The strengths of Finnish upper secondary education

1. The strengths of Finnish upper secondary education

2. The strengths of Finnish upper secondary education • the teaching profession is still appreciated in Finland

3. The strengths of Finnish upper secondary education • the teaching profession is still appreciated in Finland • teachers are fully qualified everywhere in the country facilitating educational equality

4. The strengths of Finnish upper secondary education • textbooks used are tailored for Finnish students

5. The strengths of Finnish upper secondary education • textbooks used are tailored for Finnish students • the value of homework is recognised

6. The strengths of Finnish upper secondary education • textbooks used are tailored for Finnish students • the value of homework is recognised • nutritious FREE school meals keep everybody alert even in the afternoon

7. The strengths of Finnish upper secondary education • well-equipped schools enable unabated personal progress

8. The strengths of Finnish upper secondary education • well-equipped schools enable unabated personal progress • the relationship between students and teachers is informal (teachers are mostly called by their first names)

9. The strengths of Finnish upper secondary education • students and teachers see themselves as being in the same boat with shared goals, not as belonging to different camps

10. The strengths of Finnish upper secondary education • teaching methods are progressive encouraging pair work and independent study

11. The strengths of Finnish upper secondary education • teaching methods are progressive encouraging pair work and independent study • students get a good all-round education to qualify for universities or further vocational training

12. The strengths of Finnish upper secondary education • schools and public libraries co-operate with each other

13. The strengths of Finnish upper secondary education • schools and public libraries co-operate with each other • certain schools specialise in music, sports, the arts, science etc.

14. The strengths of Finnish upper secondary education • co-operation between universities , polytechnics and senior high schools

15. The strengths of Finnish upper secondary education • co-operation between universities , polytechnics and senior high schools • the school syllabus also includes a local dimension

16. The strengths of Finnish upper secondary education • career counseling facilitates career choices with confidence

17. The strengths of Finnish upper secondary education • career counseling facilitates career choices with confidence • tuition is FREE; the student only pays for the text books and any special equipment needed

18. The strengths of Finnish upper secondary education • the possibility to graduate with a combination of senior high school and vocational education

19. The strengths of Finnish upper secondary education • the possibility to graduate with a combination of senior high school and vocational education • being a small nation, Finland can never compete with quantity, only with QUALITY

20. Issues to be addressed

21. Issues to be addressed • planning one’s studies requires a lot of responsibility and autonomy

22. Issues to be addressed • planning one’s studies requires a lot of responsibility and autonomy • theoretically oriented syllabus is a challenge for the more practically minded student

23. Issues to be addressed • the number of students with learning disabilities is rising

24. Issues to be addressed • the number of students with learning disabilities is rising • communal spirit within schools needs a boost

25. Issues to be addressed • the number of students with learning disabilities is rising • communal spirit within schools needs a boost • courage to try experimental teaching methods needed

26. The Finnish High school system in a nutshell

27. The Finnish High school system in a nutshell • students are 16 – 18 years old

28. The Finnish High school system in a nutshell • students are 16 – 18 years old • most students graduate in three years; some need an additional one

29. The Finnish High school system in a nutshell • students are 16 – 18 years old • most students graduate in three years; some need an additional one • the school year is divided into 5 modules

30. The Finnish High school system in a nutshell • a module lasts six weeks and is followed by an exam week

31. The Finnish High school system in a nutshell • a module lasts six weeks and is followed by an exam week • studies in all subjects are organised into six-week-long courses

32. The Finnish High school system in a nutshell • a module lasts six weeks and is followed by an exam week • studies in all subjects are organised into six-week-long courses • graduation requires 75 completed course credits

33. The Finnish High school system in a nutshell • a student takes 4-6 courses in each module

34. The Finnish High school system in a nutshell • a student takes 4-6 courses in each module • each course comprises three 75-minute lessons per week

35. The Finnish High school system in a nutshell • all lessons last 75 minutes followed by a 15-minute break (30 minutes for lunch)

36. The Finnish High school system in a nutshell • all lessons last 75 minutes followed by a 15-minute break (30 minutes for lunch) • detailed course plans enable students to prepare for each lesson in advance

37. The Finnish High school system in a nutshell • Courses can be:

38. The Finnish High school system in a nutshell • Courses can be: • compulsory and nationwide (about 45 out of 75)

39. The Finnish High school system in a nutshell • Courses can be: • compulsory and nationwide (about 45 out of 75) • optional and nationwide

40. The Finnish High school system in a nutshell • Courses can be: • compulsory and nationwide (about 45 out of 75) • optional and nationwide • optional and schoolwide

41. The Finnish High school system in a nutshell • Courses can be: • compulsory and nationwide (about 45 out of 75) • optional and nationwide • optional and schoolwide • optional, schoolwide and applied or specialised

42. The Finnish High school system in a nutshell • no classes during the exam week (6 days) except for a preparatory lesson for each exam

43. The Finnish High school system in a nutshell • no classes during the exam week (6 days) except for a preparatory lesson for each exam • autonomous study is also encouraged; attendance is required for regular courses

44. The Finnish High school system in a nutshell • in the spring of the third year students take part in matriculation examinations (nationwide exams) in at least four subjects

45. The Finnish High school system in a nutshell • most students continue their studies in universities, polytechnics or vocational schools

46. Percentage of students borrowing books from public libraries every month

47. What makes us so good?

48. What makes us so good? • Interest in reading among students is notable and they read willingly

49. What makes us so good? • Interest in reading among students is notable and they read willingly • The reading activity of Finnish young people is supported in many ways:

50. What makes us so good? • local libraries in many towns collaborate with schools