Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

In this course you will improve your Finnish language skills. Estimated level is A2.2.

• pronounce Finnish quite well. With familiar words and expressions pronunciation is clear.
• be more confident in using Finnish in their daily encounters out of a classroom
• understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. running errands, education and work life, celebrations and customs)
• generally identify the topic of discussions related to routine matters
• participate more actively on routine communication using everyday vocabulary and idiomatic expressions
• understands the main points and some details in short texts like emails, small news, instructions
• describe in simple terms aspects of their background, environment and needs
• write very short, basic descriptions of events, past activities and personal experiences
• write sentences linked with simple connectors about everyday aspects of his/her environment e.g. people, places, a job or study experience

Content (course unit)

• running everyday errands
• visiting offices
• using public services
• telling about traditions, customs and celebrations
• telling about one’s educational and working background
• past tense forms
• plural forms
• verb rections

Prerequisites (course unit)

Finnish 3 (3 cr) or equivalent knowledge.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student can tell some things about oneself in Finnish comprehensively. The student is able to tell few things about their background in past tense.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The student has an active attitude towards studying Finnish language and culture. They are showing that by completing written tasks according to the schedule. The student is able to use structures like past tenses and plural forms in simple sentences. They can tell about small incidents, customs, celebrations, their educational and working background etc. The student is able to write short descriptions and texts like emails and applications in Finnish and is able to pronounce Finnish clearly enough.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

The student has a positive and active attitude towards learning Finnish and is genuinely interested in Finnish culture and brings it up by comparing Finnish culture to his/her own. He/she can pronounce Finnish intelligibly when communicating in simple everyday situations. Expressions used in spoken and written communication are suitable and varied and grammar almost correct.

Location and time

On the course we have contact meetings once a week.

We also have one online lesson that you can do independently (will be recorded).

Exam schedules

Test dates will be agreed on the course.

Assessment methods and criteria

Participation in the course meetings.
Review of the course assignments.
Review of the exams.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Classroom and online meetings
Course assignments.
Exams (a midterm exam and a final exam).

We practise speaking, listening comprehension, writing, and reading. We will focus on active language use and comprehension.

Learning materials

Teacher´s materials, course book Suomen mestari 2, chapters 5-8.

Student workload

You should prepare for the following schedule:
- Lessons two times / week, one independent and one contact.
- 3-6 hours of independent work (homework, course assignments, reviews) in each course week.
- The amount of independent work varies each week.

International connections

The course is aimed for international students.