Bilingual classes

Frequently asked questions about bilingual education                        

What is bilingual education?

Studying subjects in two languages, in Imatra's bilingual teaching in Finnish and English.

Who can apply for bilingual education?

Any student starting first grade at Imatra. 

When do you apply for bilingual education?

When the child is registered for the first grade. The application is in December-January.

Can I apply for bilingual education later?

Yes. If there is room in the classes, you can apply for bilingual education later. The supplementary application for the current grades 1-6 will be organized in the spring and winter. At other times, you can inquire about the matter from the principals of Koski School Center. 

How are the students of bilingual education selected?

An entrance exam is organized for all children applying for bilingual education, according to which the students are selected. When applying for the 1st grade, students' linguistic abilities are tested, but the entrance exam does not require knowledge of the English language or reading or writing skills. When applying for other classes, students' English and Finnish skills are tested at the same level. studying in class requires, as well as other readiness to study in bilingual education.

How does bilingual education differ from early English studies?

In bilingual education, the study of English starts immediately in the fall of the 1st grade and it is two hours per week, while in other classes English begins in the spring of the 1st grade and it is 0,5 hours per week. In bilingual education, English is studied for more hours than in general education throughout elementary school, and other subjects are also studied in English. 

Does studying in a bilingual class affect the learning of the mother tongue?

Bilingual classes have the same curriculum as in general education also in the mother tongue, and mother tongue teaching is carried out entirely in Finnish. Studying the mother tongue and studying English form a mutually supportive whole.

Is studying other subjects more difficult in bilingual education?

In bilingual education, the same content is studied as in other education and the national and local curriculum is followed, but the content is studied in English and Finnish. Language must not be an obstacle to learning, and the teaching ensures mastery of the most important concepts and contents in both teaching languages, and in teaching situations, the appropriate language is used for the purpose and the situation. The amount of work and therefore also the amount of homework is somewhat higher than in other classes, so home support is needed. Pupils in bilingual education have the right to the same support measures as all other pupils. 

What is CLIL?

CLIL, or Content and Language Integrated Learning, means studying the contents of subjects in a foreign language. 

What is the difference between large-scale bilingual education and language-enriched education?

In large-scale bilingual education, at least 25% of all teaching is in English, in language-enriched education, a maximum of 25%. At Imatra, classes 1-6 are taught in large-scale bilingual classes, and classes 7-9 are language-enriched classes. 

Is studying English different in bilingual education and in regular education?

In bilingual education, there is significantly more English than in general education classes (in bilingual education, a total of 27 hours per week during grades 1-9, 18 hours per week in general education classes). In the teaching, the contents and syllabus of the A-English curriculum are studied, and in addition, the so-called English with emphasis.

In the studies, you get ahead of others, but the final evaluation is based on the same national criteria as for all students.

Students of bilingual education gain strong English skills and especially the ability to speak and use English in various interaction situations. In bilingual classes, English is used daily in the school and it becomes a natural part of schooling.

Studying in bilingual classes also creates good work habits for the students and gives many things, e.g. cultural knowledge skills for the future. For eager and talented students, studying in English offers opportunities to differentiate the teaching in a more demanding direction and provides an additional challenge when the child needs it. The intensive language study that has continued throughout elementary school also provides a good basis for studying English in the 2nd grade or, for example, in an international IB high school. 

Does studying in a bilingual class affect electives?

For students studying in a bilingual class, part of the elective classes are used to study English, but the students still have electives. In upper secondary school, students can, for example, choose two long electives and some short courses.