WELCOME TO THE INFORMATION EVENING ABOUT ENGLISH CLASSES

1. WELCOME TO THE INFORMATION EVENING ABOUT ENGLISH CLASSES

2. Tonight’s Schedule • English Classes, enrolment, language testing, etc. • Jasmin Isomäki and Albertina Amoah, students from class 6B • Pia Mikkola, Principal of Finnish International School of Tampere • Kaisa Kokkonen, Vice Principal of Finnish International School of Tampere

3. EDUCATION IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES, TAMPERE • The goal for language skills at the end of comprehensive education is a level close to the first language level (functional bilingualism). Schools offering FL Education: • English: Finnish International School of Tampere 1-9 • Tammela 1 – 6 > Fista / Tammerkoski-Klassillinen ? 7-9 • German: Tammela 1-6 >Sampo 1 – 9? • French: Aleksanteri 0 – 6 > Pyynikki 7 - 9

4. CLASSES BEGINNING IN AUGUST 2013 • In accordance with the service agreement between municipal buyer and producer, students will be admitted on the basis of performance in language tests. This number includes enrolled students immigrating from abroad. • > Finnish International School of Tampere: 1- 3 CLASSES (20-72 students) • > Tammela: 1 CLASS (20-24 students)

5. Enrolment Tampere residents born in 2006 Application for FISTA occurs through the standard school application process. Enrolment until January 22nd of 2013 (instructions will be sent to your home address, English version → school web site)

6. Residents of other towns and communities • Applicants who are not Tampere residents need to fill in a separate application form (can be found in the school web site)

7. Underage students • Children born in 2007 • The student must be approved by a certified psychologist. The Parents are responsible for having their child tested outside the public system. It is recommend that the psychologist be provided a statement (evaluation) from the child´s preschool. • The principal decides on admission based on the psychologist´s statement, child´s performance in language test and an optional statement from the child´s preschool. • Beginning school underage is not recommended • Finnish first-grade education is aimed for the maturity level at 7 year-old • Finnish preschool programs include many features of primary education curricula • The school psychologist will answer further enquiries.

8. STUDENTS at ENGLISH CLASSES FINNFinnisISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF TAMPERE FOREIGN FAMILIES LIVING TEMPORARILY IN FINLAND (Fista) FINNISH FAMILIES RETURNING TO FINLAND ENGLISH LANGUAGE IMMIGRANTS FOR PERMANENT STAY IN FINLAND FINNISH CHILDREN Able to speak English

9. ENGLISH CLASSES • Teaching philosophies are similar to the general guidelines used in throughoutTampere. However there are two major differences: • Language is the focus in learning and teaching: • Foreign language is taught as a subject from first grade. Language studies begin earlier and last longer which is reflected in the aims, curriculum, and assessment also in grades 3-9. • Language as a medium to learn: • The English language is used as a medium to achieve the goals set in all subjects. English is used in all classes excluding mother tongue (Finnish) lessons. Details are specified in the school curriculum.

10. Percentage of English language used in Tammela School • The percentage of English used in the classroom varies in each particular subject and grade level. Students will encounter at least 25% of their classes to be taught in the English language at each grade level. The school curriculum specifies which lessons will be taught in English and which will be taught in the mother tongue (Finnish). • The following lessons are mandated by the Finnish government to be taught in the Finnish language: • mother tongue • Finnish geography and biology • Finnish history • Social Studies

11. The main concepts will also be taught in Finnish in order to ensure that the child is able to continue their studies in both languages. Students must be able to thoroughly understand each subject both in English and Finnish. School’s curriculum in Finnish as a mother tongue has the same goals as standard Finnish schools. After nine years of comprehensive schooling, students should have acquired knowledge in all subjects which is comparable to students attending standard schools. There is an equal opportunity to move on to secondary schooling.

12. Finnish International School of Tampere (Fista) • Strategic goals: new pedagogigal models, working methods, team teaching, using IT in learning and teaching, multicultural and pluralistic working culture • An increased number of teaching methods for how to teach English • More subjects will be taught in English • Cross-curricular themes: e.g. Common good, Sustainable development and Multiculturalism Future learning in a multicultural society.

13. Finnish International School of Tampere (Fista) • 3 starting classes • Up to 750 students • Schedule: Transition class: Autumn 2011 Autumn 2012 classes 1, 3, 5 Autumn 2013 classes 2, 4, 6, 7 Autumn 2014 classes 0, 8 Autumn 2015 classes 9 • Renovation 2014-2017?

14. Fista • More English – less Finnish • Hard work – good motivation • Commitment by the Family and supporting the child • Studying in a multicultural environment • After the renovation, there will be increased opportunities to use IT in learning • The entire working culture will be in the English language

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16. It is vital that the school is informed in advance about any possible learning difficulties or other problems. Study in English classes is more demanding than in Finnish classes so if the child has any learning difficulties, it will probably be too hard for the child. If the child has a risk for reading disability, learning to read simultaneously in Finnish and English is really hard, and will significantly slow down the child´s progress at school.

17. Additional information • Language testing will take place in week 6. • > A letter will be sent home informing the time and date. • Tammela school tests English language skills • Finnish International School of Tampere tests both English language and other linguistic skills

18. To get into Tammela School English Class the child has to score more than 40% of the test points. The students are selected in order on the basis of how many points were scored on the entrance examination. Obtaining the minimum amount of points does not necessarily mean that the child will be accepted. • To get into the Finnish International School of Tampere the child has to score more than 60% of the test points. The students are selected in order on the basis of how many points were scored on the entrance examination. Obtaining the minimum amount of points does not necessarily mean that the child will be accepted.

19. Remember: the test is always an exciting and stressful situation and the teachers giving the test are unfamiliar to the children • You don’t have to prepare your child for the test • Notification of acceptance or refusal will be sent by letter to home address. • Orientation will take place in April 2013.

20. Open Day • In First Grade classes on Thursday, January 17th 2013 at 9am to 1pm • In First Grade classes on Thursday, January 17th 2013 at 9am to 1pm

21. Further inquiries • Pia MikkolaPrincipalphone 050-4682922email pia.mikkola@tampere.fi koulut.tampere.fi/fista