Question

What would you change about the Polish school system?

Warm-up

<aside>

equity

autonomy

dead end

</aside>

<aside>

the right to choose for yourself

a road that is closed at one end, and does not go anywhere; a situation with no hope


being fair and giving everyone an equal chance

</aside>

Article

Read the following text.

<aside> ✏️

The Finnish school system is famous around the world for its success. For many years, it has been one of the top performers in international student assessments. The system is built on a few core principles. The most important one is equity. This means that every student, no matter their background, has the right to a high-quality education. Education in Finland is free at all levels, from pre-school to university. This includes textbooks, daily meals, and even transportation for students who live far from school.

Another key principle is trust in teachers. Teachers in Finland are respected and have a lot of autonomy in the classroom. They can choose their own teaching methods and materials. To become a teacher in Finland you need a master’s degree. The Finnish system focuses on the well-being of the child, not just their academic performance. There are no national tests for students in basic education. The learning environment is designed to be supportive and to encourage students to become active learners.

Finally, the system is designed to have no dead ends. Students can always continue their studies to a higher level, no matter what choices they make along the way.

</aside>

True / False

Are the following statements true or false?

  1. Education in Finland is free only for primary school students.
  2. Teachers in Finland have little freedom in how they teach.
  3. The Finnish system uses a lot of standardised tests.
  4. All teachers in Finland must have a master’s degree.

Prepositions