Skip to main content

The 5-Dimensional Model: A Finnish Approach to Differentiation

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
International Perspectives on Diversity in ELT

Part of the book series: International Perspectives on English Language Teaching ((INPELT))

Abstract

This chapter focuses on differentiation in English language teaching. We present the 5-dimensional (5D) model of differentiation which has been created based on the Finnish educational context. The model is grounded in the postulate that differentiation is a proactive and student-centred approach that permeates all teaching and involves the entire school community. The 5D model progresses from general to specific. It advocates for differentiation to be implemented holistically in several dimensions of teaching which are teaching arrangements, learning environment, teaching methods, support materials and assessment. Furthermore, it proposes that all differentiation should be based on students’ individual characteristics, such as learning profile, self-esteem, interests, readiness, needs, motivation, personality and history.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ahtiainen, R., Beirad, M., Hautamäki, J., Hilasvuori, T., & Thuneberg, H. (2011). Samanaikaisopetus On Mahdollisuus. Tutkimus Helsingin Pilottikoulujen Uudistuvasta Opetuksesta. Helsinki Department of Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Basic Education Act. (628/1998). Available at: https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1998/en19980628.pdf. Accessed 24 Jan 2020.

  • Brooks, D. C. (2011). Space matters: The impact of formal learning environments on student learning. British Journal of Educational Technology, 42(5), 719–726.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Council of Europe. (n.d.). What is the ELP? Available at: https://www.coe.int/en/web/portfolio/introduction. Accessed 21 Jan 20.

  • Dörnyei, Z., & Ushioda, E. (2013). Teaching and researching motivation (2nd ed.). Routledge.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Finnish National Core Curriculum for Basic Education. (2014). (4th ed.). Helsinki: Finnish National Board of Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardner, H. (2008). Multiple intelligences: New horizons. Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harlen, W. (2012). On the relationship between assessment for formative and summative purposes. In J. Gardner (Ed.), Assessment and learning (pp. 87–102). Sage.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Hayward, L. (2012). Assessment and learning: The learner’s perspective. In J. Gardner (Ed.), Assessment and learning (pp. 125–139). Sage.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kivirauma, J., & Ruoho, K. (2007). Excellence through special education? Lessons from the Finnish school reform. International Review of Education, 53(3), 283–302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laari, A., Lakkala, S., & Uusiautti, S. (2021). “For the whole grade’s common good and based on the student’s own current situation”: Differentiated teaching and the choice of methods among Finnish teachers. Early Child Development and Care, 191(4), 598–611.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murawski, W. W., & Swanson, H. L. (2001). A meta-analysis of co-teaching research. Remedial and Special Education, 22(5), 258–267.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murdoch, K. (2015). The power of inquiry: Teaching and learning with curiosity, creativity and purpose in the contemporary classroom. Seastar Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakamura, J., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2009). Flow theory and research. In S. J. Lopez & C. R. Snyder (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of positive psychology (2nd ed., pp. 195–206). Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nikula, T., & Moore, P. (2019). Exploring translanguaging in CLIL. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 22(2), 237–249.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Official Statistics of Finland. (2018). Special education [e-publication]. Available at: https://www.stat.fi/til/erop/2018/erop_2018_2019-06-19_tie_001_en.html. Accessed 21 Jan 2020.

  • Pihko, M. K. (2007). Minä, Koulu ja Englanti. Vertaileva Tutkimus Englanninkielisen Sisällönopetuksen ja Perinteisen Englannin Opetuksen Affektiivisista Tuloksista. University of Jyväskylä.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rauste-von Wright, M., von Wright, J., & Soini, T. (2003). Oppiminen ja Koulutus. WSOY.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roiha, A. (2014). Teachers’ views on differentiation in content and language integrated learning (CLIL): Perceptions, practices and challenges. Language and Education, 28(1), 1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roiha, A., & Polso, J. (2020). How to succeed in differentiation? The Finnish approach. John Catt Educational.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scruggs, T. E., Mastropieri, M. A., & McDuffie, K. A. (2007). Co-teaching in inclusive classrooms: A metasynthesis of qualitative research. Exceptional Children, 73(4), 392–416.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stoller, F. (2002). Project work: A means to promote language and content. In J. Richards & W. Renandya (Eds.), Methodology in language teaching: An anthology of current practice (pp. 107–119). Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suprayogi, M. N., Valcke, M., & Godwin, R. (2017). Teachers and their implementation of differentiated instruction in the classroom. Teaching and Teacher Education, 67(2), 291–301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Symeonidis, V., & Schwarz, J. F. (2016). Phenomenon-based teaching and learning through the pedagogical lenses of phenomenology: The recent curriculum reform in Finland. Forum Oświatowe, 28(2), 31–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thousand, J. S., Villa, R. A., & Nevin, A. I. (2006). The many faces of collaborative planning and teaching. Theory into Practice, 45(3), 239–248.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thousand, J. S., Villa, R. A., & Nevin, A. I. (2007). Differentiating instruction: Collaborative planning and teaching for universally designed learning. Corwin Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tieso, C. (2005). The effects of grouping practices and curricular adjustments on achievement. Journal for the Education of the Gifted, 29(1), 60–89.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tomlinson, C. A. (2014). The differentiated classroom: Responding to the needs of all learners (2nd ed.). ASCD.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomlinson, C. A., & Imbeau, M. B. (2010). Leading and managing a differentiated classroom. ASCD.

    Google Scholar 

  • van Geel, M., Keuning, T., Frèrejean, J., Dolmansb, D., van Merriënboerb, J., & Visscher, A. J. (2019). Capturing the complexity of differentiated instruction. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 30(1), 51–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yeager, D. S., & Walton, G. M. (2011). Social-psychological interventions in education: They’re not magic. Review of Educational Research, 81(2), 267–301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Roiha, A., Polso, J. (2021). The 5-Dimensional Model: A Finnish Approach to Differentiation. In: Banegas, D.L., Beacon, G., Pérez Berbain, M. (eds) International Perspectives on Diversity in ELT. International Perspectives on English Language Teaching. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74981-1_12

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74981-1_12

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-74980-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-74981-1

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics