Language and Communication Studies

Created 30.10.2024
Last Updated: 8.11.2024

In working life, you need a wide range of language and communication skills. The aim of language and communication studies at the University of Applied Sciences is to prepare students for the demands of working life and internationalisation. Language studies focus on professional language and communication skills, with an emphasis on professional, workplace, and practical relevance.

Please note! If the language of your secondary education has been Finnish or Swedish see the information of language and communication studies here.

Learning Finnish is essential for living, studying and working in Finland. Fluency in Finnish will greatly enhance your ability to integrate into Finnish society, succeed in your studies and improve your employment prospects.

International degree students of Lapland UAS have 10-20 ECTS of Finnish language studies included in their degree. In addition, it is recommendable to choose free choice electives of Finnish language study units. See for example the study units Finnish club and YKI training. If your degree studies only include 10 ECTS of Finnish, you are welcome to take additional courses (Finnish 3 and Finnish 4). The levels of our Finnish courses are based on CEFR.

This is how you can choose the best study units for you:

A. Starting from scratch?

If you don’t know any Finnish yet, the basic Finnish study units are part of your degree programme. You just need to follow the degree programme study path from the beginning.

B. What if I speak some Finnish already?

If you have some prior knowledge of the Finnish language, you can substitute the Finnish language study units included in your degree programme. The Lapland University Language Centre offers 25 credits of B1-B2-level Finnish language study units. Note, that you need to fill in a PIA application. See for example,

  • XFIN0221 Suomen rakenne- ja tekstikurssi 1(CEFR B1.1) (3 ECTS)
  • XFIN0223 Suomen suullinen kielitaito 1 (CEFR B1.1) (2 ECTS)

C. I am already a pro in Finnish!

If you speak fluent Finnish already and you think you don’t need to study more Finnish, you may follow these instructions:

  1. Apply for substitution in Peppi.
  2. Present a certificate and/or study register of prior Finnish language studies.

If you don’t have a certificate, you may show your Finnish language competence in a skills demonstration. Contact a Finnish language teacher for more information.

Finnish language studies are offered by Lapland UAS, by a team of Finnish teachers. When you are looking for a suitable course see the study unit schedule and enroll in Peppi.

 

Are you interested in evaluating your skills level in Finnish? Take YKI-test! The national certificate of language proficiency (YKI test) is a language test for adults. You may use the test for example:

  • to evaluate your progress and level of language learning
  • to demonstrate your language skills to apply for a job or a place to study
  • to demonstrate your level of language proficiency to acquire the Finnish citizenship

There are three levels of YKI test and each test consists of four subtests: speaking, writing, listening comprehension, and reading comprehension. Each test is evaluated separately. The places to participate in the test, the test dates, and additional information you may find on Opetushallitus web pages. You may also find information about the test fee and register for the test here.

Want to know more about the YKI test? Check these:

 

Make learning and using Finnish part of your everyday life! 

Explore great language learning tips and materials from Kielibuusti webpages.

 

PLAY GAMES AND USE APPS

  • Start your Finnish studies by playing the web game Jäämaa
  • Play daily Finnish language learning supporting phone apps, like Duolingo and Quizlet

 

PARTICIPATE ONLINE COURSES

 

READ, WATCH AND LISTEN

  • Use the local Librarys services in Kemi and Rovaniemi
  • Yle Areena is Finland’s most versatile streaming service. Watch and listen to series, movies, podcasts, documentaries, news, sports, live broadcasts etc.

 

MEET PEOPLE

Beside reading and listening, it´s important to use the language in everyday life. The easiest way for that is to find someone to talk with. Don´t make it too difficult. You don´t need handle the language perfectly. People will understand! Just start in shops, public transportation, school restaurant etc. There are also some specific meeting places:

In Rovaniemi

In Kemi

  • Take part in groups and events in multicultural centre Mixeri
  • Check your face to face Finnish classes. See for example Kivalo-opisto, Kemi

Contact information

  • Riikka Partanen

    Senior Lecturer | Bachelor of Business Administration, Business Economics, Bachelor of Business Administration, Business Economics / Educational Sciences