Teaching in the pupil's native language

Pupils may register for classes in their native language if

• their native language or a language spoken in the family is a language other than Finnish or Swedish
• they are Finnish returnees who have acquired command of another language abroad (maintenance teaching in a language learned abroad)

Instruction complementary to basic education is also provided for pupils who speak Sámi or Romani.

This instruction is intended for pupils in preschool or basic education domiciled in Tampere. Preschoolers register in early education to native language studying.

The instruction is provided pursuant to the national core curriculum for a pupil´s native language,and the pupils must possess language skills sufficient to participate in that native language studying. Pupils who are participating in native language studying can come from different backgrounds for example based on their language situation at home. Parents should encourage their children to study native language. If necessary, guardians have to take care of their children´s going to native language lessons which can be in a different school.

Native language studying is free of charge but school doesn´t take part of transportation costs or transportation arrangements. 

Currently, instruction in a pupil’s native language is provided in the following languages:

Albanian, Arabic, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Czech, Chinese (Mandarin), Dari, English, Estonian, French, German, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Kurdish, Lithuanian, Nepali, Pashayi, Pashto, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Turkish, Urdu, Ukrainian, Vietnamese.

In addition, distance learning is provided in Inari Sámi, North Sámi, and Skolt Sámi. 

New language groups can be set up whenever at least six basic education pupils have registered for instruction in the language group in question and a suitable teacher for the group can be recruited.

The registration period for new students for the school year 2024-2025 is on 18.3.2024-5.5.2024. Pupils, who are already studying their native language, don´t have to register.

Pupils currently in basic education with the City of Tampere register through Wilma.

First grade pupils, who are going to start school in August 2024, have to register for basic education´s native language lessons on Wilma even they have participated native language lessons on pre-primary education. 

When logging in to Wilma, please prefer the Chrome or Edge browsers.

It is not possible to register using the phone app.

You can find the registration form in Wilma at Applications and decisions > New application > Registration for teaching in the pupil’s native language.

Registration for instruction in the pupil´s native language for City of Tampere school pupils

The registration period for new pupils for the school year 2024-2025 is on 18.3.2024-5.5.2024. Private school pupils and Tampere University Teacher Training School pupils who are already studying their native language, don´t have to register.

Registration for new pupils from private schools and the Tampere University Teacher Training School

NB. Do not use this link to register students already enrolled in City of Tampere basic education schools!

Vacancies for teachers in a pupil’s native language are made available through the Kuntarekry municipal jobs website for the City of Tampere, as well as through Employment and Economic Development offices. You may apply for a job teaching a pupil’s native language if you are a native speaker of the language in question and possess teacher training or a higher education degree.

Those interested in teaching a pupil’s native language should also make themselves available through the City of Tampere substitute teacher registry.