UCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies
BA Module Outline for 2013/14
Module Title: Finnish Language Level 1
Module Coordinator: Dr Riitta-Liisa Valijärvi
Course Prerequisites: Open to students who have little or no knowledge of Finnish
Course Unit Value: 1.
Runs in (2013/14) Terms 1 and 2
Module Code: SEEF1001
Academic Level: First Level
Weekly Contact Hours: 5
Compulsory for: Finnish and East European Studies, Russian and Finnish, Russian with Finnish, Modern Languages combined degrees of
which Finnish is a component.
Pass required for: Progression to Finnish Level 2
Open to: All SSEES undergraduates, affiliate students, also UCL undergraduates, subject to timetable and resourcing constraints
Module Outline
This is a course for students who have little or no prior knowledge of Finnish and who wish to attain a level of competence which will allow
them to communicate effectively in a number of straightforward situations. Students will also be introduced to the reading of simple texts,
including works of literature, in Finnish. The course provides a knowledge of basic Finnish grammar and vocabulary as well as an
introduction to the culture of Finland and Finns.
At the end of the module you should have fulfilled the following aims and objectives
Aims:

To attain (in all language skills) a level of competence at which you can function in Finnish, at a basic level, in straightforward everyday
situations

To read selected texts in Finnish in the next stage of your degree (in courses requiring reading of literary and other texts) and for
interaction with native speakers of Finnish, whether in this country or when visiting Finland

To gain awareness of some of the problems and techniques of translation

To develop awareness of and interest in basic aspects of Finland and societies where Finnish is spoken

gain a sound linguistic foundation for the Finnish Level 2 Course.
Objectives:

to understand authentic basic spoken and written Finnish (including straightforward radio and television materials etc.)
presented at a measured pace; extract required information and record it accurately and coherently in English

to express orally and in writing simple facts, opinions and emotions and describe uncomplex sequences of events in Finnish;
participate in conversations relating to everyday life and on straightforward topics; using straightforward language, speak about
selected aspects of Finland, its life and culture

to demonstrate an understanding of basic grammatical concepts and an active knowledge of basic Finnish structures and
vocabulary.
Assessment Methods
Assessment Style: Examination. Oral (20 minutes); aural (45 minutes); written (3 hours)
Assessment Weighting: Oral (15%); aural (15%); written (70%)
Feedback
Examination: Students will be permitted access to markers comments on individual scripts in line with the SSEES Policy on Examination
Feedback.
Preliminary Reading
No preliminary reading is required. Course materials will include resources authored by the teacher, as well as textbooks, online resources
and other materials, a selection of which is given below:

Gehring, Sonja & Heinzmann, Sanni (2010) Suomen mestari 1. Helsinki: Finn Lectura. + CD

Karlsson, Fred (2007) Finnish: An Essential Grammar. London: Routledge.