Opinto-opas

Objective

On completion of the course the student will recognize his or her proficiency level, and know how to improve his or her language skills independently during and after the professional studies. He or she is also able to communicate sufficiently both orally and in writing to an audience within and outside the field.
Furthermore, the student will identify the situational variation of language, especially the difference between formal and informal style. The student will also identify, understand and summarize texts related to social field or social work. Further, the student will be able to write clear and coherent texts about both field-specific and general working-life related topics.

Content

Revision of grammatical structures. Understanding the situational variation of language, especially the use of formal and informal Finnish. Oral communication in working-life related situations. Reading, reporting and writing texts related to the social field and working life. Self-assessing one’s language and communication skills and developing learning strategies.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Structures typical in written documents
- The students’ vocabulary and grammar are sufficient for writing comprehensible and almost mistake-free texts. They are familiar with the linguistic means for writing clear and coherent text.

Differences between formal and informal style
- The students identify the requirements and principles of different forms of communication and take them into account in their texts.

Understanding and composing field-specific and working life related texts and oral conversation
- The students can independently read texts on general and field-related topics. They identify the main points in a text. The students are able to communicate information and their own views, also in oral conversations.

Assessment and development of one’s own language skills
- The students receive feedback and make an effort to apply it in their oral and written communication.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Structures typical in written documents
- The students are able to use relatively complex sentence structures and linguistic means to write clear and coherent text. They have a relatively extensive knowledge of the terminology of their own field and working life related topics. Language errors may occur but do not cause misunderstandings.

Differences between formal and informal style
- The students are able to compose texts required in their own field and working life taking into account the requirements of the different formats for communication.

Understanding and composing field-specific and working life related texts and oral conversation
- The students can independently read long texts related to their own field and working life. They are able to find the main points in a text and identify the purpose of the writer and the text. The students are able to write clear, detailed texts and express information and views quite precisely, also in oral conversations.

Assessment and development of one’s own language skills
- The students are able to assess their own language skills and propose development objectives.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Structures typical in written documents
- The students have a good command of grammar and an extensive vocabulary. Their ability to express themselves in writing is not restricted by inadequate language skills.

Differences between formal and informal style
- The students are able to compose texts required in their own field and working life taking into account the different requirements for formal or informal communication.

Understanding and composing field-specific and working life related texts and oral conversation
- The students are able to independently read a wide range of texts. They are able to summarize the main points and identify the writer’s attitude and the purpose of the text. The students are able to compose clear, detailed and well-structured texts required in their own field and working life. They express themselves efficiently, also in oral conversations.

Assessment and development of one’s own language skills
- The students are willing and able to develop their language skills purposefully.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

Structures typical in written documents
- The students’ vocabulary and grammar are sufficient for writing comprehensible and almost mistake-free texts. They are familiar with the linguistic means for writing clear and coherent text.

Differences between formal and informal style
- The students identify the requirements and principles of different forms of communication and take them into account in their texts.

Understanding and composing field-specific and working life related texts and oral conversation
- The students can independently read texts on general and field-related topics. They identify the main points in a text. The students are able to communicate information and their own views, also in oral conversations.

Assessment and development of one’s own language skills
- The students receive feedback and make an effort to apply it in their oral and written communication.

Qualifications

A student attending the course is to have the minimum language proficiency level of an independent user B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages developed by the Council of Europe. The course provides guidance and tools for the student to achieve level B2 (independent user).

Further information

The course is obligatory for the students of Degree Programme in Social Services, whose language of school education is not Finnish, whose Finnish skills are B2 or lower, and who have been exempted from Swedish studies.