Case Studies

Throughout the 1990’s, the preschools of Flemingsberg had different educational efforts focusing on Swedish as a second language for children to develop a rich language. In 2000 they received funding from the “Metropolitan Initiative” they contacted Ph.D. Veli Tuomela. This resulted in the project Language Development approach that began with a lecture series for all educators. It was followed by several auscultations of each pedagog and observations on how they work with language development on a daily basis. Educators have learned and become aware of how they use their language in all situations and see them as learning opportunities.
The funding provided an opportunity to collaborate with the local library and create the project.

To strengthen the languages by reading in the mother tongue as well as in Swedish. To provide children with literature in their mother tongue.

Together with the Library the preschools of Flemingsberg created the project. First the pedagogs mapped out which languages were spoken in the group of children. After that they did research on the books available in the different mother tongues of their pupils with the librarians. For each language a book bag was made, with four-five books in it. The bag could consist of Swedish books translated into the mother tongue or books from their respective country.
After reading a book the pupil handed in reflections on the reading, a description on how it had gone or a story about the process.
The pedagogs also held the parent meetings at the library to show the close collaboration, as well as to present material in the different languages to the parents. The parents then found cook-books, magazines and books in their mother tongue

It resulted in increased reading in the mother tongue. The preschools also continued with close collaboration with the library. Still today all new pedagogs at the Preschools of Flemingsberg get an introduction at the library so that they can work with reading in different languages.

To find new collaboration partners and to spread the idea of working with the mother tongue to strengthen both the mother tongue as well as the Swedish language.

Several lectures given on how they work with multilingualism

This project is transversal and very easy to adapt to any learning situation. The project also has the aspect of interculturalism and bilingualism. These are the criteria that I found relevant for the preschools of Flemingsberg:


1. Comprehensive approach. Every element of the language initiative should ensure that the needs of the students are identified and met.
2. Added value. Initiatives should provide a tangible improvement in the teaching and learning of languages in their national context.
3. Motivation enhancement. Initiatives should motivate the students and teachers to improve their language skills.
4. Innovation. Initiatives should be original and creative. They should introduce previously unknown approaches to language learning.
5. European emphasis. Initiatives should be adapted to Europe's linguistic diversity and make use of this advantage.
6. Transferability. Initiatives should potentially be a source of inspiration for other language projects in different countries.

The preschools of Flemingsberg have for a long time aimfully worked with further training for their staff in order to stimulate language learning in both the mother tongue and in Swedish for their pupils. They have done so in cooperation with the library and parents.