Nuorten suunta

The literacy training phase is part of the introductory phase to basic education for adults. In this phase, you study reading and writing. The literacy training phase is intended for students who do not have writing skills, who have poor reading and writing skills, or who are unfamiliar with the Finnish alphabet.

Courses of the literacy training phase:

• Finnish 16 courses
• Mathematics, 3 courses
• Social studies and cultural competence, 2 courses
• Environment and nature studies, 1 course
• Guidance counselling and working life competence, 2 courses 

The introductory phase is intended for young people who have not received a comprehensive education certificate in their country of origin or in Finland and have clear gaps in knowledge and skills taught in grades three to six. The introductory phase includes a literacy training phase and courses of various levels for those who can already read and write. The introductory phase lasts one to two years depending on the student’s skills.

Compulsory courses of the introductory phase:

• Finnish, 17 courses
• English, 4 courses
• Mathematics, 5 courses
• Social studies and cultural competence, 3 courses
• Environment and nature studies, 2 courses
• Guidance counselling and working life competence, 2 courses

The preparatory studies for the final phase of basic education for adults are intended for young people who do not yet have sufficient Finnish skills for the final phase studies (the required level is at least A1.3 but below A2.2) but have knowledge and skills corresponding to those taught in grades three to six. The goal is that students achieve level A2.2 in Finnish skills during the final phase studies. The preparatory studies for the final phase last a year.

Courses of the final phase:

• Introductory phase Finnish courses
• Introductory phase humanities and natural sciences (social studies and cultural competence, and environment and nature studies)
• Final phase Finnish support courses
• Final phase mathematics courses
• Final phase English courses
• Final phase optional studies
• Guidance counselling and working life competence

In the final phase, you study knowledge and skills taught in grades seven to nine. The goal is to complete the basic education syllabus for adults and receive a comprehensive education certificate.

Your Finnish language skills level must be A2.2 or higher to enter these studies.

When you start your studies, a personal study plan will be created for you, which takes your previous studies into account. Altogether, the final phase studies take two years. If you have already completed similar studies before, the time will be shorter.

In Nuorten suunta, you can complete final phase studies in different groups, which pay attention to any challenges you may have in Finnish language skills, management of everyday life, or social situations.

The final phase includes the following subjects:

• Finnish (if your native language is not Finnish, you will study Finnish as a second language, S2 as we call it)
• Other languages: English, Swedish
• Mathematics
• Biology
• Geography
• Physics
• Chemistry
• History
• Social studies
• Ethics
• Health education
• Optional studies

Students who are of compulsory education age and have a comprehensive education certificate but do not have the Finnish language skills required for studies following comprehensive education (i.e. language skills level 0 – below A2.2), can complete compulsory education level studies by taking a Finnish course in Nuorten suunta. 

In the Nuorten suunta Finnish course, you will study:

• Finnish
• English
• Mathematics
• Social studies and cultural competence
• Guidance counselling and working life competence
• Physical education
• Visual arts