Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, the student

• can introduce oneself, give basic information about oneself and ask simple question
• can understand and use basic expressions and simple sentences in routine everyday situations
• is able to deal with everyday social situations and handle simple shopping situations
• is aware of the basic characteristics of the Finnish language, culture and habits
• is able to use the surrounding language environment to develop one’s language skills.

Target level A1 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)

The course is an introduction to Finnish language and culture, and themes handled during this course are me and my everyday life.

• Pronunciation
• Greetings, basic small talk phrases
• Introducing oneself and telling about oneself
• Numbers, prices
• Weather, seasons, months, telling the time
• Asking questions and giving basic information in routine everyday situations
• Conjugation of some basic verbs
• Vocabulary and key phrases for everyday needs
• Describing people and objects in a simple way

Contact hours about 30 h (4 h / week): oral and written exercises individually and in pairs, group work
Independent studies about 45 h (5-6 h / week): homework and preparation for lessons, exams and assignments

- material provided by teacher

Teacher responsible
Laura Uusitalo

This is a supporting course for those students who don't yet have required starting level for the first compulsory course. Therefore you cannot use RPL method for this course.

Starting level and linkage with other courses:
No previous knowledge of Finnish language required

Grade 1
The student knows some basic characteristics of Finnish language, and is able to understand some basic vocabulary in everyday situations.
The student can use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases. He/she can interact in a very simple way in everyday situations.
The student has limited motivation to take responsibility for his/her learning process. He/she is able to deal with some of the communicative situations handled during the course.

Grade 3
The student knows most basic characters of Finnish language and understands familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases in everyday situations well.
The student can use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases well. He/she can interact in a simple way in everyday situations.
The student is partly motivated to take responsibility for his/her learning process. He/she can somewhat master the communicative situations handled during the course.

Grade 5
The student knows basic characters of Finnish language and understands and uses familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases very well.
The student can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases very well. He/she can interact in a simple way in everyday situations.
The student is fully motivated to take responsibility for his/her learning and participates actively. He/she can fully master the communicative situations handled during the course.

The course is evaluated on a scale excellent (5), very good (4), good (3), satisfactory (2), fair (1), fail (0). The assessment criteria is presented on a scale 1 - 3 - 5