welcome to the information evening about english classes

WELCOME TO THE INFORMATION

EVENING ABOUT ENGLISH CLASSES

Tonight’s Schedule

• FISTA, enrollment, language testing, etc.

- Tuuli Marttila and Karri Koskiranta, Students of Finnish International School of Tampere

- Miika Katajamäki, Coordinator, Finnish International School of Tampere

- Pia Mikkola, Principal of Finnish International School of Tampere

Finnish International School of Tampere (Fista)

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

Fista

• More English – less Finnish

Studying in a multicultural environmentAfter the renovation, increased opportunities to

use IT in learningThe entire working culture will be English

• Hard work – good motivation

• Commitment by the family and support to

the child

TIME ALLOCATION PLAN FOR LOWER COMPREHENSIVE LEVEL

ENGLISH CLASSES

SUBJECTS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Total

Finnish language 6 6 5 5 4 5 31English language A1 3 3 3 3 3 3 18Mathematics 3 3 4 4 4 4 22Environmental Studies 2 2 2 3 9Biology and Geography 2 1 3Physics and Chemistry 1 1 2Religion or Ethics 1 1 2 1 1 2 8History 2 1 3Music 1 1 1 1 2 2 8Art 1 1 3 3 3 3 14Craft 2 2 2 2 2 2 12Physical Education 2 2 2 2 2 2 12

Pupil's total number of lessons 21 21 24 24 26 26 142

French/German/Spanish A2 (2) (2) (2) (2) (8)Pupil's total number of lessons (21) (21) (26) (26) (28) (28) (150)

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 7–9

• German:Tammela 1–6 Sampo 1–9

• French: Aleksanteri 0–6 Pyynikki 7–9

CLASSES BEGINNING IN AUGUST 2014

• 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)

Enrollment

Tampere residents born in 2007

•Application for FISTA happens through the standard school application process. •Enrollment until January 22nd of 2014 (instructions will be sent to your home address)

Residents of other towns and communities• Applicants who are not Tampere residents need to fill in

a separate application form (can be found on the school’s web site)

Underage students• Children born in 2008

• The student must be approved by a certified psychologist. The parents are responsible for having the child tested outside the public system. It is recommended that the psychologist is 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 of

a 7-year-old– Finnish preschool programs include many features of primary

education curricula

• The school psychologist will answer further enquiries.

STUDENTSin

ENGLISH CLASSES

FOREIGN FAMILIESLIVING TEMPORARILY

IN FINLAND (Fista)

FINNISH FAMILIESRETURNING TO

FINLAND

IMMIGRANTS FORPERMANENT STAY

IN FINLAND

FINNISH CHILDRENAble to speak English

ENGLISH LANGUAGE

FINNISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF TAMPERE

ENGLISH CLASSES

• Teaching philosophies are similar to the general guidelines used throughout Tampere. 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.

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

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.

Additional information

• Language testing will take place in week 6 February 4th . Reserve day in week 7.– 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

– 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.

– 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 via mail to home address.

•Orientation will take place in April 2014.

Open Day

• In first grade classes on Tuesday, January 14th at 9am to 1pm

Further inquiries

• Pia MikkolaPrincipalphone 050-4682922email pia.mikkola@tampere.fi

koulut.tampere.fi/fista