I had been working as a maths teacher in Japan for over 10 years, and I thought I had established my own teaching style, but at the same time, I felt like I was stuck in a rut. Recently, Japan’s education policy has been changing to emphasise the learning process over results, the use of ICT, and student independence. I was struggling to find the best way to adapt to these changes. That is why I decided to take a leave of absence and come to Finland, a country famous for its high educational standards and ICT use. Personally, I was also just interested in the Finnish environment and culture.
The teachers at Klassikka welcomed me warmly. Even though I didn’t understand Finnish at all, communication was smooth because everyone speaks fluent English. They kindly taught me about Finnish culture, the education system, and student life—things I wouldn’t have known otherwise.
I found the students at Klassikka to be very serious and well-behaved. I never saw a teacher scolding a student harshly. I felt this was a sign that they respect the students’ dignity and autonomy. In fact, I could see this mutual trust in many situations, such as students working freely outside the classroom during lessons or taking the lead in organising school events. This trust-based relationship is something we need to learn from.
The school’s ICT system was also impressive. For maths teaching, the system that allows teachers to see the students’ problem-solving process is excellent. It lets teachers understand each student’s progress and give feedback on their approach, not just the answer. I felt this gave me a valuable insight into how to tackle the challenges we face in Japan.
Originally, my main goal was to get ideas for maths teaching. During these six months, however, I learnt much more than I expected—about Finnish culture, people’s mindset, and their attitudes towards education. There were many other surprises, like the teachers’ working style and unique school events, but there are too many to list here. It was an experience I will probably never forget.
I want to thank the teachers, staff, and students of Klassikka for their kindness and hospitality.
Shohei Saito