Cookie preferences

HundrED uses cookies to enhance user experiences, to personalise content, and analyse our web traffic. By clicking "Accept all" you agree to the use of all cookies, including marketing cookies that may help us deliver personalised marketing content to users. By selecting "Accept necessary" only essential cookies, such as those needed for basic functionality and internal analytics, will be enabled.
For more details, please review our Cookie Policy.
Accept all
Accept necessary
search
clear

Early language learning

In Helsinki, language learning begins in the 1st grade, and the first steps are already made in early childhood education and care

Helsinki's new language programme was launched in August 2018: all 1st-graders will start a new language as they begin school. In Helsinki, the alternatives for the first new language are English, Spanish, French, Swedish, German, Northern Sami, Russian, Estonian or Chinese. Before starting school, children learn about languages in early childhood education and care and pre-primary education through play, songs, games and other activities.

City of Helsinki
play_arrow

Overview

HundrED has selected this innovation to

City of Helsinki

2018

Established

100K

Children

1

Countries
Updated
October 2019
Helsinki was the first city in Finland to begin teaching foreign languages from the first grade onwards.

About the innovation

What is Early language learning

Helsinki's goal is to improve its residents' language skills. Thanks to their strong language skills, the people of Helsinki will be able to cooperate in their international home city and around the world in a range of languages. Helsinki is trying to achieve this by starting language studies even earlier than before in order to make use of children's natural ability to learn and speak new languages. Language studies also teach children thinking and learning skills and tenacity.

In every case, language teaching takes into account the learner's age; to begin with, languages are taught through play, songs, games and activities. Language teaching is inspiring and requires participation. For example, pupils can select what subjects the language lessons cover. Assessment is there to support the pupil's learning, and is encouraging in nature. Appropriate use is made of digital tools to aid learning. Early language learning emphasises oral skills, practising pronunciation and intonation, and the joy of learning something new.

Impact & scalability

Spread of the innovation

loading map...