Finnish for Foreigners 1 (2cr)

Objectives (course unit)

After successful completion of the course students will be able to pronounce Finnish quite clearly. They understand and use short phrases, are able to introduce oneselves and tell basic facts about themselves and as well as ask the same from the others. They know numbers, seasons, months, weekdays and times. About these matters they also understand short simple discussions and texts.

Content (course unit)

- basics of the Finnish language: vowel harmony, personal endings, negative sentence, question sentence, genetive
- 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)

Students have been able to complete all the assignments acceptably. They can greet quite well and tell a couple of basic things about themselves, name some studied matters and copy learned words. However, it is hard for them to change simple phrases or put together a proper sentence. Their pronunciation causes difficulties to understand meanings of produced speech.

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

Students have an active attitude towards studying Finnish language showing that by completing course tasks according to the schedule. They are able to change phrases and understand the connection between letters and speech sounds quite well. They are able to pronounce Finnish quite understandably

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

Students have a positive and active attitude towards learning language. They can pronounce Finnish distinctively and use suitable and varied ways of learned expressions remembering use grammar mostly correct way. They put together sentences very well and recombine words and phrases into new sentences.

Assessment criteria, pass/fail (course unit)

Failed: Students have attended contact lessons less than 80%. They have not completed course assignments because of lack of or activity or gained skills. They don’t speak and write and also understand Finnish more than a couple of words

Location and time

During the first period on Monday and Wednesday afternoons: 2 x 2 on line lessons per week.

Exam schedules

A written exam will be in the beginning of the second period. The date will be informed during the course and marked on Moodle. If possible, it will be in a face to face situation in a class room in TAMK campus. A retake will be organized same way.

Assessment methods and criteria

A course grade will be formed on the basis of a result of the written exam.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Because of the on line implementation all kind of on line material is utilized. The basic tool in communication during lessons is Zoom. All materials have been collected and structured on Moodle platform. The idea is to make learning basics of Finnish not only important but also interesting and fun.

Learning materials

All material and material recommendations are on Moodle platform.

Student workload

Finnish language is so different from the most students' mother tongues which means rather much work to get in communication in Finnish especially now when students study abroad without getting help of living in Finland. The work demands time and on line collaboration. A regular and active attendance in lessons is important and also compulsory to pass the course. But as said, in addition to it much private learning is needed. 2 ECTs course means 2 x 27 hours' (54 hours') work! To build up one's motivation is very important: to find useful, fun and creative ways to learn, use and understand Finnish. So have Finnish as a hobby also in your free time!

Content scheduling

Basic information of Finnish language, pronunciation, greetings, numbers, time expressions, positive and negative verb conjugation, question sentences, nationalities, simple declensions, everyday vocabulary e.g. communication in a cafeteria.

Completion alternatives

-

Practical training and working life cooperation

-

International connections

The whole group is international!

Further information

Finnish for Foreigners 1 must be completed in order to start Finnish for Foreigners 2.

Assessment criteria - fail (0) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Uncompleted assignments, big difficulties to understand and produce the simplest basic phrases and expressions. More than 20 % absences from on line lessons.

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Look at the course information.

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Look at the course information.

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Look at the course information.