This course develops student’s ability to understand and use Finnish language further and activates the language skills learned earlier. The purpose is that students will be encouraged and able to use Finnish in everyday situations.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student is able to

• communicate in simple everyday situations requiring exchange of information on familiar matters
• understand conversations on basic, everyday subjects
• know the main difference between spoken and written Finnish
• deal with simple situations likely to arise when traveling
• tell about his/her home and his/her job
• tell about his/her hobbies and free time
• express his/her feelings.

This course increases student’s knowledge of Finnish language and culture. The purpose is for students to achieve basic language skills that enable them to cope in everyday situations and participate in everyday communication. Themes handled during this course are everyday life, home and traveling, food and drinks, celebrating different holidays in Finland and elsewhere, work and free time. The grammar studied during this course:

• Consonant gradation and other changes (in the stem) of nouns and verbs
• Local cases of nouns (Where? Where from? Where to?)
• T-plural
• Pronouns
• Partitive plurals
• Ordinary numbers
• Postpositions
• Basics of the object
• Some word types

Contact hours: oral and written exercises individually and in pairs, group work
Independent studies: homework and preparation for lessons, exams and assignments

Course materials:

- Gehring, Sonja & Heinzmann, Sanni: Suomen mestari 1. Finn Lectura. Helsinki. Chapters 5-8. (Required)
Finnish-English-Finnish Dictionary (Recommended)
- other material provided by the teacher

Teacher responsible
Laura Uusitalo

Introduction to the Finnish Language 1 (FIN1RZ004), Introduction to the Finnish Language 2 (FIN1RZ005)

Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be on their own way to level A2 in most of the language skill areas - speaking, listening, reading and writing. Level descriptions can be found at http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/education/elp/elp-reg/Source/Global_scale/globalscale.pdf

Grade 1
The student knows some of the basic Finnish vocabulary, and is able to understand some basics in texts and spoken Finnish in everyday situations. He/she knows a few basic differences between spoken and written Finnish.
The student can somewhat use the vocabulary and grammar handled during the course. He/she has limited capability to interact in simple 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 and understands basic Finnish vocabulary and understands basics in texts and spoken Finnish in everyday situations. He/she knows differences between spoken and written Finnish.
The student can use the vocabulary and grammar handled during the course. He/she is capable to interact in simple everyday situations.
The student is 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 and understands basic Finnish language well. He/she understands basic texts and spoken Finnish in everyday situations very well. He/she knows the main differences between spoken and written Finnish.
The student can very well use the vocabulary and grammar handled during the course. He/she is fully capable and confident to interact in simple everyday situations.
The student is fully motivated to take responsibility for his/her learning and participates actively. He/she can 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.

Assessment components:
Active participation in lessons
Small tests and/or assignments
Final examination