Number of first-graders studying Swedish as first foreign language in Helsinki multiplies

New A1 Swedish groups have been formed in five schools in Helsinki in autumn 2026, according to the language selection statistics for first-graders. The five schools account for one-fourth of the schools in Helsinki where taking A1 Swedish is possible. The groups formed are large, as they have 18–27 students. The selection of A1 French has also increased significantly.

For the first time in a long period, some families have selected languages other than English as their child’s first foreign language. The change is the result of several active measures.

“This is a welcome development. We have made progress towards our goal of offering children a wide range of languages. It is great that families have taken this opportunity,” says Satu Järvenkallas, Head of the Education Division.

Language sampling helps

Helsinki has made a particular effort to increase the popularity of the Swedish language studies. The Helsinki Learns Swedish project started in 2024, funded by the Finnish National Agency for Education, with the objective of expanding the teaching of A1 Swedish.

“We have actively informed families and our staff about the benefits of A1 Swedish and introduced children in pre-primary education to the Swedish language,” says Ina Saloheimo, the Project Manager of the project.

Helsinki has developed systematic language sampling activities for pre-primary education, where the children are familiarised with their local school’s language options already in daycare. The selection of A1 languages in Helsinki is exceptionally extensive with nine languages. On 27 October, the Finnish Sub-committee of the Education Division set a goal for all schools in Helsinki to offer at least two A1 languages in the future.

“We expect the selection of languages to diversify even more as the regional range of languages offered evens out and A1 Swedish is offered in more schools,” says Development Services Director Marjo Kyllönen.

Language sampling is part of the local curriculum in Helsinki, and it is organised in all pre-primary education groups in Helsinki. Children are introduced to the Swedish language in every group, as they will all study Swedish in school. Cooperation between pre-primary education for 6-year-olds and comprehensive school grades 1 and 2 will be strengthened further.

New groups across the city

New A1 Swedish groups have been formed at Kannelmäki Comprehensive School and Pohjois-Haaga Primary School for the past two school years, 2025 and 2026. This year, groups were also formed at Herttoniemenranta Primary School, Laajasalo Comprehensive School and Maunula Primary School.

However, English remains the most popular choice of A1 language in Helsinki. A total of 83% of first-graders chose English as their first foreign language this year. Although the total number of students studying A1 Swedish remains small, the change is significant.

“This school year, there are as many first-graders studying A1 Swedish in Helsinki as there are in grades 2 to 9 combined. The growth is clear,” says Saloheimo happily.

A total of 116 new students have chosen A1 Swedish, while approximately 120 students in grades 2 to 9 study it in schools in Helsinki. A1 Swedish is offered in a total of 20 schools, but groups are not formed in them all.

Citywide parents’ evening on language choices

Helsinki has invested heavily in training pre-primary education staff regarding early language education.

“Pre-primary teachers play a significant role in encouraging children and families towards versatile language selections and in taking the information to the homes,” Saloheimo points out.

Helsinki invites parents and guardians of future schoolchildren to a Citywide guardians’ evening on student’s language choices, organised for the third time this autumn. The aim is to provide information on the range of languages offered in Helsinki’s schools.

“The Citywide parents’ evening on language choices discusses the theme of language selections as a whole, including bilingual education, mother tongue instruction and the selection between Finnish as a first or second language, as well as the selection of the A1 language,” says pedagogical specialist Niina Elf.

The Citywide parents' evening on language choices will be held on 11 November. Over 600 remote participants registered for the popular event last year.

“On average, multilingual families are more likely to choose English as their A1 language than Finnish- or Swedish-speaking families. However, proficiency in Swedish is a significant advantage in Finnish society and in the labour market. It is a matter of equality to ensure that the message regarding language selection and the importance of the Swedish language reaches multilingual families, as well,’” Saloheimo notes.