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Suomen kouluissa opiskellaan yhä vähemmän ja yhä harvempia vieraita kieliä. Valinnaisten kielten opiskelun suosio on laskenut, ja kielitaito on vaarassa jäädä pelkän englannin varaan. Erilaisia toimenpiteitä, kuten kielen opetuksen varhentaminen, on jo tehty. Ne eivät kuitenkaan ole juurikaan lisänneet muiden vieraiden kielten opiskelun suosiota, vaan valtaosa oppilaista ja opiskelijoista opiskelee edelleen vain englantia kotimaisten kielten lisäksi. Kysyimme kieltenopettajilta, millaisia keinoja eri kouluasteilla on jo ollut käytössä valintojen monipuolistamiseksi sekä millaisilla konkreettisilla keinoilla kielivalintoja vielä voitaisiin monipuolistaa. Aineisto on kerätty tammi-helmikuussa 2021 Webropol-kyselyllä, joka oli suunnattu eri koulutusasteiden kielten opettajille. Tulokset osoittavat, että oppilaitoksissa on jo tehty monia sellaisia toimenpiteitä, joihin opettajat ja koulut itse voivat vaikuttaa. Tulevaisuudessa kielivalintojen monipuolistamiseen toivotaan paikallisten toimien sijaan laajempia koulutuspoliittisia ratkaisuja. Studying optional languages is in decline in Finland. Often, English is the only language that is studied alongside Finnish and Swedish, the compulsory national languages. Measures such as starting the study of foreign languages earlier have not had a significant effect on the situation. In this paper, we discuss language teachers’ (n=349) views on what has been done and what could and should be done to increase studying optional languages. The data were collected in January-February 2021 via a Webropol questionnaire that was distributed to language teachers at a range of institutions from pre-primary to adult education. The results show that teachers and schools have taken numerous measures to try to attract students. However, rather than local measures, the participants called for nationwide educational policies that would address the issue. peerReviewed

The objective of this research was to determine critical properties of wood fuels in respect of power plant availability, to determine the optimal conditions for reducing detriments, and to study the effect of storing and processing of wood fuels on the boiler operation. Both, the circulating (CFB) and bubbling (BFB) fludized bed technologies were studied. The project started in December 2000 and it was ended in March 2003. Experts at VTT Processes carried out the ma-jority of the research activities. System Technology Laboratory of Oulu Univer-sity was responsible for the power plant automation and for the research on boiler control technology. Co-operation related to the analytics of heat transfer surface deposition and corrosion with the EU's JRC has continued as established in the Combustion of Forest Chips -project but mainly in a so-called "CORBI"-EU-project. Additionally, VTT co-operated with Swedish Värmeforsk Ab in the form of information exchange on experiences of wood fuel utilisation in Swed-ish power plants. The following companies participated in the project: Etelä-Savon Energia Oy, Foster Wheeler Energia Oy, Kvaerner Pulping Oy, Simpele pasteboard factory of M-Real Oyj and Värmeforsk Ab (Sweden).

The objective of this research was to characterise the deposit build-up and its effect on heat transfer in biomass (especially wood) combustion. With the knowledge gained in this project it is possible to develop the methodologies and mathematical models for better understanding of changes in heat transfer caused by wood combustion. With the models and simulations interrelation between fuel constituents and deposit formation tendency can be described and the causalities between heat transfer, in-furnace conditions and fuel & fuel-ash characteristics established. The results can be used in estimating and optimising the factors that have effect on plant's availability. Furthermore, we can estimate the effects caused by some problematic fuel blends and additives on heat transfer, which are not otherwise possible to study. In general, the results can be used in enhancing boiler availability and the use of wood fuels. Project started in March 2003 and it was ended in March 2004. Experts of the Energy Production research field at VTT Processes carried out the majority of the research activities. System Technology Laboratory of Oulu University was responsible for the power plant automation and for the research on boiler control technology. Following companies participated in the project: Etelä-Savon Energia Oy, Foster Wheeler Energia Oy, Vapo Oy, Simpele pasteboard factory of M-Real Oyj and Coresto Oy.

The objective of this research is to determine critical properties of wood fuels in respect of power plant availability, to determine the optimal conditions for reducing detriments, and to study the effect of storing and processing of wood fuels on the boiler operation. Both, the CFB and BFB technologies are studied. The project started in December 2000 and it will be ended in March 2003. Experts of the Energy Production research field at VTT Processes carry out the majority of the research activities. Experts in the research field of Mineral Processing, located in Outokumpu, participate in analytics, and the research field of Material and Manufacturing Technology of VTT Industrial Systems in Otaniemi participates in the research on material effects. System Technology Laboratory of Oulu University, under the supervision of Professor Urpo Kortela, is responsible for the power plant automation and for the research on boiler control technology. Co-operation related to the analytics of heat transfer surface deposition and corrosion with the EU's JRC has continued as established in the Combustion of Forest Chips -project but mainly in a so-colled "CORBI"-EU-project. Additionally, VTT co-operates with Swedish Värmeforsk Ab in the form of information exchange on experiences of wood fuel utilization in Swedish power plants. The following companies participate in the project: Etelä-Savon Energia Oy, Foster Wheeler Energia Oy, Kvaerner Pulping Oy, Simpele pasteboard factory of M-Real Oyj and Värmeforsk Ab (Sweden).