ABSTRACT
Teachers of English are highly qualifi ed and appreciated as professionals in Finland (unlike in some other countries). They are in great demand, as English is viewed as a necessity these days, and it is almost taken for granted that all Finns have learnt to speak the language. English has become an integral aspect of their lives, including spare-time activities, school, work, and travel. English is the most popular language studied in schools: well over 90 percent of school children start studying it as the fi rst foreign language from Grade 3 or from the age of nine onwards. Unfortunately, this is taking place at the expense of studying other foreign languages. The status of English has been changing in the country to the extent that it is becoming a lingua franca (ELF), especially with the ever-increasing numbers of foreigners who fi nd themselves in the country for a host of reasons such as travel, work, study, and politics.
