opetuskielessä

Opetuskielenä refers to the language used for instruction in an educational setting. The form accompanies discussions of which language is used to teach a given course, program, or school as a whole. In Finnish, the term can appear in different grammatical forms, such as opetus kielenä (as a language of instruction) or opetuskielellä / opetuskielessä (in the teaching language). The concept is central to language policy, pedagogy, and accessibility in education.

In Finland and other multilingual contexts, the choice of opetuskieli shapes learners’ access to education, comprehension, and participation. Finland has two official national languages, Finnish and Swedish, and education is offered in both languages in appropriate regions. Additionally, many universities and some programs provide instruction in English or other languages to attract international students or to prepare graduates for global work. The selection of teaching language can vary by level (basic education, secondary education, higher education), by school type (monolingual or bilingual institutions), and by program requirements or policy decisions.

Policy considerations regarding opetuskielenä include ensuring equitable access to learning, availability of teaching materials and qualified teachers in the chosen language, and clarity in linguistic rights for students. Debates often address which subjects should be taught in which language, the role of English as a lingua franca in higher education, and measures to support students who study in a non-native language.

See also: opetuskieli, kielilainsäädäntö, kielivalinta, kielipolitiikka, kielellinen tasa-arvo.