Finnish for beginners, 5 ECTS cr

Learning outcomes:

You are able to express yourself in Finnish in the most common everyday situations both orally and in writing. You have a command of simple phrases, basic clauses and vocabulary (CEFR level A1.1-A1.2) needed in situations such as introducing yourself and in service encounters. You are familiar with the most essential grammatical features, like vowel harmony, present tense of the verb types and partitive singular case, and can manage with the pronunciation and spelling. You are also able to expand your vocabulary and knowledge of language usage independently using different sources. You become more familiar with the Finnish culture.

This course is available for students who have no prior Finnish skills.
The course will be carried out by means of independent online studies.
The student is responsible for determining his/her weekly amount of studying based on the time during which he/she wishes to complete the course.

Contents and methods:
introducing oneself and his/her family, greeting someone, making acquaintances, simple conversation related to e.g. shopping and eating out, telephone conversations, vowel harmony, verb types, verb forms in present tense, singular partitive case.

What kind of language is Finnish compared with other languages you know? What are the special features of Finnish?
Which phrases and what kind of knowledge of Finnish language and culture are needed in everyday communication?
Which sources and tools can you use in order to learn elementary Finnish during the course and independently?
How to pronounce and spell in Finnish

The course “Finnish 1” is located in the entry-level of your studies. The assessment emphazises criteria a–d and f. Students that have reached level 3 are able to
a) use phrases, basic vocabulary and structures (CEFR levels A1.1 – A1.2) in everyday communication
b) look for information from the text books and other information sources of the elementary Finnish
c) identify various contexts and interrelated tasks
d) communicate in simple everyday situations
e) work as team-members in a goal-oriented way.

Prior skills in the Finnish language are not a requirement, but attending the course requires English skills enabling academic studies, some IT-skills and good independent study skills.

Assessment: Examination and assignments. Assessment on a scale of 1 – 5.
 

Certificate of these studies will be delivered 
 – in paper form for those who have their home address in Finland
 – by email in PDF form for those who have their home address in some other country.

This course is based on the curricula of Xamk's degree programmes and the Finnish credits are fully compatible with the ECTS.

Additional information on enrolment:
Open University of Applied Sciences office, email openstudies@xamk.fi.

Terms of cancellation: 
Please, cancel your enrolment 14 days before the course starts.Cancellation by email to openstudies@xamk.fi.

You'll receive an invitation by email to this course approx. one week before the course starts.