, no rankings, no training for tests. And parents of preschoolers do not have to worry that their child will not be accepted into school because he did not have time to master reading, mathematics and English before the age of seven.

Russian parents very early begin to worry about whether their child will get into a good school and whether he will then get high scores on the Unified State Exam and Unified State Exam in order to enter a good university. In Finland, differences in educational outcomes between individual schools are small, and parents rarely send their children further than the nearest secondary school. Students tend to be less nervous too. The "quality not quantity" approach means that school hours are shorter and Homework easier. Tutors after school are a very rare occurrence. As a result, Finnish children are less tired and enjoy going to school.

Pleasure from the process is the only true motivation for studying.

Since I arrived in the country of a thousand lakes, I constantly hear from local residents that they have the best education in the world. I constantly wanted to ask: “Who decided this?” This statement reminds me a little of the slogan: “Dog food gets tastier and tastier!”…. And who decides this, the dogs themselves, or people trying what it tastes like? So..... Education.

I’ll start with the fact that I work as a teacher, so I don’t just drive a pitchfork through the water and theoretically assume what and how is happening in Finnish schools, but I know the system from the inside. I would like to warn you right away that I absolutely do not impose my opinion on anyone, this is my personal view of things, I am not a social bureau, I do not conduct surveys, I do not compare tables, I do not record research data.

Have you ever heard from friends or grandparents that you should have sent your child to study in Russia, where they would have made him a man. Otherwise, in your Finland they won’t learn anything, they ruined their smart head!!! I heard... what's the reality?

1. I don’t think education in Finland is the best. It's average. However, a huge plus is that it is really close to life. I remember from my school days how I tried to cope with physics and chemistry, although I was an excellent student, but simply abstract formulas were very difficult for a humanities student. In Finland, Dewey's principles are very widely used, learning by doing and playing. Here children not only learn what the density of objects is, but try to understand why a stone, for example, weighs less in water. They don’t stupidly memorize what the speed of a pendulum depends on, but in physics lessons they conduct experiments and write down the results themselves.

2. The program is not supernatural, but when children come from Russia, even though they study, judging by the descriptions of their parents and themselves, from morning to evening, and from evening to morning, the level of knowledge turns out to be the same. This means that something works better here than in Russia, since with less effort it is possible to achieve the same result.

3. From the bad: I judge only by my children, they develop memory poorly. In elementary school, when children absorb everything like a sponge, they can and should be assigned homework to learn poems by heart. Well, really, it’s very good for the further process so that the child remembers everything well.

4. Very diverse teaching staff. And in Russia, of course, this exists, but here there are simply uncontrolled personnel. My daughter had very bad luck in elementary school. The teacher screamed so much that they were afraid to ask her again. As a result, we had to hire an additional teacher on Skype for several subjects, and by the 5th grade we had earned breakdown, ended up in the hospital with terrible headaches, my legs were paralyzed, and for some time after that they were observed by a neurologist. We transferred to another school... There the picture changed to exactly the opposite. The teacher was so unable to cope with the class that instead of teaching the children, she removed them from their desks for half the lesson. And nothing much can be done. If the teacher has “virka”, then he cannot be moved. The union is very strong and in the end everything comes down to your words versus the words of the teacher. Believe me, you will lose this battle (there are teachers with a diagnosis... in one of our schools, in primary school there is a teacher diagnosed with schizophrenia. It’s okay, she rests for a couple of weeks in the fall, rests for a couple in the spring, and the rest of the time she’s in good spirits).

At the same time, there are a huge number of professionals in their field, truly teachers from God, from whom we need to learn how to teach lessons and hold the attention of students.

5. Substitute teacher. Surely your children, if they are in school, told you that they had a substitute today. Do you know that in order to substitute at school you do not need special education. At first I was surprised by the stories that we watched the film, we did nothing, but there was a substitute. Now I know. The task of the substitute teacher is not to teach, but to ensure that everything is physically preserved in its original form... let me spell it out: so that the children do not kill each other. Take a couple of lessons great way part-time jobs for students or those who have just completed 11th grade.

6. From the point of view of a teacher’s work, the complete lack of subordination between teacher and student is very annoying. Moreover, either from an excessive desire to get your attention, or out of stupidity, many try to speak obvious vulgarities, or swear, even in Russian, if they know that you are Russian (and this is hard to hide).

7. However, I like that in Finland everyone has equal chances for the same education. In Russia today the division between elite schools and ordinary schools in working-class areas is too obvious. There is money, there is good teachers, opportunities, textbooks. No, well, no, and there is no trial. In Finland, everyone can rise to the level of education they want... All you need is a little effort. Entering a university is usually not a big deal... You don't need money, money or connections to do it. All you need is a little preparation.

8. Finns are very proud that their country offers opportunities for lifelong learning. You can get a hundred professions. If you didn’t come alone, go retrain. Students of different ages sit at desks and this is the norm. I can only from my experience of studying in higher education educational institutions to say that everything is more relaxed. For us, after studying in Russia (by the way, I still have nightmares at night that there’s an exam tomorrow), it’s very difficult to understand how it’s possible to study like that.

9. Finnish education is very adapted. If a child falls behind, he is not sent to a special school; they exist, but they are few; basically they try to structure the process so that everyone learns together. And if someone does not understand something in one subject, special teachers teach him exactly these subjects using simplified books. The rest of the time he is in class.

10. By the way, another interesting find of the Finnish school, the prison system. If you were guilty, spoke rudely to the teacher, or disturbed others in class, you receive a penalty hour, or time in prison. For young people, an hour of their life is a lot, so this is a serious punishment. From a pedagogical point of view, I don’t really understand why you have to sit silently for an hour and do nothing. It would be more productive to give additional tasks, for example, it would be possible to sit for the benefit of the head)))) No, they just sit......

11. School psychologists work very well. Most often, each school has its own full-time psychologist. If the child has done something wrong, they have a conversation with him. Each specific case is usually dealt with there. Next, your child will be asked to tell their parents at home about what happened (by the way, this part is often the most difficult for a teenager). And then the teacher will call and clarify that you are aware, and that the situation will also be discussed at home.

Let me sum it up. I think Finnish education is far from the best in the world. But it is one of the closest to real life. Children here study without stress, they have a lot of free time after school, which can be spent on various sections or just chatting with friends, while whoever wants to, learns and knows. You definitely can’t call Finnish teenagers idiots. Well-developed, cheerful guys. It’s not always easy with them, but it’s definitely always exciting and interesting.

With love from Finland,
Alina Suomalainen