What is the teaching style in Finland?

Education has a strong focus on individualized learning and support. Finland has a class teacher system in which one teacher teaches most if not all subjects in grades 1 through 6. The teachers often are assigned to the same class for several years.

What teaching method is used in Finland?

Different Teaching Methods in Finland

Learning in Finnish universities generally revolves around lectures and seminars. However, within those lectures and seminars, teachers employ several instructive strategies to educate students in a practical manner that is useful not only academically but also for working life.

What is the education pattern in Finland?

The Finnish education system

Compulsory education applies to all 6–18-year-olds. It includes pre-primary, primary, lower secondary and upper secondary education. After 9 years basic education there is general upper secondary or vocational upper secondary education and training.

What is Finnish model of learning?

The main objective of Finnish education policy is to offer all citizens equal opportunities to receive an education. The structure of the education system reflects these principles. The system is highly permeable, that is, there are no dead-ends preventing progression to higher levels of education.

What are the teaching standards in Finland?

Finnish teachers must hold a master's degree in education, or in their specific field. Teacher education does not only consist of academic studies but also involves pedagogical studies and guided teaching practice. The content of teacher education develops constantly.

Why Finland's schools outperform most others across the developed world | 7.30

How is Finnish education different?

From there, children are required to be in school through the age of 18. Finland embraces experimental teaching styles. There is very little to no homework and no national standardized testing. Finland's model of education focuses on the importance of play and joy in education.

What is different about teachers in Finland?

Teachers consult with colleagues

In Finland the teachers are not constantly evaluated based on how well the class is doing, rather they are trusted to do the job well without too many restrictions. That allows teachers to merge classes if necessary to let the students experience different methods of teaching.

How good is the Finnish education system?

Finland has been called the best country for higher education for many years. Universities in Finland are highly respected, and a degree from a Finnish university can certainly open many doors for a student. Higher education in Finland is also less costly than in many other countries, like Canada and Australia.

What is the curriculum structure of Finland?

In Finland, the national core curriculum is a framework around which local curricula are designed. The national core curriculum contains the objectives and core contents of teaching for all school subjects, and also describes the mission, values, and structure of education.

Why is the Finnish school system better?

Teachers in Finland spend fewer hours at school each day and spend less time in classrooms than American teachers. Teachers use the extra time to build curriculums and assess their students. Children spend far more time playing outside, even in the depths of winter. Homework is minimal.

How long is a school day in Finland?

Typically, the Finnish school day starts anywhere from 9 to 9:45 a.m., and students typically spend only about five hours a day in the classroom. What's more, Finnish students typically have little to no homework.

Do Finnish schools have homework?

The truth is that there is nearly no homework in the country with one of the top education systems in the world. Finnish people believe that besides homework, there are many more things that can improve child's performance in school, such as having dinner with their families, exercising or getting a good night's sleep.

What is the teacher quality in Finland?

In Finland, the work of teachers is not measured using standardized test outcomes or universal appraisal procedures. Rather, the assessment of teachers is focused on professional development at the individual level.

What is true about teachers in Finland?

Students in Finland often have the same teacher for up to six years of their education. During this time, the teacher can take on the role of a mentor or even a family member. During those years, mutual trust and bonding are built so that both parties know and respect each other.

How many hours do teachers teach in Finland?

And yes, teachers in Finland also have good working conditions in schools and a moderate teaching load by international standards. According to the recent Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) by the OECD, middle school teachers in Finland teach, on average, 21 hours and work 32 hours a week.

How is maths taught in Finland?

Typical mathematics lessons in Finland include teacher's instruction and students' own working in different forms and mathematics textbooks play an important role in teaching (e.g. Törnroos 2004). Also the term “pedagogical conservatism” has been mentioned in this connection (cf. Simola 2005).

What are school hours in Finland?

Usually, school starts at 8:15 a.m. and ends at 2:45 p.m., with an hour for lunch and 15 minutes between each class, so students have plenty of time to relax between classes!

Does Finland use technology in education?

Finland enjoys one of the most advanced and expansive applications of digital technology in education, starting from the first grade of primary school throughout the education system, and consisting of formal as well as extracurricular learning through technology.

What are the disadvantages of Finland education system?

Its ability to support high-achieving students, however, is poor. Pentti, a teacher, says that the Finnish system cannot yet “adequately take care of those students who are gifted in a certain subject.” This issue has partially been addressed by allowing students who do well in maths to focus more on maths.

Does Finland have a no homework policy?

Finnish teachers have the liberty to determine the need for homework individually. Required subjects are most often covered during the school day which reduces the need for homework. Homework is seen more as a recap of what has been learned in the class but it is not supposed to take a hours of time at home.

What age do kids start school in Finland?

- Almost all children aged 6 participate in pre-primary education in Finland. Compulsory school starts at age 7. - All teachers of pre-primary education who enter the profession have a Bachelor's degree in Finland, as in most other OECD countries.

How are teachers viewed in Finland?

Teachers are respected. Their autonomy is paired with great responsibility. They, and society, know that the future of children lies in their hands.

Is it hard to be a teacher in Finland?

In Finland, teachers are required to have a master's degree, including pedagogical studies and teaching practice. Teacher education is research-based. Added to wide expertise in learning and teaching, teacher qualification includes social, ethical and moral competence.

Why are teachers respected in Finland?

Prospective teachers undergo rigorous preparation and, once certified, are given exceptional decision-making authority over things like curriculum and assessment. Finnish teachers command the same level of trust and autonomy that professionals in other fields do, such as medicine or law.

How is Finland education compared to the UK?

In comparison to the UK education system the Finnish system is not test heavy. Children are not taught to memorise pieces of information and at no stage will children sit formal or national exams. 'What you learn without joy, you forget without grief' is an old Finnish saying.