Eurydice

Adult education covers all levels of education in Finland. Therefore, the requirements and practices of a certain level of education also apply to adult education.

European, global and intercultural dimension in curriculum development

Early childhood and school education

Pre-primary education is built on the basic values of society, one of which is safeguarding human rights and the viability of the globe. The role of pre-primary education is to promote children’s growth into humane individuals and ethically responsible members of the society by guiding them towards conscientious action and compliance with generally accepted rules and towards appreciation for other people and cultures.

Learner mobility

In principle, similar tools and methods for internationalisation of the continuing education and training for adults are used as in general and vocational education and training. For example:

Student mobility

There are several mobility programmes available for students. The national administration of the programmes is in the Finnish National Agency for Education EDUFI.

Erasmus+ 

Pupil and student mobility

The pandemic that broke out in spring 2020 has changed the forms of international activities in educational institutions, perhaps even permanently. Although internationalisation at home and virtual internationalisation are increasingly common, the most common form of international work in the schools is still teacher and pupil mobility. Mostly that means different types of visits of varying lengths to learn about schoolwork abroad.

In Finland, international mobility of students and teachers is an essential part of internationalisation of education. The national core curriculum sets internationalization and cultural understanding as one of the key objectives in basic education. Therefore, educational programmes through all levels of education have elements supporting internationalisation. Moreover, students are provided with a variety of possibilities to study or work on a traineeship abroad and to gain knowledge of other languages, cultures and societies.

Adult students receive personalised services based on their needs. In addition to guidance and counselling, teaching arrangements and other support measures are in use. The students’ different cultural background and problems with spoken or written language are also paid attention to.

Definition of the target group(s)

In Finland the same support measures that are available at other levels of education are also available in adult education. In addition there are some special measures for immigrants.

Academic guidance

Higher education institutions provide general student advice services to all students. The organisation of the services varies somewhat between the institutions. 

Regarding academic advice, higher education institutions have study affairs secretaries or counsellors in charge of the planning, co-ordination and development of guidance and counselling, editing of study guides and training of student tutors in a given field or programme.