Study Guide

Learning outcomes

The student is able to:
- speak and understand Finnish in very basic and familiar everyday situations
- find information in very short texts and write simple messages
- use some of the basic grammar structures
- become familiar with Finnish cultural manners and customs
- reach the target level of A1.1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

Teaching methods

Contact lessons & individual and group assignments

Location and time

In the beginning of the spring period 2020 (Jan-Feb) in Laurea Tikkurila

Learning materials and recommended literature

The book: Suomen mestari 1: suomen kielen oppikirja aikuisille / Sonja Gehring, Sanni Heinzmann (available in the Laurea library, in other libraries and in bookstores)
Some teacher's own material also
Material for independent studying available in libraries, e.g.: Kuparinen & Tapaninen: Sun suomi. Finnish for beginners. 2013. Otava.
Material for independent studying available in Internet, e.g.:
- A taste of Finnish: http://tasteoffinnish.fi/
- Easy Finnish. http://oppiminen.yle.fi/suomi-finnish/easyfinnish
- Supisuomea. http://yle.fi/vintti/yle.fi/supisuomea/01/index.html
- Infopankki. www.infopankki.fi

Forms of internationality

The course is aimed at exchange students

Students workload

5 cr = 127 hours of student's work. Contact lessons approx. 40 hours, independent studies and a project work in a group approx 87 hours.

Further information for students

No prerequisites required.
Required attendance: 80 % of lessons unless otherwise agreed.

Grading scale

H-5

Evaluation methods and criteria

The course assessment consists of three equally important parts:
1) Presentation of oral skills; a dialogue prepared as a pair or group work OR a video clip of you coping in Finnish in a real life situation. Evaluation P/F.
2) A project work presented in a poster; prepared as a pair or group work. Evaluation 1-5.
3) A written assessment of everyday vocabulary, phrases and grammar. Evaluation 1-5.
The course aims at CEFR level A1. For further information please see description: https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/en/resources/european-language-levels-cefr

Evaluation criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

The student can understand a few familiar words and very basic phrases concerning oneself, family and immediate concrete surroundings when people speak very slowly and clearly.
The student can use some simple phrases and sentences to describe where one lives and people one knows.
The student can understand familiar names, some words and very simple sentences, for example on notices and posters or in catalogues.
The student can write a short, simple message, for example a shopping list. The student can fill in forms with personal details, for example entering my name, nationality and address on a registration form.

Evaluation criteria, good (3-4)

The student can understand familiar words and basic phrases concerning oneself, family and immediate concrete surroundings when people speak very slowly and clearly.
The student can use some simple phrases and sentences to describe where one lives and people one knows.
The student can interact in a very simple way provided the other person is prepared to repeat or rephrase things at a slower rate of speech and help one formulate what one is trying to say. The student can ask and answer simple questions in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics.
The student can understand familiar names, words and very simple sentences, for example on notices and posters or in catalogues.
The student can write a short, simple message, for example holiday greetings. The student can fill in forms with personal details, for example entering name, nationality and address on a registration form.

Evaluation criteria, excellent (5)

The student can understand familiar words and basic phrases concerning oneself, family and immediate concrete surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly.
The student can use simple phrases and sentences to describe where one lives and people one knows.
The student can interact in a simple way provided the other person is prepared to repeat or rephrase things at a slower rate of speech and help one formulate what one is trying to say. The student can ask and answer simple questions in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics.
The student can understand familiar names, words and simple sentences, for example on notices and posters or in catalogues.
The student can write a short, simple message, for example holiday greetings. The student can fill in forms with personal details, for example entering name, nationality and address on a registration form.

Further information

The study unit is for those whose language of education and mother tongue are other than Finnish and Swedish and who have not studied Finnish before.