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

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

The aim of the course is to learn basic knowledge of Finnish, focusing on the student´s practical language of everyday life and student's own study field. The aim of the course is to learn basic knowledge in Finnish language at the CEFR level A1.

The course consists lessons at Kupittaa campus. In addition, students must study the language independently in order to reach the target language level A1.

After passing the course you are able to use most important expressions in common everyday situations and you can

- tell about your life and studies orally and in writing
- manage short phrases and discussions in everyday situations
- understand some basic structures in Finnish language
- ask simple questions and answer them

Lessons at Kupittaa campus - see the schedule. Attendance at the first lecture is mandatory. If a student does not attend the first lecture or otherwise indicate their intention to participate in the course, they will be removed from the course.

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

Material and links provided by teacher in Itslearning course platform
Book: Gehring, Sonja & Heinzmann, Sanni. 2023. Suomen mestari 1 Uudistettu — Suomen kielen oppikirja aikuisille. Otava.

Teaching methods

Task-based, group work, pair work, independent work at home.

Exam schedules

The completion of the course consists of partial assignments, the schedule of which will be announced during the first lecture of the course. To earn points from the assignments, the student must abide by the deadlines. Evaluated assignments require attendance.

Pedagogic approaches and sustainable development

Working on the contact lessons at campus in groups and independently, practising in Itslearning, cultural sustainability.

Student workload

Written and oral exercises in class and independently at home.
6 tasks to be assessed: 3 mini quizzes, 2 oral assignments and a written assignment.
5 credits translates roughly to 130 hours of student work, including lessons and independent work.

Evaluation methods and criteria

During the course, a total of six assessed assignments will be completed, through which students can accumulate points toward their final course grade. The assignments are as follows:

Grammar and vocabulary test
Three mini-tests will be held during the course, aimed at assessing the student's knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. From each test, students can earn 0–2 points toward their final course grade.

Conversation video
During the course, students will record one conversation video in small groups. From this video, students can earn 0–2 points toward their final course grade.

Written assignment
Students will complete one written assignment during the course, aimed at assessing their ability to construct sentences in Finnish. The written assignment allows students to earn 0–2 points toward their final course grade.

Group discussion
During the course, students will participate in a group discussion, intended to assess their skills in spoken interaction. From the group discussion, students can earn 0–2 points toward their final course grade.

In addition to the assessed assignments, students can earn up to 2 points based on the completion percentage of the weekly activity tasks carried out during the course.

Course grade is determined by the points earned as follows:

0-4 p. = 0
5-6 p. = 1
7-8 p = 2
9-10 p. = 3
11-12 p. = 4
13-14 p. = 5

Failed (0)

The student has not achieved the objectives of the course and has not done assignments. The student has participated in the group's study with little or no involvement. The student recognizes and can use only a few concepts in the course subject and does not know how to apply what they have learned. The student will not be able to take advantage of the feedback they receive.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

The student has achieved the minimum objectives of the course. The student recognizes and can use the concepts and language of the subject area of the course. They understand the prerequisites for the development of skills. Students are able to make limited use of the feedback they receive.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

The student has achieved the objectives of the course well, although the knowledge and skills still need to be developed. The student is able to use the concepts and language of the subject area of the course well. Students are able to take advantage of the feedback they receive

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student has achieved the objectives of the course commendably. The student has commendable mastery of the concepts of the subject area of the course. Students have the skills to apply what they have learned in situations related to their personal life. The student is able to communicate in situations related to the subject area of the course. Students are able to take advantage of the feedback they receive.

Further information

Communication for the course takes place on the ItsLearning platform. The course follows a 48-hour communication rule, which means that messages related to the course must be responded to within 48 hours of receiving them. This rule applies to both students and the teacher.