Teacher training

Teachers are the cornerstone of any education system. Good quality teacher education directly contributes to improvements in student learning. Learn here how you can make the most of Finnish teacher education systems and practices in your context with various solutions.

Teachers educate the problem solvers and future leaders of the world, helping countries further develop socially and economically and building a better future for the next generations. The importance of good teacher training is vital, as it gives the teachers the methods to guide their students in the right direction, as well as understanding the subject they teach. 

Examples of Finnish teacher training offering include:

  • Pre-service teacher education and trainings
  • Ongoing professional support for teachers through ICT
  • ICT skills to teachers to support education processes
  • Practicums linking theory with practice in teaching
  • Versatile teaching and assessment methodologies
  • Education solutions for students with special needs 
  • Considering individual needs of students in teaching
  • Co-creation, co-planning and teaching in groups of teachers
  • School Immersion and Teacher Innovation Program
     

 

Examples of our members' teacher training services to developing market

EduCluster Finland Ltd is a company wholly owned by 3 educational institutions which deliver teacher training to all levels and all roles. In the past two decades EduCluster has delivered teacher training all around the world. EduCluster also establishes and operates their own schools which entails training teachers from all nationalities and in many different international destinations. EduCluster’s various teacher training projects have been delivered in China, India, Kazakhstan, Ethiopia, Kosovo, Mexico, UAE, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Chile, and Qatar.

EduExcellence Ltd provides all types of teacher training, also in multidisciplinary domain. At EduExcellence’s member institutions, teachers meet high qualification requirements and they are trained with pedagogical competencies, motivating and diverse learning environments, student-centered teaching methods and individual learning paths, competence-based flexible curricula allowing individual study paths, diverse career guidance and study counselling services in every phase of studies, outstanding cooperation with the working-life in curricula designing and implementation, and excellent capacity to respond to the life-long learning needs in workinglife. EduExcellence also provides degree programs in professional teacher training and educational management.

FGES provides a wide selection of services for teacher training. FGES’s Finnish-inspired pre-service teacher education programmes provide a solid foundation in pedagogy, classroom management, and student-centred teaching methods. Their continuous professional development through diverse ICT tools allows teachers to access resources, collaborate with peers, and enhance their teaching skills wherever they are. FGES’s teacher training emphasizes the seamless integration of theory with practice, ensuring that all theoretical knowledge is applied in real classroom settings. Practical application tasks provide hands-on experience, helping teachers build confidence and refine their skills. FGES’s programmes promote collaboration among teachers, encouraging co-creation, co-planning, and team teaching. This approach enhances teacher agency and motivation, creating a supportive community that fosters innovation and shared responsibility in teaching.

FinlandWay Schools teacher training program for Early Years educators is a cornerstone of their offering. By providing a tech-enabled, on-the-job upskilling program, they align with the UN SDG educational goals, empowering local teachers to deliver high-quality education. The training programme covers multiple themes, including considering students' individual needs, good pedagogical plannign processes, positive pedagogy and participatory, phenomenon-based pedagogy

HAAGA-HELIA offers tailor-made vocational teacher training packages and facilitates the adoption and development of new operating practices. Vocational teacher education is meant for both practicing teachers and other applicants who intend to work as qualified teachers. Haaga-Helia also offers consultation in the formulation of curricula, the utilization of new teaching methods as well as the development of quality systems.

Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK), with over 60 years of experience in teacher training, offers professional teacher education, guidance counselor education, and special needs teacher education through consecutive teacher education programs, available in blended, hybrid, and online formats These programs are based on leading educational research. Internationally, HAMK supports educational development and reform at all levels and across all sectors, delivering development projects tailored to the local context and created in close collaboration with the client. HAMK’s teacher education programs focus on modern pedagogical methods, including digital pedagogy, learner-centered approaches, and strategies for integrating soft skills and sustainability into curricula. Teachers are equipped with skills in learning design, classroom management, assessment methods, and the use of digital tools to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.

ISKU’s flexible and ergonomic furniture solutions create optimal learning spaces that improve focus, engagement, and learning outcomes. By supporting both traditional and modern teaching methods, these spaces enhance the overall learning experience and improve the well-being of teachers and students.

JAMK's teacher training programs aim to equip future educators with essential skills in pedagogy, learner-centered methods, and classroom management. Emphasizing practical training and professional development, these programs prepare teachers for the demands of modern education, incorporating innovative techniques and digital tools to foster diverse learning environments. The curriculum includes training on integrating technology into education, enhancing digital competencies, and understanding the pedagogical significance of ICT. 
JAMK emphasizes linking theory with practice through practicums, tailored curriculum development, and practical training focused on teaching methodologies and student engagement. Ongoing professional development is provided to refine teaching skills and integrate technology effectively. Additionally, JAMK offers specialized training for special needs educators equipping them to support diverse learners through inclusive practices and the use of assistive technologies, fostering supportive learning environments for all students.

Learning Scoop provides professional support for teachers through ICT, including  self-study online courses, online PD programs & webinars, practicums linking theory with practice in teaching, professional development programs for teachers and principals, and onsite trainings. Learning Scoop’s teacher training services present the best Finnish pedagogical practices and help the participants to apply them in their everyday work. The aim is to prepare participants for further development of their working approach, methods and practices in order to create pedagogically sound and meaningful action. 

The OEP School Immersion and Teacher Innovation Program empowers educators and school leaders worldwide by enhancing their professional skills, leadership capabilities, and innovative teaching methods. Participants gain firsthand experience with Finnish and Global best practices through immersion in top-performing schools in Finland. The school immersion is combined with university level pedagogical courses, workshops, and mentoring from Finnish education experts. During the program, participants design and implement a personal development project to enhance innovations in their own school and community.

Otava  has produced several books and learning materials to support teacher education. 

Polar partners offers ready, asynchronous online teacher training courses related to teaching methods, assessment, special education and teaching of transversal skills.
Offering varies from online / onsite training options for small groups (20 people) to massive courses for 1 000+ people.

Tampere University has designed a specific professional development programme for teacher education institutions interested in enhancing the quality of their teacher training. Mentored Teacher Education Programme supports the educational institutions to create an operational model for enhancing the pre-service teachers’ professional growth and development processes. It also aims to support the development of pedagogical practices for the benefit of pupils, teacher students and the whole school including collaboration with the teachers, curriculum work and pedagogical leadership. The programme can be implemented in either hybrid or online format.  The programme has been piloted in Brazil with Universidade Feevale in Novo Hamburgo in 2023 with positive feedback. For more information, please contact Key Account Manager Niina Nyyssölä, e-mail: niina.nyyssola@tuni.fi. 

University of Eastern Finland (UEF) offers comprehensive teacher education programs grounded in the latest research. UEF’s multidisciplinary approach combines academic expertise, research-based knowledge, and innovative pedagogy to equip you with the skills and insights needed to excel in today´s school. More information about their offering: https://finlanduniversity.com/solutions/education/ 

University of Turku (UTU) offers training and consultancy services for universities and organizations in pre-service teacher education, focusing on curriculum and teaching method development. Training is available online, onsite, or in hybrid formats, with durations customized to specific topics.
UTU also provides in-service training for teachers in primary and lower secondary schools (ages 7–16), with content adaptable for early childhood (ages 0–7) and upper secondary (ages 16–19) contexts. These programs enhance understanding of STEAM pedagogy and project-based teaching, empowering educators to create engaging and sustainable learning environments. Additionally, UTU's training for in-service teachers includes strategies for supporting students with special needs, helping educators develop multi-tiered support models to improve learning and well-being. Training combines interactive lectures with practical exercises, allowing participants to apply knowledge to their own contexts.
UTU conducts study visits and school immersion programs at its Teacher Training Schools in Turku and Rauma. These include job shadowing and classroom observations, helping participants find applicable solutions for their classrooms. Immersion program durations are customized based on needs.

VisitEDUfinn’s mission is to promote the good practices of Finnish education, offering cost-effective solutions for education professionals from around the world who are interested in benchmarking Finnish schools and the Finnish Education System. VisitEDUfinn organizes school visits, study tours, courses, educational conferences, and job shadowing in Finland in a sustainable way, along with training programs worldwide to inspire teachers, principals, and local authorities. Their training program includes courses for all important categories of education, from K-12 Education to AI, Tech and Digital. 
 

More information on TPD services provided by EF members
Teacher education is one of the services that is often requested from Education Finland members. We have put up a separate website to describe the offer in teacher professional development. While the contents there are not specifically tailored for developing contexts, they might provide interesting insights into the approach and solutions our members provide.