Bilingual education

The aim of bilingual education is to give a pupil fluent language skills in both languages used in the classroom. Studying in two languages develops the child’s problem-solving skills, creative thinking and adaptability. The goals and content of teaching in bilingual education are the same as in regular basic education.

What is bilingual education like?

Helsinki offers bilingual education in Chinese, English, Estonian, Russian and Spanish. In addition to these, Pasila Comprehensive School offers bilingual Finnish-North Sami education.

In bilingual education, the languages of instruction are Finnish and a second language (Chinese, English, Estonian, North Sami, Russian or Spanish). In bilingual education, 25 – 50 % of the teaching is in the target language, and the rest is in Finnish. Each school specifies the amount of the second language instruction in its curriculum.

Bilingual education helps pupils develop a fluency in listening to, speaking, reading and writing an additional language, and creates a general interest towards language learning. Like all basic education, it develops grade-appropriate skills in all subjects of the curriculum.

How to apply to bilingual education?

Learn more about the admission periods, entry requirements and admissions policies on the Admissions to basic education in different languages page.

Parents or guardians do not need to know the languages of instruction of bilingual education.

Which schools offer bilingual education in Helsinki?

Bilingual education is offered in the schools below. Learn more about the bilingual basic education classes on the schools’ websites, which you can find via the Service Map links.

Finnish-Chinese 

Grades 1–6

• Meilahti Primary School

Grades 7–9: 

• Meilahti Lower Secondary School

Finnish-English 

Grades 1–6

• Kulosaari Primary School
  
• Töölö Primary School
  
• Malmi Comprehensive School. Programme started in 2018. Available in grades 1–5 in the school year 2022–23.
  
• Vesala Comprehensive School. Programme started in 2020. Available in grades 1–3 in the school year 2022–23.
  
• Laajasalo Comprehensive School. Programme started in 2019. Available in grades 1–4 in the school year 2022–23.

Grades 7–9

• Malmi Comprehensive School. Programme starting in August 2023. Available in grade 7 in the school year 2023–2024.
  
• Vesala Comprehensive School. Programme starting in August 2023. Available in grade 7 in the school year 2023–2024.
  
• Laajasalo Comprehensive School. Programme starting in August 2023. Available in grade 7 in the school year 2023–2024.
• Helsingin Uusi Yhteiskoulu Secondary School
  
• Kulosaari Secondary School
  
• Töölö Secondary School

Finnish-Estonian

Grades 1–9

• Latokartano Comprehensive School

Finnish-North Sami

Grades 1–5

• Pasila Comprehensive School  Programme started in 2018. Available in grades 1–5 in the school year 2022–23.

Finnish-Russian

Grades 1–9

• Myllypuro Comprehensive School

Finnish-Spanish

Grades 1–9

• Käpylä Comprehensive School

For further information and enquiries, please contact:

English-language and Bilingual services

Email: eduguidance@hel.fi

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18.10.2022 11:01