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Plain language and clear language are different things Plain language and clear standard language are different things. Plain language is easier to use and understand than clear standard language. Both support the integration of a person who has m...

Integration in Swedish Finland is officially a bilingual country, with both Finnish and Swedish as national languages. Swedish is also a minority language, the status of which is protected by law. Finland's bilingualism is based on the Constitutio...

One of the first choices a person makes when moving to a country is whether they want to primarily integrate in Finnish or Swedish. The choice of language determines, among other things, which language the person will use to participate in integration services and which language learning will be the focus of the services.

Making a success of customer service through multilingualism, use of native language and plain language, fluent interpretation and dialogic practice Are you planning multilingual communications, a brochure or other material for immigrants? Do you ...

In Finland, communications, information and culture in plain Swedish (lättläst svenska) are promoted by LL-Center.

What should be taken into account when choosing the integration language and when a worker is guiding the customer in choosing an integration language in a Customer Service encounter? The following information can help the immigrant choose their first language of integration.

5.6.2025 | According to the government's proposal, the conditions for a permanent residence permit would be tightened, among other things, by extending the continuous period of residence required for the permit. In the future, applicants would also be required to have knowledge of Finnish or Swedish and a work history of a certain length. The legislative amendments are scheduled to enter into force on 8 January 2026.

23.1.2025 | In accordance with the new Integration Act, final examination of language proficiency in Finnish or Swedish will be part of integration training courses beginning after 1 January 2025. The Finnish National Agency for Education will be responsible for the final examination system. The examination will be carried out by education providers.

The Centre of Expertise in Immigrant Integration has compiled information on the situation in Ukraine and those fleeing from Ukraine on this website. The materials have been produced by the Government and other authorities, and in part by municipalities and organisations.

Linguistic objectives The objective of integration training is for the student to achieve a basic language proficiency in Finnish or Swedish (proficiency level B1.1, section 26 of the Integration Act). A functional basic language proficiency means...

Employers may arrange services to help their employees settle in and integrate in Finland. Employers offer different kinds of services that support settlement and such services can also be purchased.

Multilingual and multichannel communications include many aspects that may not need to be taken into account when communicating in Finnish, Swedish and English. Simply publishing multilingual communication on a website or video (e.g. on YouTube) is not enough; providing multichannel communications is also important, because multilingual information must be promoted through several channels in order to reach its target audience.

Immigrants in the labour market Employers may arrange services to help their employees settle in and integrate in Finland. Employers offer different kinds of services that support settlement and such services can also be purchased. Settling-in and...

Information on integration services for operators Immigrant integration can be supported by providing necessary services for the immigrant. These services are organised as part of municipalities’, employment authorities' and wellbeing services cou...

Other legislation relating to the promotion of integration The Administrative Procedure Act defines the principles of good administration The purpose of the Administrative Procedure Act is to implement and promote good governance and legal protect...

Information for those who work as a teacher Teachers face immigrants of different ages in their work. In the role of a teacher, you can support the development of readiness and competence as well as provide material in the person’s native language...

Education provides immigrants with linguistic skills and prerequisites for gaining employment Immigrants usually participate in the same early childhood education and care, education and training as the rest of the population. In addition to these...

Kela-services Kela (Social Insurance Institution of Finland) is responsible for the basic security of people living in Finland in different life situations. Kela benefits can usually be obtained if you work or live in Finland on a permanent basis....

Integration training Integration training is a key service that promotes the integration and employment of immigrants who have completed compulsory education and improves their social, cultural and everyday skills. Integration training also serves...

An authority may carry out the assessment itself or organise the specified measures included in the assessment as an outsourced service. However, the initial interview included in the assessment must always be conducted by a public official.