Course Schedule

Core Activities

Day 1

Introduction to STPM - Building connections

Begin your journey with the STPM approach, where mindfulness and well-being take centre stage. Dive into Finland’s pioneering educational model and cultural heritage through "The Finnish Corner," and connect with new European colleagues through engaging ice breaking activities and a welcoming social gathering. This event takes place in Helsinki’s iconic library, a stunning blend of cultural house, community hub, and breathtaking architecture. This inspiring venue sets the tone for a week of creativity, connection, and learning.

Day 2: 

Introduction and building confidence in English communication

Start your journey with icebreaker activities designed to boost confidence and ease in using English. Explore speaking boards as a practical tool for discussing classroom routines, subjects, and Q&A sessions.

Grammar in action – Bringing language to life

This session focuses on practical language use to build confidence and fluency in real-life classroom contexts.  Explore classroom verbs through movement and gestures, connecting language with action for better retention. Practise present simple and present continuous tenses through creative activities that involve cultural comparisons, sensory experiences, and team-based challenges. 

Day 3: 

Exploring tenses through interaction

Build confidence using future expressions to discuss plans, predictions, and possibilities. Practise the present perfect tense with activities that encourage reflection on past experiences, accomplishments, and shared stories. This session emphasises active participation, playful repetition, and real-life classroom scenarios to improve fluency and accuracy.

Language in action – Practical activities

Take part in hands-on activities to practise tenses and language functions in real-life contexts. Explore how simple tools, like play dough, can become powerful resources for practising grammar and communication skills creatively. Participate in interactive tasks that encourage collaboration and engagement. 

The Finnish educational system

We will conclude the day with an introduction to the Finnish school system, providing essential background knowledge in preparation for the upcoming school visit.

Day 4:

Interactive school visits and reflection

Participants will spend the day visiting a Finnish school tailored to their teaching stage or subject area. This immersive experience offers a unique opportunity to gain inside knowledge, interact with Finnish educators and students, and explore the Finnish school system firsthand. Through conversations and observations, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the practices that make Finland's education system stand out. At the end of the school day, we will come together as a group to reflect on the visits, share insights, and discuss how these experiences can inform and inspire your own teaching practices.

Day 5: 

Sharing experiences through storytelling 

Explore the power of storytelling using story maps and visual prompts.  Build confidence in using the past simple tense through interactive activities that encourage sharing personal experiences and memorable moments. Practise sentence construction and fluency with engaging tasks that bring past events to life. 

Sharing good practice

Take the opportunity to share an effective classroom activity or strategy you’ve successfully used in your teaching. Engage with your European colleagues in an exchange of ideas, methods, and creative techniques for language instruction.

Day 6: 

Let’s get creative with language

Expand your English vocabulary with adjectives and adverbs through interactive activities. Experience how traditional worksheets can be transformed into dynamic, language-rich activities, encouraging active participation and discussion. Conclude with an active listening session.

Vision planning and reflection in English

Using digital collaboration tools, create a vision plan with actionable goals for improving your English skills in educational and professional contexts. Practise expressing intentions and commitments clearly in English. Conclude the day with an evaluation and feedback discussion, reflecting on your growth and future language-learning goals.

Day 7:

We’ll spend our final day together at the Helsinki City Museum, reflecting on the week’s experiences and insights. This time will also be an opportunity to strengthen the connections formed with new friends, celebrating the journey and looking ahead to future collaborations.