JYU is developing a novel bilingual teacher training programme in early childhood education
The new programme aims to integrate language and early childhood education studies, developing students’ Finnish or Swedish proficiency to a level suitable for the Finnish labour market.
The programme begins in English before shifting purposefully and systematically to Finnish-language teaching and activities. The primary aim for most students is to find employment in Finland, learn Finnish effectively and develop expertise. The programme also enables students to continue with academic studies or employment outside Finland after graduation.
Functional bilingual education is a new initiative in academia. It is developed based on experience from the vocational higher education sector. This project is implemented in partnership with Jamk University of Applied Sciences.
“The idea behind functional bilingual education is to integrate communication and language studies into the programme so that students can develop their Finnish or Swedish language proficiency up to the level required of teachers working in early childhood education,” says Director Peppi Taalas. “The degree programme has the same structure and teaching for everyone, but it places a particular focus on facilitating goal-oriented Finnish language learning.”
The first 25 students will begin in the degree programme in autumn 2027.
