Teaching is a very highly respected profession in Finland and teacher education is of the highest standard. In order to be accepted for teacher training, the student must hold a Master’s degree, which is preceded by a selection process for admission to a training programme. The selection process consists of a written examination, one-on-one interviews and realistic group situations. The student teachers are ranked based on the points received. Teacher education takes approximately five years and includes practical training periods in university teacher training schools.
Teacher Education in Finland: http://www.sool.fi/in-english/the-finnish-school-system/
Teacher training is given at Joensuu by School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education http://www.uef.fi/web/skope/skope-home which is a part of University of Eastern Finland www.uef.fi
International study programmes: http://www.uef.fi/web/skope/kansainvalinen-opintotarjonta
Class teacher
Class teachers work with pupils in grades 1-6. In class teacher training, students major in pedagogy. Education and the teacher’s related pedagogical studies form a theoretical base and provide them with the general pedagogical skills to work as a teacher, helping them to think didactically and develop an investigative approach to work.
The teacher training includes minor studies of subjects included in the National Core Curriculum for basic education (60 credits). The teacher’s pedagogical studies (60 credits) are included in basic and subject studies in pedagogy and specialisation studies. Students in class teacher training may choose either two 25-credit study modules or one 60-credit study module for their minor subject. By choosing a 60-credit minor in a basic education subject to be taught, the student can also serve as a subject teacher in that subject for basic education in grades 1-9.
More information: http://www.uef.fi/web/skope/luokanopettajakoulutus-joensuu
Subject teacher
In subject teacher training, students earn qualifications to serve as a subject teacher in comprehensive and upper secondary schools as well as a teacher in vocational and general education institutions and adult education institutions.
The subject teacher degree programme studies combine gaining an in-depth knowledge of the subjects to be taught with diverse pedagogical knowledge. In most cases, a graduating teacher is qualified to teach two or three subjects, which ensures finding an excellent position. If necessary, the student can easily change majors within a degree programme also during studies.
Studies consist of major subject studies, studies in a second subject to be taught, a teacher’s pedagogical studies (60 credits) and free-choice studies. In Joensuu, it is also possible for subject teachers in mathematics to apply to study subjects to be taught in basic education and cross-curricular theme studies (60 credits), thus allowing the teacher to also serve as a class teacher.
Guidance counsellor / Career Counselling
Guidance counsellor education gives students wide-ranging counselling expertise and professional skill to provide support to people going through changes in their study or career paths and needing assistance and advice in making life decisions. Guidance counsellor education provides students with the statutory qualifications to serve as a guidance counsellor, qualifications to serve as a subject teacher (depending on the minor subject studies) and multiple professional skills to work in an advisory capacity in the provision of study and career guidance at a variety of educational institutions.
Guidance counselling is a multidisciplinary field based on counselling psychology and pedagogy. Studies are completed in lectures as well as workshops, seminars and practical training. Guidance counsellors can custom-tailor their own degree with a wide range of minor subjects.
More information: http://www.uef.fi/en/web/kapsy/ohjauksen-koulutus
Special needs teacher
Special needs teachers and special class teachers provide special needs education to pupils who require it due to mental, physical or other reasons. Special needs education may be necessary due to a disability, illness, emotional disorder, mental retardation, social behavioural problem or other reason. Gifted pupils and students might also need special support for their studies. Special needs teachers require knowledge of special needs education and teaching as well as an understanding and acceptance of differences. Special needs teachers work in comprehensive schools and vocational schools.
The major subject of study is special needs pedagogy, which is accompanied by one free-choice minor subject. Students gain a comprehensive knowledge of special needs pedagogy and teaching. Studies deal with education and teaching as well as subjects on the individual nature of learning. Pedagogical research and the conducting of research in special needs pedagogy are also addressed.
More information: http://www.uef.fi/en/web/kapsy/erityispedagogiikka
Teacher training school concept
Student teachers receive practical guidance at teacher training schools. In Finland, there are 13 university teacher training schools, where student teachers are given guidance by class and subject teachers in peer dialogues, using their pedagogical expertise and skills. Teacher training is given in several sessions over roughly a one year period.
More information: http://www.uef.fi/en/web/skope/harjoittelukoulut
Guidance counselling
Each and every teacher’s duties include providing study guidance to pupils, helping them to develop their learning skills and abilities and preventing study-related problems from arising.
Guidance activities comprise a continuum throughout basic education, taking pre-primary education skills into consideration and guiding pupils toward upper secondary studies. Teachers participating in guidance activities work in co-operation during the pupils’ study paths and at transition points in studies.
Through guidance and feedback, pupils are given assistance in finding their own strengths, identifying areas needing improvement and seeing their progress. Pupils and their parents/guardians should be provided with information on basic education’s work targets, available choices and their importance to the pupils’ learning, studies and future.
In grades 1-6, guidance counselling is provided in connection with the teaching of different subjects and other activities at the school. In grades 7-9, guidance counselling is provided in the form of personal guidance focusing on specific questions, small group guidance based on social interaction, classroom-type guidance, and familiarisation with the workplace.
More information (in Finnish): http://www.joensuu.fi/oppilaanohjaus
Special needs education and learning support
General support is provided to prevent or respond early to problems identified in learning or attending school as a whole. The need for support may be related to, for example, learning, emotional skills or social skills. The types of support given include differentiation in learning materials and homework assignments, remedial teaching, part-time special needs education, providing instruction and guidance in emotional and social skills, among others.
Enhanced support is given to pupils based on a pedagogical assessment if the existing types of support are insufficient. Enhanced support is longer term, more intensified, more systematic and more personalised than general support.
If enhanced support still proves to be insufficient for the pupil, a decision based on a pedagogical examination concerning the need for special support will be made and the pupil will be given the necessary special needs support. In this case, the pupil’s support, targets for the period of special needs support and other factors are entered in a plan for providing personalised instruction.
More information (in Finnish): http://www.joensuu.fi/yleinen-tehostettu-ja-erityinen-tuki
Happy at school
Anti-bullying activities
Nearly 90% of all Finnish schools are participants in the KiVa anti-bullying programme. In participating schools, the universal preventive actions taken to put an end to bullying are directed at all pupils. Indicated actions, such as individual and group discussions and follow-up, are taken when a bullying case arises and are specifically directed at the pupils involved, both the bully and victim of bullying. The goal is to put an end to bullying. In reducing and preventing bullying, each and every pupil’s responsibility in the universal well-being of others is emphasised. Bystanders witnessing bullying are provided with tools to support the victims and demonstrate that they do not accept bullying.
You can learn about KiVa school activities in all Joensuu comprehensive schools.
Read more about the KiVa school concept at http://www.kivaprogram.net/
School meals
Meals at Finnish schools are free to all pupils from pre-school all the way through to upper secondary education. Nutritious, high-quality meals consist of hot food, salads and shredded vegetables, bread and a beverage. There are two or more hot meal options for the pupils to choose. The National Nutrition Council makes recommendations on school meals and nutrition.
Administration of educational institutions and schools
Joensuu offers excellent opportunities to learn about the administration of educational institutions. On various orientation tours, visitors are introduced to a wide range of principles on how the operations of comprehensive schools, upper secondary schools and teacher training schools are managed with expertise.