English Medium Instruction and Mother Tongue Support in Indian Finnish Curriculum Schools
India's National Education Policy encourages teaching in a child's mother tongue where possible, while most CBSE and ICSE schools remain English-medium. Here is how Finnish-pedagogy schools in India tend to navigate that, and how it compares with Finland's own approach.
- NEP 2020 recommends the medium of instruction be the home or regional language up to grade 5, and preferably beyond, wherever practicable.
- The policy uses the phrase 'wherever possible', so existing English-medium schools are not required to switch.
- Most private CBSE and ICSE schools, including those working with Finnish pedagogy, remain English-medium in practice.
- India's three-language formula generally covers the regional language, Hindi or English, and a further language, varying by state.
- Finland itself teaches primarily in the pupil's home language, Finnish or Swedish, with additional languages introduced gradually from the early grades.
What NEP 2020 actually recommends
The National Education Policy 2020 recommends, rather than mandates, that the medium of instruction up to at least grade 5, and ideally further, be a child's home or regional language wherever practicable. The phrase wherever possible gives schools significant room, and in practice most established private schools, English-medium since long before the policy, have not switched their medium of instruction.
How Finnish-pedagogy schools in India typically approach this
Schools working with Finnish pedagogy in India generally keep their existing medium of instruction, most often English, while adding regional language and Hindi through the standard three-language formula. The Finnish influence here shows up less in which language is used and more in how language and literacy are taught, through Finland's approach to early reading and generous space for oral language and storytelling.
How this compares with Finland's own language policy
It is worth noting the contrast: Finland teaches primarily in a child's home language, Finnish or Swedish depending on the region, with additional languages such as English introduced gradually rather than used as the medium from day one. Language of instruction in Finnish curriculum schools outside Finland generally follows local norms, English in most Indian schools, rather than replicating Finland's own home-language model exactly.
Frequently asked questions
Do Finnish-pedagogy schools in India have to switch to a regional language of instruction?
No. NEP 2020's mother tongue guidance is a recommendation, not a mandate, and most established English-medium schools, including those using Finnish pedagogy, have kept English as the medium of instruction.
How does India's three-language formula fit alongside Finnish pedagogy?
The two operate independently. The three-language formula sets which languages are studied; Finnish pedagogy mainly shapes how literacy, reading and language skills are taught within that structure.
Does Finland itself use English as a medium of instruction?
No, Finnish schools teach primarily in Finnish or Swedish, the pupil's home language, and introduce English and other languages as subjects from the early grades rather than as the main medium.
Related reading
Bring Finnish pedagogy to your school
OPPI affiliates a selective cohort of schools each year for its K-5 Finnish-pedagogy programme, backed by Education Finland. Tell us about your school and our team will reach out.
Backed by Education Finland. Over 20 schools have already affiliated, including DPS, Radcliffe and Sanctus. Places in each cohort are limited.
Apply to the affiliation cohort →