Information event on pre-primary and primary education in English

18.12.2024 | On Tuesday 14.1.2025 at 18–19, an information session on English-language pre-primary and primary education will be held in the auditorium of the Haukkavuori School.

The event will explain how to apply for bilingual pre-primary and primary education in Kotka and what bilingual education is like. The application for bilingual education is open from 15.1.–31.1.2025

In the current academic year 2024–2025, bilingual education will be provided in grades 1-8 at Kotkansaari school. In the academic year 2025–2026, a new bilingual education group will start, provided that the minimum size (18) is reached. A maximum of 24 students will be selected for the class based on test results. Those selected must score at least 50% of the points in the selection test.

The aim of the teaching is for the students to learn in both Finnish and English. The content of the lessons is the same as in Finnish. Bilingual studies develop the child’s creativity, problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to new situations. About 25% of the lessons are in English.

“I warmly encourage families to send their children to bilingual education when such a great opportunity is available in Kotka. A good knowledge of English acquired at school will certainly be useful in life,” says Toni Vanhala, Development Director of Kotka.

The information session on 14th of January will be attended by teachers of early childhood education and bilingual education in primary schools. The event will also include an opportunity to hear about families’ experiences of bilingual schooling and to visit the facilities of the Haukkavuori pre-primary and primary school.

The event will be in Finnish and will take place in the auditorium of the Haukkavuori school. Entrance to the school from the upper courtyard. Register for the event by 13th of January at https://www.kotka.fi/kasvatus-ja-koulutus/perusopetus/painotettu-opetus/kaksikielinen-opetus/

Application for teaching by 31.1.

Applications for bilingual education can be submitted by 31st of January by e-mail anu.tiilikainen@kotka.fi or by post to Kotkansaari School, Haukkavuori, Opintie 2, 48100 Kotka.

The application form will be mailed to the students together with the compulsory school attendance notification.

All applicants for bilingual education will take the test, to which they will not receive a separate invitation. The test will be held at Haukkavuori School, Opintie 2, 48100 Kotka, on 5.2.2025 at 9.00.

Bilingual education is primarily intended for children living in Kotka. The student’s parents are responsible for the student’s school transport.

Children who wish to study in English and Finnish will be given priority. English language skills are not required for those wishing to join the class. The language skills of children wishing to enter the school are assessed by means of tests of learning ability. Bilingual schooling requires a higher than usual level of learning ability and if a child has difficulties in learning to read and write, this should be assessed before starting school. Applicants whose mother tongue is the target language (EN) will be selected on the basis of a separate interview.

Bilingual education is provided in accordance with the Finnish basic education curriculum as bilingual (English-Finnish) education. This means that the timetable and the teaching of the different subjects follow the same curriculum as in other classes in Finnish basic education.