1. WELCOME
FISTA English classes / Pia Mikkola 1 1

2. Information evening about English classes
FISTA English classes / Pia Mikkola 2

3. Tonight’s schedule
FISTA, enrollment, language test, general information
Ulla Hiltunen, Principal, Finnish International School of Tampere
Riikka Gummerus, Coordinator, Finnish International School of Tampere
Pia Mikkola, Service Manager, City of Tampere Early Childhood Education and Basic Education
FISTA English classes / Pia Mikkola 3

4. ENGLISH LANGUAGE STUDENTS in FISTA FOREIGN FAMILIES LIVING TEMPORARILY
FINNISH 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

5. FINNISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF TAMPERE (FISTA)
FISTA English classes / Pia Mikkola 5

6. FISTA
Finnish education in English, we follow the Finnish national curriculum
Working culture is English, but some teaching is also done in Finnish
FISTA is a part of the Finnish society
Studying in a multicultural environment
Increased opportunities to use IT in learning
FISTA English classes / Pia Mikkola 6

7. FISTA Grades 1-9 1-4 first grade classes yearly
Max number of students is 750
Renovation completed in autumn 2017
Two lines: bilingual line = kaksikielinen linja and international line = kansainvälinen linja
Selecting the line after second and sixth grade
FISTA English classes / Pia Mikkola 7

8. time allocation plan is the same
International line = kansainvälinen linja
All subjects except Finnish as a mother tongue and Finnish as a second language are taught in English
Some vocabulary in other subjects (geography, biology, history) in Finnish
Bilingual line = kaksikielinen linja
Finnish as a mother tongue and Finnish as a second language are taught in Finnish
In English: history, biology, geography (Finland-related topics in Finnish), English, optional languages, skills and arts
other subjects in Finnish
FISTA English classes / Pia Mikkola 8

9. Basic education time allocation plan
FISTA English classes / Pia Mikkola 9

10. FINNISH LANGUAGE IN FISTA
3 to 6 lessons a week of Finnish as a mother tongue or Finnish as a second language. The culture of the school does not support Finnish studies
National curriculum: acquiring everyday language skills usually takes 1 to 2 years and in-depth skills approx. 5 to 7 years in Finnish-medium schools, even longer here
Multilingual families need to think about whether the child benefits from studying in English education or whether insufficient command of Finnish hampers enrollment in further studies. There are very limited options for further education in English language.
FISTA English classes / Pia Mikkola 10

11. IMPORTANT Hard work – good motivation
Studying 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
It is vitally important that the school is informed in advance about any possible learning difficulties or other problems
If the child has a risk of a reading disability, learning to read simultaneously in Finnish and English is really hard, and will significantly slow down the child’s progress at school
Commitment and support from the family is important
Children spend more time on homework than in other schools because they study in two languages
Parents responsible for taking the child to school, no free bus tickets
FISTA English classes / Pia Mikkola 11

12. CLASSES BEGINNING IN AUGUST 2018
Students will be accepted based on their performance in the language test (including children immigrating from abroad)
1-4 classes
FISTA English classes / Pia Mikkola 12

13. ENROLLMENT Children born in 2011
Application to FISTA takes place through the school web page
Enrollment from January 2nd to January 21st 2018
FISTA English classes / Pia Mikkola 13

14. UNDERAGE CHILDREN Children born in 2012
The student’s ability must be tested 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 with 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
- Finnish preschool programs include many features of primary education curricula
The school psychologist will answer any further enquiries
FISTA English classes / Pia Mikkola 14

15. TEST DATES
Aptitude test will take place at FISTA (Reserve day during week 7 in a case of sickness.)
More information about the time and date of the test will be sent to applicants by letter
FISTA English classes / Pia Mikkola 15

16. TO GET INTO FISTA
The students are selected based on points scored in the test.
The child has to score at least 60% of the test points.
Obtaining the minimum number of points does not necessarily mean that the child will be accepted.
FISTA English classes / Pia Mikkola 16

17. ABOUT THE TEST
Remember: the test is always an exciting and stressful situation and the teachers giving the test are unfamiliar to the children.
Please note that the child must follow instructions during the exam.
Please tell your child to do as the teachers say
You don’t have to prepare your child for the test.
A letter of acceptance or refusal will be sent via mail to the child’s home address during week 9 at the latest.
Orientation for new students and their guardians will take place in April 2018.
FISTA English classes / Pia Mikkola 17

18. OPEN DAY In first grade classes on Tuesday January 16th 2018
at 11.15am–1pm
parents only

19. FURTHER INQUIRIES Principal Ulla Hiltunen tel. 040 196 8513
Coordinator Riikka Gummerus
tel
koulut.tampere.fi/fista