Finnish as a Second Language: Finnish at WorkLaajuus (5 cr)

Objective

On completion of the course, the students will recognise their proficiency level, and know how to improve their language skills independently during and after the professional studies. Furthermore, the student will identify and understand the situational variation of language, especially the difference between formal and informal style. The student will also identify, understand and analyse as well as summarise even complex field-specific or generally working-life related source texts. Further, the student will be able to write clear, structured and coherent texts about both field-specific and generally working-life related topics. The purpose of the course is to attain such proficiency in Finnish as to allow the students to complete studies, and write their Bachelor’s thesis and maturity test in Finnish, as well as to work in their profession, improve in it, and participate in both written and oral communication in Finnish working life.

The objective of the course is level B2.2 as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), and the course provides guidance and tools for the student to achieve even level C (proficient user).

Content

• Revision of grammatical structures
• Structures typical in especially written documents and summaries
• Situational variation of language, especially the use of formal and informal Finnish
• Texts and communication practices related to one’s own field and working life
• Self-assessing one’s language and communication skills
• Developing learning strategies

Qualifications

Good command of Finnish: at least level B2.1 as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student will be able to
• write comprehensible, clear, coherent texts in terms of vocabulary and structure
• produce written texts relevant to the field and other areas of professional life, expressing information and opinions fluently and taking into account the requirements and principles of the degree of formality of the different types of texts
• independently read long texts on relevant and general topics and find the main points in them
• give expert presentations in their field of study
• receive feedback and seek to apply it to their work and output.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student will be able to
• use sophisticated sentence structures and linguistic means to produce clear, coherent texts
• write clear and detailed texts in accordance with the degree of formality required for the type of text, in line with the requirements of the field and working life, expressing information and opinions accurately and in such a way that deviations from the norm do not lead to misunderstandings
• independently read long texts on subjects relevant to their field of work and professional life, identify the main points of the text and recognise the intention of the author and the text
• prepare and deliver expert presentations in their professional field
• use a wide range of vocabulary in their field of work and specialisation with relative fluency
• assess their own language skills and identify areas for improvement.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student will be able to
• use language structures and a wide vocabulary well and not be restricted by a limited vocabulary
• produce clear, detailed and well-structured texts in line with the level of formality and style required by the field and professional environment in which they work
• read independently long and complex texts for different purposes, explaining the main points of what they have read and recognising the author's attitude and the purpose of the text
• prepare and deliver professional presentations in a clear and fluent manner
• express themselves effectively
• develop their language skills in a purposeful way.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student will be able to
• write comprehensible, clear, coherent texts in terms of vocabulary and structure
• produce written texts relevant to the field and other areas of professional life, expressing information and opinions fluently and taking into account the requirements and principles of the degree of formality of the different types of texts
• independently read long texts on relevant and general topics and find the main points in them
• give expert presentations in their field of study
• receive feedback and seek to apply it to their work and output.

Further information

The course is compulsory for students in Finnish-language degree programmes whose language of education is not Finnish. A student's programme of study also includes other Finnish language and communication studies in the degree programme.