Helsinki Summer School 2020 is cancelled due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak
- ORGANISER: University of Helsinki, Language Centre
- DATES: 4–20 Aug 2020
- PRICES: 60 EUR for University of Helsinki degree students Learn more about the prices
- CREDITS: 4 ECTS
- COORDINATOR: Leena Evesti
- RELATED DEGREE PROGRAMMES
Master’s Programme in European and Nordic Studies
Master’s Programme in Linguistic Diversity and Digital Humanities
Doctoral Programme in Language Studies
TARGET STUDENTS
The course is restricted to international students beginning their Master's / Bachelor's Degree studies in the autumn of 2020 at the University of Helsinki.
SYNOPSIS
This intensive basic course in Finnish is for students accepted into University of Helsinki Master's programmes / Bachelor's programme in autumn 2020. It offers incoming students the opportunity to study the Finnish language before the beginning of the University's autumn term. The course includes 48 hours of teaching plus independent/group work (six hours of study a day on average).
Before the course begins, the participants are expected to take the online course A Taste of Finnish (http://tasteoffinnish.fi/), so that they will learn the basic vocabulary and grammar as well as various phrases and elements of Finnish culture and society. The online course provides help in English.
TEACHERS AND LECTURERS
Päivi Vetsch, MA, University Instructor
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The course offers incoming students the opportunity to begin studying the Finnish language before the University's autumn term begins, so that it will be possible to continue with Suomi 2 courses in the autumn at the University of Helsinki. The aim is to learn to cope with simple everyday discussions, write brief texts on familiar topics and learn key vocabulary.
The target level is A1.2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF)
COURSE FORMAT AND TEACHING METHODS
The course consists of four contact lessons daily, and the students work in small groups / independently in the afternoons. This way the course learning objectives can be attained. The students are expected to participate actively in the various tasks and group work during the contact lessons. The online platform Moodle may be used for mixed-mode activities (mainly independent work).
The course is taught in Finnish, which allows students to use the language straight away. The Finnish-in-Finnish method has been proven to accelerate and enhance learning; the course has been designed so that no other languages are needed. Nevertheless, students can always ask for help in other languages when the teachers are circulating in class supervising pair or group work, during breaks or after class.
MEANS AND CRITERIA OF ASSESSMENT
Continuous assessment and final test. Minimum 75% active participation.
Oral skills are assessed continuously during the course. The written test is at the end of the course, and is assessed on the scale 0–5 (5 = excellent 4 = very good 3 = good 2 = average 1 = poor 0 = fail). The end-of-course written test can be retaken once. The participants will receive a certificate stating the contents and the level of the course.
COURSE SCHEDULE & LOCATION
Course schedule
5–19 August
10.00–11.30 Language lesson
11.30–12.30 Lunch
12.30–14.00 Language lesson
14.00–14.30 Break
14.30–16.00 Small groups / independent work
20 August
10.00–11.30 Exam preparation, course feedback
11.30–12.30 Lunch
12.30–14.00 FINAL EXAM
COURSE READINGS
Accepted students; Please purchase the book before the first lessons: Suomen mestari 1. Suomen kielen oppikirja aikuisille by Sonja Gehring & Sanni Heinzmann. Finn Lectura. Chapters 1–7.
Additional material (handouts) by the teacher.