Learning languages in basic education

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Education and trainingPupils

In Vantaa, students take English as their A1 language (starting from the 1st grade) and Swedish as their B1 language (starting from the 6th grade). The guardians and their child can choose together which additional, free-choice languages the student wants to learn in comprehensive school.

There are books in Swedish on the table.

The A2 language choice should be made in the third grade

The studies of the free-choice A2 language will start in the fourth grade and continue through the rest of the basic education. In Vantaa, students can choose one of the following for their voluntary A2 language: 

  • Spanish 
  • French 
  • Swedish 
  • German or
  • Russian.

Studying the voluntary A2 language will continue till the end of the 9th grade. You can only terminate your language studies for a justified reason, for example health-related issues or the change of school. At the end of comprehensive school in 9th grade the guardians have the option of choosing to have a Pass mark instead of a number grade on the final report card for the elective A2-language.

Studying languages is an investment into the future

Learning foreign language is always rewarding and useful in the future. To start studying a new language in grades 1-6 provides good language skills and time to internalize a new language. A new language opens up totally new perspectives and possibilities for the learner. Language skills are appreciated also in the future for example in studies after compulsory school and in job search. Learning a new language and coping in an unfamiliar environment are also rewarding.

Before choosing the optional A2 language, the child’s experiences with learning foreign language should be taken into account. The student's interest in language studies is an important starting point. Read more about choosing A2 language from "Things to consider when choosing the A2 language".

Choosing an A2 language

The selection of starting the studies of a new A2-level language is made in Wilma by January 24, 2022. The enrolment form is in Wilma, in the Applications and decisions tab, under New application > A2 language. 

You can also print the enrolment form and return it to your class teacher by the deadline.

Things to consider when choosing the A2 language

Studying the voluntary A2 language will continue till the end of the 9th grade. You can only terminate your language studies for a justified reason, for example health-related issues or the change of school. At the end of comprehensive school in 9th grade the guardians have the option of choosing to have a Pass mark instead of a number grade on the final report card for the elective A2-language.

That´s why before choosing the language, you are recommended to take account for the experiences the child has in studying a foreign language. It is important to consider the choice of voluntary language from the perspective of the student’s interest and coping. The choice should be pleasant for the child. The A2 language selection can be discussed with the student’s English teacher.

Adding the A2 language in the curriculum increases student´s number of weekly lessons by two lessons in grades 4, 5 and 6. Studying an optional A2 language during grades 7–9 is included in the lessons reserved for elective subjects.

At the end of comprehensive school in 9th grade the guardians have the option of choosing to have a Pass mark instead of a number grade on the final report card for the elective A2 language.

Impact of Spanish, French, German and Russian as voluntary A2 language on optional subjects in grades 7-9

Studying an optional A2 language during grades 7–9 is included in the lessons reserved for elective subjects. This means that students with an optional A2 language do not have other elective subjects in the 7th grade. In grades 8 and 9, the optional A2 language will be automatically counted as the student’s long optional subject (two annual weekly lessons per school year). This means that the student will have one annual weekly lesson available for other free-choice subjects per school year. 

The optional A2 language does not impact the number of optional artistic and practical subjects. In the 8th grade, the students can choose a two-year artistic and practical subject and a short optional subject. In the 9th grade, they can also choose a short artistic and practical subject in addition to the above. Thus, the students will have plenty of optional subject to choose from besides their language selection. 

Impact of A2 Swedish as voluntary language on studies in grades 7-9

All students will begin to study the B1 language (Swedish) in the 6th grade. If Swedish is a student's voluntary A2 language, its instruction will continue as usual in grades 6-9. The number of weekly lessons per year reserved for B1 language (Swedish) will be used in arranging voluntary A2 Swedish. In grade 8, one A2 Swedish lesson will be taken from the quota of a short optional subject. Thus, the students can freely choose a two-year artistic and practical subject as well as a long optional subject.

How will the A2 language study group be formed?

A study group will be set up for optional A2 language if at least ten students choose the same language. Different schools in a same area can establish a language group together, if this helps meet the student limit. The schools must then agree in which facilities the group will study.

Principals will notify homes regarding new, starting A2 language groups.

Information on school travel and school transportation can be read here: School travel and school transportation | Vantaa

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Primary schoolsMultilingualismLearning