Learn Finnish by Singing in a Choir (5 cr)

Objective

The aim of the course is to encourage the speaking and use of the Finnish language by strengthening skills related to language production (e.g., pronunciation) and listening, as well as promoting understanding of spoken language alongside the learning of many new words. Through art-based approaches, the Language Choir integrates music and language learning in a way that mutually reinforces each other.

The Language Choir utilizes art-based methods and is grounded in current research on the subject. In the choir, the Finnish language is approached comprehensively through creative and functional ways that differ from traditional language learning methods.

Singing together with others enables active use and listening of the language in a relaxed and positive learning environment, where mistakes need not be feared and where one can simultaneously enjoy music, music-making, and many aspects related to cultural well-being.

Content

The approaches of the language choir highlight:
• Singing together with others
• Various creative and holistic approaches intertwining music and language
• Creating and re-creating song lyrics
• Collaborative improvising and creating own songs
• Based on the linguistic needs and musical wishes of the participants we also collaboratively generate new creative approaches to intertwine music and language

Location and time

Meetings:
Thu, November 6th, 10:00 AM to 3:15 PM
Thu, November 13th, 10:00 AM to 3:15 PM
Thu, November 27th, 10:00 AM to 3:15 PM
Thu, December 4th, 10:30 AM to 3:45 PM
Thu, December 11t; 10:30 AM to 3:45 PM

Room: MPA2030, Myllypuro campus

Teaching methods

Content of the course:
• Musical warmups through which we creatively and playfully awaken the whole body, mind and voice to singing and language expression
• Singing songs in different genres and themes from children's to folk songs and Finnish pop and rap to encourage active and holistic language expression and production.
• Collaborative choir improvisations that focus on collaboration, interaction and communication through diverse modes of expression (e.g. vocal, verbal, embodied)
• Creation and re-creation of song lyrics to all kinds of songs to emphasise spoken language, language ownership and expression of students' own thoughts and experiences
• Funny language songs created in collaboration with music and language teachers to support memorising and recalling the difficult phonemic and grammatical aspects of the Finnish language
• Songs and poems brought by the participants in their first languages (mother tongue) that are also translated into Finnish to highlight the dialogue between Finnish and other languages
• Based on the linguistic needs and wishes of the participants, we also constantly seek new arts-based ways to approach language through music

Language of instruction: Finnish and English. In addition, we harness all available resources such as embodied expression, particpants`first languages and material resources (e.g., pictures and text of the song lyrics) to reinforce understanding and communication in all possible ways.

Further information

There are no linguistic or musical requirements.
Language of instruction: English and Finnish.

Students are admitted to the course in the order of registration.

Evaluation scale

Hyväksytty/Hylätty

Qualifications

There are no linguistic or musical requirements.

Qualifications

There are no linguistic or musical requirements.