Seminar paper from the year 2008 in the subject Speech Science / Linguistics, grade: 1.7, Åbo Akademi University Vasa, language: English, abstract: Finland is an officially bilingual country with the two national languages Swedish and Finnish. The language situation nowadays bases on the history of the country and important decisions made throughout the years. This thesis will at first show the historical background of the language development and describe the contemporary language situation. Afterwards the development of the language situation in Finnish education will be presented and in the end the special (language) situation of the Åland islands will be described.

This essay will not deal with the treatment of other languages than Finnish and Swedish in Finland. There exist for example regulations concerning the Nordic and Sámi languages (cp. McRae, 1999, p. 230-231). In addition, it will not treat preschool education, adult education or vocational education.