Language PSP – Proficiency in the languages of Finland

The instruction belongs to the following themes

By selecting a degree programme you are able to see the general content as well as the possible degree programme-specific content. You do not have to select a degree programme to see the Open University's instructions.

In order to provide you with better and more versatile opportunities to find employment in Finland after you have graduated, you will benefit from knowing Finnish/Swedish. The aim of this Language PSP (personal study plan) is to help you reflect on and set goals for learning Finnish/Swedish – primarily independently and, if necessary, through discussions with your teachers. The Language PSP will also help you plan your own road to the mastery of Finnish/Swedish.

Do this: Reflect on the questions below independently. If you would like to discuss the questions with your teacher or supervisor, please answer the questions before the discussion. You can copy the questions below into a text file, for example. It takes about 5–10 minutes to answer. Save your answers and update them if necessary. It is a good idea to return to them whenever you discuss your studies with teachers and supervisors.

You can also download the Language PSP as an editable file from the Kielibuusti website.

Questions about studying and working in Finnish/Swedish

Questions related to studying and working guide you to think about the significance of competence in different languages in your future work tasks.

  1. What kind of work do you study for: who do you have to communicate with and what kind of language skills do you need?
  2. If your degree/studies include training periods/a traineeship/traineeships, in which language would you like to complete them?

Questions about your Finnish/Swedish skills

The purpose of the questions related to proficiency in the languages of Finland is to help you understand your level of Finnish/Swedish. The questions can also help you set goals to develop your Finnish/Swedish skills.

  1. Would you like to learn more Finnish/Swedish? Why do you want / don't want it?
  2. In your opinion, how is using Finnish/Swedish going for you? You can select multiple options.
    1. I do not understand nor speak Finnish/Swedish at all.
    2. I listen to and understand a little in familiar and recurring situations; I do not speak or write Finnish/Swedish myself.
    3. I believe I understand the language fairly well in familiar and recurring situations; I speak and write it just a little.
    4. I understand Finnish/Swedish in a wide variety of situations, and I can briefly discuss things and events.
    5. I listen to and read in Finnish/Swedish regularly and proficiently, but I don’t like speaking Finnish/Swedish.
    6. I use Finnish/Swedish daily in social interactions and in service situations (orally and in writing).
    7. I speak Finnish/Swedish fluently in my studies, but written assignments are often challenging.
    8.  I study/work in Finnish/Swedish. I also do well in written tasks.
  3. Have you participated in an official Finnish/Swedish language test (e.g., the YKI certificate)?
    1. No.
    2. Yes (which level and when?)
  4. What kind of Finnish/Swedish skills will you aim for in the future? In what situations would you like to be able to use Finnish? Please indicate which of the following best describes your goal/future.
    1. I will work and/or complete a traineeship in Finnish/Swedish.
    2. I will actively use Finnish/Swedish in everyday situations, hobbies and with my family and friends, but I work in English or another language.
    3. I understand Finnish/Swedish in everyday situations, but I do not actively use Finnish/Swedish in my hobbies, simple service situations and when communicating with friends.
    4. I do not think I will need Finnish/Swedish skills in the future.
  5. What is your concrete next goal?
    1. I will complete a Finnish/Swedish course.
    2. I will start using Finnish/Swedish in different situations.
    3. I will write an e-mail/another message in Finnish/Swedish.
    4. I will exchange news with my friends in Finnish/Swedish.
    5. I will watch a Finnish TV series/film / listen to a podcast/music /audio book in Finnish/Swedish. I will use subtitles if they are available.
    6. I will read news headlines in Finnish/Swedish.
    7. I will follow the news in plain Finnish weekly.
    8. I will do something else, please specify. Define it yourself:

Background questions

The purpose of the background questions of Language PSP is to inspire you to reflect on your own language learning style and method and to raise your awareness of the different areas of language skills and all the places where you can learn a language.

  1. What languages do you use in your everyday life?
  2. With whom and in which situations do you use these languages?
  3. What kind of language learning feels nice and meaningful to you? You can select multiple options. 
    1. I learn the language best on a course under the guidance of a language teacher.
    2. Independent study with the help of online materials (such as YLE Kielikoulu) and self-study materials is good for me.
    3. I study the language myself using a textbook and a dictionary.
    4. I learn and practise the language by listening. I listen to music, podcasts, conversations, etc.
    5. I learn and practise the language by watching TV shows, movies, YouTube videos, etc.
    6. I learn and practise the language by reading (plain) news or headlines, magazines, texts in my own field, blogs, etc.
    7. I learn and practise the language by reading and writing in informal situations, such as WhatsApp messages and social media.
    8. I like language games and language applications, such as Wordle and Duolingo.
    9. I like learning the language in social situations, for example at the cashier of a shop/café, talking to friends or a teacher, at the study office or in work situations.
    10. I like to experiment and use my existing language skills boldly in all situations.

Dream freely

  1. After graduation, I intend to live and work...
  2. If my current plans change, I will...
  3. If I were very fluent in Finnish/Swedish, then I’d...
  4. Five years from now, I see myself...