The student
* can introduce oneself, give basic information about oneself and ask simple questions
* can understand and use basic expressions and simple sentences in routine everyday situation
* 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. Level descriptions can be found at
http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/education/elp/elp-reg/Source/Global_scale/globalscale.pdf.

The course is an introduction to Finnish language and culture, and themes handled during this course are me, my family, weather, time and everyday life. Emphasis will be given to all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.

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

Course includes both 1) contact hours and 2) independent studies:
1) Oral and written exercises individually and in pairs, group work, tests
2) Homework and preparation for lessons, exams and assignments

Recognition of prior learning (RPL):
The students who start their studies in BITE programme and already know some Finnish, can pass the course and gain the credit points by attending a level test. Written and oral parts of the test are organized during the orientation weeks in August or January. The RPL test can only be taken once.

Gehring, Sonja & Heinzmann, Sanni: Suomen mestari 1. Finn Lectura. Helsinki. Chapters 1–4. (Required)
Finnish-English-Finnish Dictionary (Recommended)
Other material provided by teacher

No previous knowledge of Finnish language required.

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.

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.

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.

Continuous demonstration of Finnish skills 20 %
Regular and active participation is crucial to progress. Coming in time, being prepared, doing activities, answering questions and speaking Finnish as much as possible are all part of the continuous demonstration of your language skills.
Texts and/or other assignments 10 %
Exams and quizzes 70 %

The course is evaluated on a scale from 1 to 5.