Finnish 3 (intermediate level B1) (5cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

The objective of the course is to give the student basic knowledge in Finnish language. The aim is to learn Finnish further and develope language competence from A2 towards the CEFR level B1. The student is able to maintain interaction in quite a wide range of communication situations. The student is able to communicate familiar things and to express oneself also in some unforeseen situations.

After passing the course the student is able to
- understand clearly spoken common language when the subject relates to familiar things such as work, school or leisure
- discuss topics that he/she is interested in and topics that are related to everyday life and current affairs
- describe experiences and events, as well as dreams and goals
- justify and explain, at least briefly, his/her own opinions and plans
- write unified text on familiar topics e.g. in letters, stories and messages
- use a fairly wide everyday vocabulary and some common phrases and idioms.

Objective

The objective of the course is to give the student intermediate level knowledge in Finnish language at the CEFR level B1.
The student is able to maintain interaction in quite a wide range of communication situations. The student is able to communicate familiar things and to express oneself also in some unforeseen situations.

Content

After passing the course the student is able to
- understand clearly spoken common language when the subject relates to familiar things such as work, school or leisure
- discuss topics that he/she is interested in and topics that are related to everyday life and current affairs
- describe experiences and events, as well as dreams and goals
- justify and explain, at least briefly, his/her own opinions and plans
- write unified text on familiar topics e.g. in letters, stories and messages
- use a fairly wide everyday vocabulary and some common phrases and idioms

Materials

To participate in the course student must have completed Finnish 2 (A2).

Students must obtain the book for use either in print or digital.
Book: Gehring, Sonja & Heinzmann, Sanni. 2023. Suomen mestari 1 Uudistettu — Suomen kielen oppikirja aikuisille. Otava.
Chapters 5-9

In addition, the learning material includes:
- Websites covering the subjects of the course
- Teacher's own material.

You will find other course material on the Itslearning.

Teaching methods

The course uses creative language learning methods. The aim is to encourage you to speak Finnish without fear of making mistakes.
There are lessons once or twice pre week. Attendance 70 % of the lessons is required.

Moreover, students work in an Itslearning and do tasks on various websites (e.g. FinnLectura online learning material).
Students work both independently regardless of place and communally with the rest of the student group.

When you also use Finnish outside of class, your language skills will increase and strengthen.
Active completion of our weekly exercises will lead you to the basics of Finnish.

Exam schedules

The completion of the course consists of partial assignments, the schedule will be announced during the course. All the assignments and homework task must return by the deadlines and all task must be done before attending the final writing and reading assignment. Evaluated assignments require attendance. Only assignments returned in time and done properly can have a positive impact on the overall course grade.

Pedagogic approaches and sustainable development

In-person lessons and lectures, working independently on Itslearning platform, group work, pair work.

The study also emphasizes communal learning, which materializes as as couples and small group work. The study group is international.
The studies aim for a multidisciplinary familiarization with the Finnish language.

Completion alternatives

Mandatory attendance

Student workload

5 credits = 135 h of student's work, including lessons and independent work weekly in ItsLearning.
Written and oral exercises in class and independently at home.
Compulsory attendance for 60% of lessons.

Two assignments evaluated with fail/pass
-Video presentation (with pairs) --> changed to learning group meetings
-Word and phrase mind map
-Language use teaching session (in a small group)

4 tasks to be assessed with grade 1-5
-2 mini tests (at campus, no translator)
-1 oral assignments in group (at campus)
-1 reading and writing assignment (at campus, no translator)

All the assignments and homework task must return by the deadlines and all task must be done before attending the final writing and reading assignment.To pass this course you have to do all the given homeworks and assignments.

Evaluation methods and criteria

During the course, a total of six assessed assignments will be completed. Course assessment is based on the demonstration of competence at all levels of language proficiency: understanding, speaking and taking part in a conversation, reading and writing.
To achieve the learning objectives of the course, independent and active language learning is required.
Language use outside the classroom is strongly encouraged and some of the tasks include language use outside the classroom.

The assignments are as follows:

1)Grammar, vocabulary and understanding test (1-5)
One mini-tests will be held during the course, aimed at assessing the student's knowledge of grammar and vocabulary.
From each test, students can get 1-5 grade which will be taken into account in the course average evaluation.

2)Writing and reading assignment (1-5)
Students will complete one writing and reading assignment during the course, aimed at assessing their ability to construct sentences in Finnish and to show reading comprehension. Students can get 1-5 grade which will be taken into account in the course average evaluation.

3)Group discussion (1-5)
During the course, students will participate in a group discussion, intended to assess their skills in spoken interaction. From the group discussion, students can get 1-5 grade which will be taken into account in the course average evaluation.

4)Video presentation (pass/fail) --> changed to learning group meetings
During the course, students will record one conversation video in small groups.
Assignment is evaluated with pass/fail. Must be done during the course and before attending to the small group conversation.

5)Language use teaching session group work (pass/fail)
During the course, students will held a language use teaching session in a small groups.
Assignment is evaluated with pass/fail. Must be done during the course and everyone in the group must have to do their part of the group work

6)Word and phrase mind-map related to student's own vocabulary usage needs
During a course. Theme-based topics. Assignment is evaluated with pass/fail. Must be done during the course

In addition to the assessed assignments, students must do all the weekly activity tasks carried out during the course.

Course grade is determined by the average grade of the assignments with emphasis on the grade for oral skills.

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 objectives of the course avoidably. The student recognizes and can use the concepts and language of the subject area of the course. He understands 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 studies and working life situations. The student is able to analyze the skills and language skills required in the field and studies and the development of their own skills. Students are able to take advantage of the feedback they receive.

Qualifications

Participation in the course requires at least proficiency level A2 in Finnish.

Further information

Communication for the course takes place mainly on the ItsLearning platform.
The course follows a 3 day communication rule, which means that messages related to the course must be responded to within 3 days of receiving them. This rule applies to both students and the teacher.