Finnish for beginners (5cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Objective

You will learn the basics of Finnish phonetics and language structure (present tense verbs, sentence structure). You can use basic phrases and vocabulary in everyday situations (e.g. shopping, dining). You can tell about yourself, family and free time activities.

You will understand the most common words and phrases (greetings, numbers and simple questions about yourself) and make some basic questions and phrases.

Content

You will learn to
• understand and use familiar everyday expressions
• use very basic phrases
• introduce yourself and others
• ask and answer questions about personal details such as where you live, people you know and things you have.
You will study
• the basics of Finnish phonetics and language structure
• language learning strategies
• the typical features of the Finnish culture and way of life.

Teaching methods

Lectures, excercises / learning assignments

Exam schedules

Exam on 30.4.2026
Re-sit on 7.5.2026

Student workload

Lectures 25-35 h
Assignments and homework 30–45 h
Independent learning 45–50 h
Exams 10 h
Total 135 h

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

1 – You understand the most common words and phrases (greetings, numbers and simple questions about yourself) and make some basic questions and phrases, but you need help and repetition.

2 – You understand the most common words and phrases (greetings, numbers and simple questions about yourself) and you make some basic questions and phrases.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

3 – You know most of the basics of Finnish phonetics and language structure (present tense verbs, sentence structure). You understand basic phrases and vocabulary in familiar everyday situations (e.g. shopping, dining). You can tell about yourself, your family and free time activities.

4 – You know most of the basics of Finnish phonetics and language structure (present tense verbs, sentence structure). You can use basic phrases and vocabulary in familiar everyday situations (e.g. shopping, dining). You can tell about yourself, your family and free time activities.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

5 – You know the basics of Finnish phonetics and language structure (present tense verbs, sentence structure). You communicate with basic phrases and vocabulary in familiar everyday situations (e.g. shopping, dining). You can have an elementary conversation about personal details.

Qualifications

No prerequisites.

Further information

Continuous evaluation, self-evaluation

The assessment is based on learning objectives, quality and criteria.