Finnish 1 (A1.2) (5 cr)

Objective

On completion of the course, the student will understand simple and clearly spoken Finnish in very familiar everyday situations. The student will be able to tell briefly about their background, home and daily routines and understand very short texts about familiar topics. The student’s communication skills will correspond to the skill level A1 as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Content

• Oral and written communication in simple everyday situations and daily routines: meeting and getting to know people, telling basic things about oneself, one’s family, and the course of the day, simple shopping situations
• Basic grammar structures, for example verb types, conjugating verbs in the present tense, basic form plural of nouns and adjectives, singular partitive and genitive, consonant gradation, possessive structures, asking questions
• Key characteristics of spoken Finnish
• Basic features of the Finnish culture and customs

Materials

Gehring, Sonja & Heinzmann, Sanni: Suomen mestari 1, Finn Lectura. The renewed edition (2020 or newer), chapters 1 – 5. Available also as an electronic copy.

Teaching methods

This course will include a variety of methodologies, such as lectures, discussions, individual and group work, flipped learning and Wordwall-exercises.

Exam schedules

Vocabulary tests every 3 weeks. Oral and written exam are held in end of the course. The exact dates to be announced on the first lesson.

Resit will be in the beginning of the next semester, if not announced otherwise.

Student workload

- 5 credit course = 135 hours of work
- 45 hours work during the contact / online classes
- 90 hours independent work

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The students are able to
• tell basic things about themselves and about their course of the day
• understand similar information in the communication partner’s speech
• identify the verb types and verb conjugation in familiar texts
• identify the nominal declension in familiar texts
• identify the consonant change in familiar words
• recognise some basic features of the Finnish language and culture.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The students are able to
• tell about themselves in familiar everyday situations
• use limited basic vocabulary both in speaking and in writing
• apply familiar grammatical structures according to given instructions
• understand some basic features of the Finnish language, culture and customs.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The students are able to
• apply the expressions and vocabulary they have learned to tell about themselves and to ask questions about the communication partner’s life
• acquire additional vocabulary they need and use it in everyday situations
• apply the grammar they have learned to new words and expressions
• show interest in the Finnish language, culture and customs.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The students are able to
• tell basic things about themselves and about their course of the day
• understand similar information in the communication partner’s speech
• identify the verb types and verb conjugation in familiar texts
• identify the nominal declension in familiar texts
• identify the consonant change in familiar words
• recognise some basic features of the Finnish language and culture.

Assessment methods and criteria

- Active participation in lectures.
- Attendance 80 % of the lectures
- Passing grade for the vocabulary tests, assignments, the oral exam and the final exam.

Qualifications

No previous knowledge of Finnish required.

Further information

Starting level: 0/A1.1
Target level: A1.2