Finské děti nejen milují školu, ale v mezinárodních srovnávacích testech patří k nejlepším na světě téměř ve všech předmětech. Více si o tom můžete přečíst v angličtině. Na konci článku také najdete slovníček a rozhovor na toto téma, který si hned můžete vyzkoušet buď na hodině angličtiny nebo s přáteli u vína.
Finnish students not only rank very high in international tests, but they also love going to school. So what makes the education system in Finland so good? Here are some of the reasons: 
Teachers
- A teacher is one of the most prestigious professions in Finland.
- Teaching is considered a science.
The teaching methods
- Children start school at the age of 7 and in the first two years they get very little homework. The stress is on motivation.
- Children have the same teacher for most subjects until the 6th year.
- Children don’t get marks until the 5th year, so there is very little competition. They get written evaluation of their progress, though.
- Children learn at school, so they don’t get any homework until they are teenagers.
- Each class has only 20 students at the most, so the relationship with the teacher is very close.
- The lessons are about exploring, experimenting and creating, not about cramming and learning by heart.
- Teachers take care of students who are slower but also of those who are much faster.
Schools
- Every school, but also every teacher can create their own curriculum.
- Both teachers and students make their education plan.
- Compulsory education is free. This includes classroom materials and school transport.
- Finns value discipline and effort.
Slovníček
education system – vzdělávací systém
rank – umístit se
prestigious – prestižní
is considered – je považován
subject – předmět
mark – známka
competition – soutěž, konkurence
written evaluation – písemné ohodnocení
progress – pokrok
relationship – vztah
close – těsný, blízký
explore – prozkoumávat, poznávat
cramming – šprtání
learning by heart – učení se nazpaměť
take care of – starat se o
education plan – vzdělávací plán
compulsory – povinný
classroom – třída
transport – doprava
value – cenit si
effort – snaha, úsilí
Conversation about Finnish education
A: Hey, I read this really interesting article about the education system in Finland.
B: Yeah, I’ve heard it’s very good. Finnish children have the best scores in international tests. But do you know why?
A: Well, firstly, teaching is one of the most prestigious jobs in Finland.
B: That makes sense. That’s the biggest problem here.
A: And there are some other things, like no homework and no marks until they are eleven or so, small classes, and the kids explore and experiment. They just don’t cram things by heart.
B: That sounds wonderful.
A: Plus the kids plan their classes with teachers.
B: Cool, but I guess the schools are private and expensive, aren’t they?
A: No. Compulsory education is free. And they provide free materials and school transport on top of everything.
B: Do you think it would work here?
A: I don’t think so. Finnish people believe in discipline and effort because of their Lutheran religion. Kids here are lazy and spoilt.
