Kauniainen and Its Linguistic Diversity – What Should We Think?
• The language debate is heating up – is English a threat to Finnish and Swedish, or could it be an opportunity?
• Some fear that English will take over, while others see it as a bridge to a global world. But what does research say?
• This blog aims to examine the issue from a research-based perspective and explore what the future may bring.
1. Is Finnish and Swedish at Risk?
The key question is: Can increasing English in early childhood education weaken children’s Finnish and Swedish skills?
*Research 1: Children growing up in multilingual environments do not automatically lose one language as long as each language has a clear role and sufficient exposure. (Source: Bialystok 2016, Language Development in Multilingual Environments)
*Research 2: Bilingual early education does not weaken the mother tongue if there is sufficient input. In Helsinki’s language immersion programs, children achieve high proficiency in both languages. (Source: Finnish National Agency for Education, 2022)
How do we ensure that children learn Finnish and Swedish?
• Finnish and Swedish remain the primary languages, with English serving as a complement
• Language development is monitored, and additional support is provided if necessary
• No “all or nothing” model – instead, a balanced and structured approach
2. Is English a Barrier to Integration – or a Bridge?
• A common concern is that if English is widely available, there will be no motivation to learn Finnish or Swedish. But what if the reality is the opposite?
• Research shows that linguistic bridges help children acquire additional languages more easily. In Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, bilingual early education models have supported families in adapting to local languages. (Source: Cenoz & Gorter 2015, Multilingual Education in Europe)
*Two Paths to Integration:
• Model A: Exclude English → Some families will opt for fully international schools and avoid Finnish and Swedish altogether
• Model B: Include English as a support → Families feel more comfortable engaging in Finnish and Swedish
English can be a bridge, not a barrier – if implemented wisely.
3. What Does the Future Hold?
*Finland is becoming more international – how will Kauniainen keep up?
• More and more families live in multilingual environments, and the demand for multilingual professionals is growing.
• The language choices we make today will determine whether Kauniainen continues to be an attractive place for international experts and their families.
*What Can We Learn from Other Cities and Countries?
• Tampere’s Finnish-French School: Finnish and French taught side by side, with strong proficiency in both
• Helsinki’s Language Immersion Programs: The structured combination of Finnish and Swedish has proven to be successful
• Sweden’s Bilingual Early Childhood Models: English is included, but Swedish remains the dominant primary language
*What Can Kauniainen Do?
-Invest in multilingualism in a way that supports Finnish and Swedish
-Continuously monitor language development and adjust if necessary
-Learn from other cities – there’s no need to reinvent the wheel
4. Conclusion – What Can We Learn?
• English is not a threat to Finnish or Swedish – if we create a well-designed model.
• Research shows that multilingualism can strengthen language learning, not weaken it.
• Kauniainen should look to the future and consider how language policies support the city’s long-term development.
How do you see the future of Kauniainen’s language policies? How can we build a model that benefits both children and the community?
Sources:
📖 Bialystok, E. (2016). Language Development in Multilingual Environments.
📖 Cenoz, J., & Gorter, D. (2015). Multilingual Education in Europe.
📖 Finnish National Agency for Education (2022). Effects of Language Immersion Education.
