Lauste school earns praise for multilingual success

Turku’s Lauste school, where more than 70 per cent of pupils speak a first language other than Finnish, has been recognised as a successful place to learn and work, Yle reports. The school’s 290 pupils speak 30 different languages, yet staff wellbeing is strong and pupil absences are unusually low.

The Finnish Trade Union of Education OAJ awarded the school its annual Best Place to Teach and Learn recognition in the spring. The award citation highlighted staff wellbeing, employee retention and a strong sense of community, as well as the school’s approach to treating multiculturalism as a resource rather than a challenge.

According to the school health survey, 93 per cent of pupils feel safe at school and 96 per cent are satisfied with their lives. One in six pupils needs some form of additional learning support.

During a Finnish lesson for third-grade pupils, the children are divided into groups according to their language skills. A Finnish-as-a-second-language teacher works with pupils who have recently completed preparatory education, which is intended for children who have recently moved to Finland and whose language skills are not yet sufficient for mainstream education.

In another classroom, a special education teacher supports pupils who need help with language learning. The remaining pupils study with class teacher Henna Sundell, who uses clear pronunciation, gestures, demonstrations and facial expressions in her teaching. This approach is known as language-aware teaching.

Lauste is a 1970s-built apartment suburb and, together with neighbouring Varissuo, is one of the Turku districts with the highest number of immigrants and residents who speak a language other than Finnish.

The school’s original building, completed in the 1970s, was demolished. Pupils have studied in temporary modular buildings since 2019.

Principal Marjaana Ylönen, who has led the school for six years, has played a role in its improved results. Ylönen previously worked as a Finnish-as-a-second-language teacher and in preparatory education.

After becoming principal, she began restructuring the school’s working culture. New meeting practices were introduced so teachers could meet regularly, and staff were divided into teams so that no one had to solve problems alone.

Six years ago, many teachers at Lauste school were struggling with their workload and ability to cope. Today, issues are discussed collectively, teachers can influence decisions concerning everyday school life, and staff have jointly agreed on rules to which everyone is committed.

“Shared practices bring peace and security to our everyday life. That is reflected in wellbeing. Pupils learn better when they and the staff feel well,” Ylönen says, according to Yle.

The school’s biggest challenge is its premises, Ylönen says. The new school is scheduled to be completed in 2029, although construction has not yet begun.