Happy Lingo: an early English teaching program
Happy Lingo is a unique program combining the world-famous Finnish early education methods with learning English. Happy Lingo was developed to meet the growing demand for a structured, playful, and effective English learning program for young children.
This program is not a standalone offering, but an add-on to our Toolkit Curriculum, a play‑based early education program inspired by Finland’s National Core Curriculum, allowing any kindergarten or preschool to adopt Finnish‑style learning.
What's included:
- A unique curriculum for 4 age groups (from 2-6 years old)
- 40 weeks of planned curriculum material for each age group
- 40+ vocabulary learning activities
- 60+ games and activities focused on sounds, blending, digraphs and high-frequency words
- 1 free live Get Started-session with our pedagogical expert to guide you through the program
Training: a comprehensive, personalized implementation training is available for purchase to ensure a smooth and seamless integration of the Happy Lingo English Program into your preschool or kindergarten.
Who is this program for:
This program is for preschools and kindergartens who want to offer impactful English teaching in their school for children aged 2-6. The English Program is available exclusively as an add-on to our Toolkit Curriculum, a comprehensive
Happy Lingo is an add-on to our Finland-inspired Early Curriculum currently trusted in 30+ countries
The Toolkit Curriculum is a play‑based early education program inspired by Finland’s National Core Curriculum, allowing any kindergarten or preschool to adopt Finnish‑style learning.
Did you know that Finland is among top 10 non-English speaking countries with excellent English?
Finland's high English proficiency is a result of their practical educational approach. Unlike other approaches that emphasize academic mastery and rote memorization, Finnish schools prioritize equipping students with practical language skills for both daily communication and professional interactions. Source: EF EPI Report 2020
Teach English the Finnish way involves
Traditional English programs often rely on repetitive drills and textbooks. In contrast, the Finnish approach places children at the center of it all, incorporating movement, play, and active participation learning methods. Research shows these techniques are far more effective for language learning.
Research from the University of Oxford found that children who had guided-play lessons made almost 1.5 times the progress in language development compared to their peers, gaining about 7–8 months of growth in just 20 weeks. Read the study.
Research from the University of Helsinki highlights that pedagogical play and playful teacher language act as key drivers for children’s communication and participation in early childhood education, particularly in linguistically diverse settings. See the full study.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Happy Lingo a stand-alone program?
No. Happy Lingo is an additional English program specifically designed to complement our curricula, developed by HEI Schools.
If you are planning to take a complete preschool or kindergarten concept from us, such as HEI Schools® and Lillipods®, Happy Lingo is natively embedded into those curricula, allowing you to commence English instruction immediately upon opening your school.
Alternatively, if you are utilizing the Toolkit Curriculum to enhance an existing preschool, Happy Lingo is available as an additional purchase. This program is thoughtfully structured to work perfectly with the current activities and lesson plans provided within the Toolkit Curriculum.
What age groups does the program teach?
Happy Lingo, a language learning program, caters to children aged 2 to 6, as recent research suggests that this age group is neurologically optimal for language learning.
Does the program have different age groups and learning levels?
Happy Lingo provides four learning stages, covering everything from verbal communication and self-expression to the development of reading and writing skills. Based on your school’s requirements and the children’s level of English readiness, we will guide you in selecting the most suitable stage for each group. To support you in implementing the program, we also offer a live training session with our pedagogical expert to ensure a smooth and effective start.
Can I still benefit from Happy Lingo if English is the primary language in my country?
Absolutely. Happy Lingo provides a research-backed, immersive approach to effective English instruction. Drawing inspiration from pedagogical practices in Finnish and leading global preschools, Happy Lingo offers your school an ideal program to teach English the renowned "Finnish way," regardless of whether English is your first language.
How much time does English learning require in our weekly schedule?
The program is flexible and designed to fit your existing timetable. During our first live training, we'll help you determine optimal time allocation based on your specific needs and schedule.
What training and support do you provide?
As a standard offering, each school receives one live training session to facilitate a smooth setup. Additionally, we provide advanced and tailored training packages available for purchase, designed to ensure your school effectively utilizes the program and empowers educators to integrate it smoothly with other existing curricula.
How much does Happy Lingo cost?
Happy Lingo is already part of the HEI Schools® and Lillipods® preschool concepts, so you can access it at no extra cost.
For users of the Toolkit Curriculum, a small fee applies. For detailed pricing information, please reach out to your sales manager or customer success manager.
If you’re considering using the Toolkit Curriculum and are now convinced by this additional program, please also contact our partnerships team to discuss the pricing of both the Toolkit Curriculum and Happy Lingo.

