The Finnish time allocation prescribed by the government, presenting two levels of language teaching: A- level and B-level

The Finnish time allocation prescribed by the government, presenting two levels of language teaching: A- level and B-level

A1 denotes the language that starts in the lower stage of the comprehensive school and that is common (obligatory) to all students, and A2 denotes the voluntary language that starts in the lower stage of the comprehensive school. B1 denotes the language that starts in the upper stage of the comprehensive school and that is common (obligatory) to all students, and B2 denotes the optional language that starts in the upper stage of the comprehensive school. B3 denotes the optional language that starts in the upper secondary school. The students are required to study at least one A-level language and at least one B-level language in order to complete the upper secondary schooling. One of these languages has to be the other national language of the country. The language programme may also include optional language studies that do not necessarily reach B-level. (Chart 1)

Chart1. Paths that describe the opportunities for the study of languages

Language studies in grades 1-6

Language studies in grades 7-9

Language studies in the Upper secondary school

The development of the language teaching programme in KIMMOKE municipalities during the project 1996-2001