Finnish 1 (beginner level 0-A1) (5cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

Weekly contact teaching on campus and independent study and pair or group work between lessons.
See the timetable online at https://lukkari.turkuamk.fi/
You can also see the lessons on Tuudo.
Remember to register for the course on Peppi platform.

Learning outcomes of the course
The aim of the course is for the student to reach the Finnish language proficiency level A1.3.The student develops his/her knowledge of the Finnish language and identifies the characteristics of Finnish. They understand the importance of active and self-directed language learning in developing language skills and take responsibility for their learning. The student learns to pay attention to everyday language use situations and to recognise the main differences between spoken and written language. During the course, students will gain confidence in using Finnish and will have the courage to start using Finnish in everyday situations.

Students will be able to pronounce Finnish words in an understandable way. The student will be able to communicate to some extent in Finnish in familiar everyday situations and will be able to use the most common words and expressions. He/she understands short oral and written messages and is able to react to them in Finnish. The student can reflect on his/her learning and make use of different ways of language learning. The student is familiar with the use of language learning tools to support learning and is able to use the translator and AI correctly to support language learning.

After the course you will be able to
- can pronounce Finnish words intelligibly and read short texts aloud
-understand and be able to use the most common greetings and phrases
-understand everyday vocabulary (e.g. days of the week, months, reading words, weather, food, things to do)
- understand and be able to produce short requests, commands and prohibitions
-can form short sentences in speaking and writing
-can act in Finnish in everyday situations (e.g. in shops and cafés)
-can tell basic things about yourself, your hobbies, studies and work, and things that interest you
-can ask and answer simple questions
-can read short everyday texts and act on the information (e.g. email, timetable, instructions)
-understand basic Finnish grammar (e.g. verb types, verb inflection, basic sentence types)
- be able to assess your knowledge and reflect on what you have learned
- understands the importance of self-directed and active observation of language use in language learning
- knows and can use some language learning tools and technologies
- knows how to use a translator appropriately in language learning

Course content
-Finnish language and world languages
-self-directed, observational and active language learning methods
-recognising the differences between spoken and written language
-reflecting on the usefulness of learning Finnish and setting language learning goals
-greetings and basic everyday phrases
-basic vocabulary, e.g. numbers, days of the week, weather, food
-telling, asking and answering about yourself (name, country, language, family, interests)
-language situations and how to act in them: introducing oneself, contact details, cashier and cafeteria transactions
-acting in Finnish in frequently occurring situations of interaction
-Writing: short messages, notes, introductory texts
-Listening and reading comprehension: simple requests, instructions and messages
-Basic grammar according to needs: personal pronouns, verb types, positive form of verb, verb inflection, verb preposition, basic sentence types, vowel harmony, kpt variation, basic verb forms (singular nominative, partitive, genitive)
-developing language learning methods and accessing technology to support learning
-the correct use of the translator in language learning

Objective

The aim of the course is for the student to reach the proficiency level A1.3 in the Finnish language. Students are able to communicate in familiar and everyday situations using common vocabulary and expressions.

Content

After completing the course, students:
- are able to tell about themselves, their lives and their studies in easily predictable situations
- know the most common greetings, phrases and verbs
- know simple expressions and everyday basic vocabulary (e.g. citizenship, language and residence, numerals, days of the week, months, seasons and weather, food and prices)
- can provide basic information on issues related to everyday life and service situations
- can form questions, prompts, requests, and prohibitions in short sentences or statements
- can read short texts and find the necessary information, for example, in a manual or a schedule.

Materials

Textbook: Gehring, Sonja & Heinzmann, Sanni. 2023. SUOMEN MESTARI 1 - Finnish language textbook for adults. Otava. 6th edition. Helsinki: Finn Lectura.

Students must buy or borrow their own textbook. The student must have the textbook at the latest during the 2nd week of study. In addition, students will need an A4-sized notebook for their learning diary.
Beside that, at the course will use the Suomipass app, which students can download from the app store on their phone.

Other teacher materials and links will be shared in the Itslearning learning environment.

Teaching methods

Face-to-face classroom teaching on campus.
In class, students work independently, in pairs or in groups.
Listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing are practised on a task basis.
Independent study in an e-learning environment

Exam schedules

Completion of the course consists of a series of assignments, the dates of which will be announced at the beginning of the course. To complete the course, the assignments must be returned by the due date. Attendance is required to complete the assessed assignments. Tests during the teaching sessions.

Pedagogic approaches and sustainable development

Task-based and inquiry-based learning, learning by doing
Working in groups and independently in lessons and practising on the Itslearning platform
Learning by doing and observing real language situations outside the classroom
Reflective and observational active learning

Completion alternatives

No alternative method of performance.

Student workload

To complete the course, you must attend contact classes on campus.
You must be present for at least 80% of the lessons.
In addition, students must complete weekly written and oral learning assignments in an e-learning environment. The course consists of a total of 4 assessed assignments, a video assignment and a learning diary assignment. The assignments must be passed in order to pass the course.

The tasks to be assessed are:
-mini-test x 2 (assessment 1-5)
-oral task (assessment 1-5)
-written assignment (assessment 1-5)
-video assignment (pass/fail)
-writing a reflective learning diary (pass/fail)

The scope of the course is 5 credits.
The course requires an average of 135 hours of work.
This work is spread over a period of approximately 14 weeks.
There will be 2-4 hours of contact teaching per week.
There will be 6-8 hours per week for independent work.

Estimated workload
-lessons on campus about 38 h
-internship in an e-learning environment approximately 35 h
-exam practice about 20 h
-learning diary observation and writing about 30 h

Evaluation methods and criteria

The course is assessed on a scale of H-5. The average of the assessed tasks in the course constitutes the course grade. More detailed assessment criteria for each task can be found in the Itslearning learning environment. Attendance and participation in class must be at least 80% and the assignments for the independent work day must be at least 80% completed by the end of the course. The video assignment and the learning diary assignment must be passed.
Only assignments returned by the deadline can be graded with a 5.

In the final oral examination you must be able to answer at least 50% of the questions/assignments - the level of language proficiency will ultimately determine the grade for the course (1-5). This means that the teacher assesses whether the learning objectives are met and whether the student reaches the A1.3 level of proficiency in relation to grades on assignments and attendance in class. All course assignments must be passed and tests must be passed.

The tasks to be assessed are:
-mini-test x 2 (assessment 1-5)
-oral task (assessment 1-5)
-written assignment (assessment 1-5)
-video assignment (pass/fail)
-writing a reflective learning diary (pass/fail)

In addition, the student will have competence-building activities in the e-learning environment and in the book. Topics covered: vocabulary, language structures, reading, listening and speaking

The course grade will be based on the average marks of the tasks to be assessed. Active participation during the course and the completion of weekly assignments may raise the grade or failure to complete them may be grounds for failing the course.

To receive a grade, all assessed assignments must be completed successfully.
Attendance in class and completion of independent day assignments must be at least 80%.

Failed (0)

The student has not achieved the objectives of the course and has not completed the assignments. The student has not successfully completed one or more of the learning tasks to be assessed (criteria in ItsLearning). The student has not attended classes and has not fulfilled the attendance requirement for the course. The student has not reached the language proficiency level A1.3.

The student has not achieved the objectives of the course and has not completed the assignments. The student has participated little or not at all in the group study. The student only recognises and uses a few concepts of the course and is unable to apply what he/she has learnt. The student cannot tell about him/herself and cannot answer the questions put to him/her. The student cannot cope with the small listening and reading tasks of the course. The student is unable to make use of the feedback received.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

The student has achieved the objectives of the course to a satisfactory level. The student has moderately completed the learning tasks to be assessed in the course (criteria in ItsLearning). The student has a superficial knowledge of the vocabulary and grammar of the course. The student has successfully completed the course's assessment tasks. The student has participated to varying degrees in individual, pair and group work in the lessons. Assignments have been completed and returned in varying degrees. The student has reached the language proficiency level A1.3. to some extent.

The student has achieved the objectives of the course to a satisfactory level. The student will be able to identify and use the concepts and language of the course to some extent. The student is able to express him/herself a little but needs a lot of help from a partner. The student can barely cope with the listening and reading tasks of the course. The student demonstrates some competence in active language learning. The student has a fair knowledge of the grammar of the course. The student will be able to use feedback and develop through feedback.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

The student has achieved the objectives of the course well, although there is still room for improvement in knowledge and skills. The student has completed the learning tasks to be assessed in the course fairly well graded (criteria in ItsLearning). The student has a good knowledge of the vocabulary and grammar of the course. The student has successfully completed the course's assessment tasks and they have been returned on time. The student has participated in individual, pair and group work in the lessons. Assignments have been completed and returned in time. The student has reached the language proficiency level A1.3. although there is still room for improvement in knowledge and skills.

The student has achieved the learning outcomes of the course quite well. The student has a good command of the concepts and language used in the course. The student can express him/herself quite well but needs sometimes with the support of a partner to help them cope with the conversation. The student can cope with the listening and reading tasks of the course. The student demonstrates some competence in active language learning. The student has a pretty good knowledge of the grammar of the course. The student will be able to use feedback and develop through feedback.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student has completed the learning tasks to be assessed in the course with good grades (criteria in ItsLearning). The student has a good knowledge of the vocabulary and grammar of the course. The student has successfully completed the course's assessment tasks and they have been returned on time. The student has participated in individual, pair and group work in the lessons. Assignments have been completed and returned in time. The student has reached the language proficiency level A1.3. in all language use levels.

The student has achieved the learning outcomes of the course with distinction. The student has an excellent command of the concepts of the course. The student can express him/herself well but needs sometimes a little support of a partner. The student can cope well with the listening and reading tasks of the course. The student is able to work in interaction situations related to the subject matter of the course. The student demonstrates competence in active language learning. The student has a good knowledge of the grammar of the course. The student will be able to make use of feedback.

Further information

The course will be communicated using the ItsLearning platform.
The course follows a 3 day communication rule, which means that messages about the course must be replied to within 3 days of receipt. This rule applies to students and the teacher.

Students do not need to be informed of sickness absences.
It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the 80% attendance requirement is met.

If a student does not have a textbook or does not attend classes and do not complete course assignments, the teacher has the right to withdraw the student from the course.