Teaching in the pupil's native language

Registration for classes in native language can make pupils

• whose official or guardian's official native language is the language taught to the pupils as their native  language 

  and

• who studies in basic education in Tampere

You can only apply for studies in your own native language using the official application form. Registration for studies in the native language for the school year 2025-2026 has ended.

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

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. 

Native language studying is free of charge. However, parents are responsible for their child's transportation to and from lessons, because participation in the teaching is voluntary. The city does not participate in transportation or transportation arrangements related to native language lessons.

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 will be established if at least 12 pupils with the right to study apply for a new language group during the official application period. 

Registration for studies in the native language for the school year 2025-2026 has ended. The next opportunity to register for the native language studies will be in April 2026 through an official application. 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 2025, 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 next opportunity to register for the native language studies will be in April 2026. Pupils who are already continuing their native language studies, 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!

The registration period for pre-primary education (prechool) students’ native language lessons for the school year 2025–2026 is on 14.4.-30.4.2025. After this, registrations can no longer be accepted. 

Registration for the native language instruction is possible for pre-primary education students (born 2019)

• Whose native language or guardian’s native language is something other than Finnish or Swedish 
• Finnish returnees who have acquired sufficient language skills while living abroad (maintenance teaching for a language learned abroad) 

Teaching is also provided for Sámi and Romani-speaking pre-school pupils if necessary.

The registration link will be added to early childhood education and pre-primary education website when registration opens.

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.