Iman Weli, Sahro Ibrahim and Emran Ahmad work as multilingual instructors at playgrounds. Photo: Roni Rekomaa
- Next Article Strikes in Finnish tech industry continue after union rejects 7% pay rise over three years
Helsinki has introduced multilingual instructors to playgrounds in five districts to support families with diverse language backgrounds. The initiative aims to improve access to free activities and provide immigrant families with essential information about city services.
The instructors work in Mellunkylä-Vuosaari, Myllypuro-Vartiokylä, Munkkiniemi-Haaga, Kaarela, and Malmi-Latokartano.
Their role is to guide, advise, and support immigrant residents, helping them navigate services such as daycare and after-school activities. They also work directly with children, assisting with integration and, where possible, supporting the development of their mother tongue.
Sofia Hildén, project coordinator at Helsinki’s Education Division, said the programme was created to address challenges in reaching all residents through playground services. She explained that multilingual instructors encourage newly immigrated and foreign-language families to participate in community activities while also providing information about other available services.
Each instructor operates at five to six playgrounds in their designated area and can also be called upon by other locations as needed. They speak Finnish, English, Somali, Arabic, Russian, Sorani Kurdish, and Turkmen, but assist all families regardless of language background.
Beyond playgrounds, the instructors collaborate with maternity and child health clinics, schools, and other local networks. They also train their colleagues in interacting with families from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
Multilingual instructors are also stationed at schools, daycare centres, and other educational institutions. Helsinki currently employs 32 multilingual instructors, with five at playgrounds, eight at daycare centres, 11 at comprehensive schools, four at general upper secondary schools, two at adult education centres, and two in Swedish-language services.
The initiative, funded through an integration support appropriation until the end of 2025, started in early 2024, with the latest hires joining in October. However, the city aims to make key aspects, such as multilingual instructors in playgrounds, a permanent service.
Helsinki’s playgrounds also offer activities for stay-at-home parents, including weekly Finnish language learning clubs. The initiative aligns with Finland’s new Integration Act, which has expanded municipal responsibilities for immigrant integration.
Read about the experiences of multilingual instructors Sahro Ibrahim, Iman Weli and Emran Ahmadi working at playgrounds.
HT
- Next Article Strikes in Finnish tech industry continue after union rejects 7% pay rise over three years
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
