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Responsible for the service City of Helsinki, Education Division

Finnish or Swedish as a second language instruction

  • Service
  • Helsinki
  • Public service

Finnish or Swedish as a second language and literature (Suomi/ruotsi toisena kielenä ja kirjallisuus, S2) instruction is provided for pupils who do not yet know enough Finnish or Swedish to study the Finnish or Swedish language and literature (suomen/ruotsin kieli ja kirjallisuus) syllabus.

The pupil will study according to the S2 syllabus, either completely or partially, instead of the Finnis ...

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To whom and on what terms

In addition to immigrants, the instruction is also intended for returnees and adopted children who need support in their linguistic development.

The child’s parent or carer decides on the S2 syllabus and fills out the S2 instruction form.

Background information

Instruction of Finnish of Swedish as a second language may be given to students with an immigrant background whose Finnish or Swedish skills have not reached the native level in all areas of language proficiency. The objectives and contents of the instruction are different from first language instruction. The abbreviation S2/R2 is often used for this instruction.

The objective of the instruction of Finnish or Swedish as a second language is to strengthen the student's plurilingual identity and lay a foundation for functional bilingualism.

The service is provided by

City of Helsinki

Responsible for the service

City of Helsinki, Education Division
Text edited by: City of Helsinki, Education Division
Updated: 28/3/2024