The City of Oulu offers preparatory instruction for immigrant children who do not attend Oulu International School. The preparatory classes are located in Kaakkuri School, Kaukovainio School, Koskela School, Myllyoja School and Paulaharju School for grades one to six and in Kastelli School, Merikoski School, Rajakylä School and Terva-Toppila School for grades seven to nine.

The primary aim of preparatory instruction is for children to be able to communicate and function in Finnish, so that they can then gradually integrate into the Finnish classroom. During the process, pupils become familiar with Finnish vocabulary and basic terms and also get acquainted with Finnish culture, the Finnish environment and everyday life. Full integration is usually attained within a school year, after which pupils continue their studies in a regular Finnish class.

Studies after preparatory instruction

Further support is provided for pupils in teaching them Finnish as a second language as well as their mother tongue, in their religious studies and in remedial teaching. Other school subjects are studied according to the Finnish core curriculum.

These services are available in the schools mentioned above, so pupils are advised to continue their studies in the school in which they received their preparatory instruction. However, they also have an opportunity to continue their education in the nearest school to their home.

Teaching students’ mother tongue

The schools mentioned above teach immigrant children their mother tongue for two hours a week, provided that there are at least four pupils studying the same language. In 2011–2012 such instruction will be given in Arabic, Chinese, Dari, English, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese.

For further information, please contact the Coordinator of Migrants´Education, Mr. Raimo Salo, tel. + 358 44 703 9689, raimo.salo(at)ouka.fi

Read more about immigrant education in Finland at The Finnish National Board of Education’s website.