Study lines and optional courses
Studying in grades 1-6
In grades 1-6, English is the main language of tuition, except for Finnish lessons (Finnish as a first language or second language) and social studies (4th and 5th grade), which are taught in Finnish.
To support the students’ Finnish multiliteracy skills, science and history (5th and 6th grade) texts and/or vocabulary are also discussed during Finnish lessons as necessary.
Students do not choose a line of study at this point.
Study lines in grades 7-9
The choice for grades 7-9 is made in the spring of 6th grade, with the student’s Finnish and English skills, language development goals, and plans for secondary education in mind.
International line
- The language of tuition is English with the exception of Finnish / Finnish as a second language and Social Studies (9th grade), which are taught in Finnish.
- Skills and arts subjects are taught mainly in English
- For optional subjects, the language of tuition depends on the course
- Religion is taught in English on 7th and 8th grades and in Finnish on 9th grade.
Bilingual line
- Subjects taught in English are English, ethics, health and languages
- History, biology and geography are taught in English, except for Finland-related topics which are taught in Finnish.
- Mathematics, physics, chemistry, guidance counselling, religion and social studies (9th grade) are taught in Finnish.
- Skills and arts subjects are taught mainly in English
- For optional subjects, the language of tuition depends on the course.
Optional courses
Unlike other Tampere schools, FISTA has no optional courses for students in grades 4-7, as those lessons are spent on extra English studies.
For grades 8-9 students can pick one optional skills or arts subject, plus shorter courses in various subjects. The courses offered may vary by year.
More information about optional language studies can be found on the Language studies page.