Finnish for Foreigners (5 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

After successful completion of the course students will be able to pronounce Finnish quite correctly, understand and use short and simply-structured Finnish expressions that concern some of the most common matters and situations related to everyday life (introducing oneself and one’s family, telling the time, buying and paying, timetables, food and menu, working and studying). Student can shortly discuss about these matters and understand short texts concerning such topics.

Content (course unit)

- basics of the Finnish language
- structural exercises
- pronunciation exercises
- vocabulary exercises
- conversational and drama exercises
- listening comprehension exercises
- reading comprehension exercises
- written exercises.

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

Student has been able to complete all the assignments acceptably. She/he can exchange greetings/farewells, introduce oneself, name a few objects and copy some words that she/he has learned. It is hard for her/him to attend a simple conversation or create a short text. Her/his pronunciation causes difficulties to understand meanings of produced speech.

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

Student has an active attitude towards studying Finnish language showing that by completing course tasks according to the schedule. She/he is able to cope in most common everyday situations: shopping, travelling, and visiting people. A student is able to write brief messages (e.g. e-mail, text message, and post card) in Finnish and is able to pronounce Finnish clearly enough. Student’s mother tongue may have an effect in pronunciation and/or sentence structure, but it doesn’t cause big problems to understand the meaning of messages.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

A student has a positive and active attitude towards learning language. She/he can pronounce Finnish distinctively and is able to use suitable and varied expressions in everyday situations using grammar mostly correct way. A student can participate in a conversation asking and responding to questions about topics studied in the course. She/he can write simple descriptions or stories and recombine words and phrases into new sentenses.

Location and time

The first meeting exceptionally on Thursday the 12th of September at 9 - 12, normally on Fridays at 12.15 - 14.45. Class room 40011.

Exam schedules

The final written exam (grade 0 - 5) on the 3rd of December at 16 - 18. Retake on the 13th of December at 12 - 14.. Oral exams (passed/failed) earlier: will be announced later on.

Assessment methods and criteria

Continuous assessment based on classwork (activity, presence, completed exercises) and the final examination. To pass the course minimum attendance 80 % is required.Oral test 1/3, portfolio 1/3, written test 1/3.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

contact teaching, study conversation, cooperative learning, exercises, portfolio, video made by a student, drama exercises, exam, e-learning

Learning materials

Textbook with audio: SUN SUOMI - Finnish for beginners (by Kristiina Kuparinen, Terhi Tapaninen & Karoliina Kuisma). You can find the book in the TAMK library, but it is recommended to buy the book. Materials made by the teacher and e-materials - both of them linked on course-Tabula.

Student workload

Contact lessons 39 hrs: normally 3 hrs on Fridays in autumn semester. Net based / independent learning about 100 hours. Much independent work is needed to learn the basics properly! To build up one's motivation is very important: to find useful, fun and creative ways to learn, use and understand Finnish.

Content scheduling

The contents according to the course-Tabula structure and the textbook.

Completion alternatives

No.

Practical training and working life cooperation

No.

International connections

The whole group is international! Finnish students available as assistant teachers!

Further information

The first meeting exceptionally on Thursday the 12th of September at 9 - 12, normally on Fridays at 12.15 - 14.45. Class room 40011.