Finnish language 1Laajuus (5 ECTS)

Objective

You will learn what Finnish language is like, what are the differences between spoken and written Finnish and how to pronounce it. You will be able to introduce yourself in Finnish and explain about yourself, family, and how you live. You will learn to understand short texts and simple messages, as well as how to write sentences and short, simple texts when given a model. You learn to pick out interesting and important words from your living environment and everyday texts, such as advertisements or signs. You will be able to understand and use everyday words and phrases, such as greetings and colloquial expressions. You can ask common questions and reply to them. You will also learn how to use various language learning materials and tools, such as textbooks, dictionaries, and apps.

Content

The course covers the special characteristics of the Finnish language, such as vowel harmony and consonant gradation. You will learn basic greetings, common adjectives, numeric words (times, dates, prices) as well as times (days of the week, months, seasons) and other everyday vocabulary of Finnish way of living. Grammar focuses on interrogative words and sentences, present form of the verb, the “t-plural”, the partitive and genitive cases as well as forming a sentence (simple and possessive sentences).

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Students’ competences are evaluated through multiple evaluation methods and criteria. The evaluation is continuous in order to support learning and it does not happen only at the end of a course.

Teacher, peer, and self-evaluation are all used when evaluating. Evaluation is a part of student guidance and its aim is to make the student aware and able to evaluate their own competences and to develop them further.
All courses are evaluated numerically on scale 0–5, and the courses use joint evaluation criteria (see below). Pass-fail evaluation may only be used if it is not possible to determine common learning goals for all students of the course. The implementation plan of each course has more detailed information about the evaluation.
Joint evaluation criteria:

FAIL
The student has not achieved the course objectives. They are able to identify and use only a few course subject area’s concepts and cannot apply their knowledge.
1–2
The student has achieved the course objectives fairly. They are able to identify and use the course subject area’s concepts and understand the conditions of knowledge and skills development.

* Students of the pilot implementation in 2023-2024 do not need to be eligible to higher education. An applicant is eligible to higher education if they have completed
• Finnish matriculation examination,
• Finnish vocational qualification,
• Non-Finnish degree, which gives eligibility to higher education in said country or
• Non-Finnish university degree.

If the applicants cannot prove their qualification with a certificate, they must be granted a refugee status (a decision on refuge or a residence permit based on international protection).
** The pilot programme in 2023-2024 is organised as blended learning, where most of the studies are carried out online. There will also non-mandatory meetings and visits to the campuses of the universities of applied sciences that are organizing the preparatory programme.
*** In the pilot implementation 2023-2024, the students may also get guidance and support for their studies in Ukrainian and Russian.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

3–4
The student has achieved the course objectives well, even though the knowledge and skills need improvement in some areas. They are able to use the course concepts well and to apply their knowledge in study and work situations. The student is able to analyse their own knowledge and skills.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

5
The student has achieved the objectives of the course very well. They know the course subject area’s concepts well and are able to make justified and fluent analysis on course subject area. The student is well prepared to apply their knowledge and skills in study and work situations. They are able to analyse the competencies of the study field and the development of their own knowledge and skills.