Basics of Finnish (3 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. understand and use Finnish language in simple everyday situations
2. recognise the grammatical elements in Finnish words
3. apply grammatical structures in new situations
4. understand Finnish culture and way of life and studying
Competence level A1

Content (course unit)

- pronunciation
- basic grammar
- day-to-day language: greeting, introduction, shopping, asking the way
- Finnish food, habits, education system, religion

Location and time

In the third period (9.1. - 21.2.) two double lessons per week: on Mondays and Tuesdays 18.00 - 19.30 in the class room B6-33)

Exam schedules

Final exam 21.2.

Assessment methods and criteria

A regular and active attendance, performed assignments, a passed result from the final exam.

Assessment scale

Pass/Fail

Teaching methods

Different methods: contact teaching, study conversation, cooperative learning, oral and written exercises and games. Activating students to observe Finnish around themselves. Much online material is utilized. All materials have been collected and structured on Moodle. The idea is to make learning basics of Finnish also interesting and fun. Mostly spoken interaction.

Learning materials

All materials and material recommendations have been collected and structured on Moodle platform.

Student workload

Finnish language is so different from the most students' mother tongues which means rather much work! Let's try to do it fun and motivating. Collaboration and study clubs with group members help to learn efficient way. 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. 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!

3 ECT course (81 hours of student work) in six weeks = RATHER INTENSIVE!
Contact lessons: 14 x 2 lessons
Independent studying: about 53 hours

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. Cultural phenomena.

Completion alternatives

No.

Practical training and working life cooperation

No.

International connections

The whole group is international!

Further information

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

Failed: Uncompleted assignments, great difficulties to understand and produce the simplest basic phrases and expressions. More than 20 % absences from lessons.

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

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