Language and communication studies

The language proficiency is described with a six-level scale:

Proficient user:
C2 Perfect, precise and correct use of language in complex situations
C1 Diverse and effective use of language

Independent user:
B2 Fluent and spontaneous communication
B1 Deals with the language whilst travelling

Basic user:
A2 Social interaction and brief descriptions
A1 Basic needs and very familiar topics with simple phrases

Target levels in different levels of education 

upper secondary school/high school/sixth form college: Swedish B1, English B2
upper secondary vocational education and training: Swedish A1 – A2, English A2 – B2
institutes of higher education/universities: Swedish B1, English B2

N.B. The aim of language studies at the higher education institution is to broaden the skills towards a profession/discipline, not to raise from one level to another.

The Master’s degrees do not include compulsory language and communication studies.

Depending on your degree programme at SAMK, you will complete at least the following compulsory language and communication studies:

• Foreign language, English for Working Life: 3 cr
• Second national language, Svenska i arbetslivet: 3 cr (Finnish students) or Finnish: 3 cr (non-Finnish students in English degree programmes)
• Professional communication: 3 cr
• Research communication: 2 cr

Language studies in degree programmeslaunch

In addition to these, you can take elective and preparatory language studies.

Universities of Applied Sciences Act (unofficial translation)

§ 7 Language skills  

During the studies included in the degree of a university of applied sciences or otherwise, the student must demonstrate to have acquired:

1)    such language skills in Finnish and Swedish which are required of state officials functioning in a bilingual office of a public organization according to Act 424/2003 and which are necessary for practicing the profession and for further professional development; and

2)    such spoken and written skills in one or two foreign languages which are necessary for practicing the profession and for further professional development.

What is decreed by clause 1 does not apply to a student who has acquired his/her school education in other language than Finnish or Swedish, nor a student who has acquired his/her school education abroad. Thus the language skills requirements are decided by the university of applied sciences.

The university of applied sciences, based on a special reason, can exempt the student partly or entirely from the language requirements decreed in clause 1. The language skills acquired by the student are presented in the degree certificate. Records of the language skills in Finnish and Swedish must observe the Government decree (481/2003) § 19 issued by the state administration.

Government decree on demonstrating language skills in Finnish and Swedish in state administration:

19 § Records of language skills in higher education certificate 
(unofficial translation from Government Decree 481/2003, English translation not available)

The degree certificate of a higher education institution degree states

• your language of school education and maturity test, and
• the language in which you have completed the language test or studies demonstrating spoken and written skills in the country’s second language

How to define the language of school education?

If you have completed a vocational upper secondary qualification, your language of school education is the language in which you completed the native language syllabus (not as a second language) at comprehensive school.

If you have graduated from upper secondary school, your language of school education is the language in which you completed the native language syllabus (not as a second language) at upper secondary school.

You can check your language of school education from the school-leaving certificate of comprehensive or upper secondary school. The matriculation examination (or IB, EB, Reifeprüfung) does not influence the language of school education.

If you have completed your upper secondary qualification abroad, your language of school education is the language in which you completed the native language syllabus at comprehensive school.

Did you complete the native language syllabus in Finnish at comprehensive school, but in Swedish at upper secondary school? (Or vice versa.) In this case, you can choose, when starting your studies at a university, which language you want to use as your language of school education throughout your studies.

If your language of school education is some other language than Finnish or Swedish

Your language of school education is “other language than Finnish or Swedish”:

• If you didn’t complete the native language syllabus in Finnish or Swedish at comprehensive or upper secondary school
• If you didn’t complete your secondary school education (comprehensive school and upper secondary school) in a Finnish school
• If you don’t have a school-leaving certificate from a Finnish comprehensive or upper secondary school.

If your language of school education is other than Finnish or Swedish, you cannot use it to demonstrate the excellent proficiency in Finnish or Swedish required for central-government positions in the language of the majority population in bilingual areas. Government Decree 481/2003 on the demonstration of language skills in Finnish and Swedish (unofficial translation of Valtioneuvoston asetus suomen ja ruotsin kielen taidon osoittamisesta valtionhallinnossa, 481/2003, English translation not available).

Instead, you can demonstrate that you have the required excellent language proficiency with the tests included in the matriculation examination: the native language test (Finnish or Swedish) with the grade of magna cum laude approbatur or higher, or the Finnish or Swedish as a second language test with the grade of eximia cum laude approbatur or higher.

The student can for a particular reason be partly or entirely exempted from completing compulsory language studies stipulated in Act 1129/2014 § 7. Particular reasons include the following a) the student has not studied the language before b) the language is the student’s native language or c) other reason, e.g. a diagnosed severe dyslexia or other verified learning difficulty, which affects language learning.

This means that the student does not need to complete the compulsory language studies in a foreign language and/or in one national language included in the curriculum. However, exemption does not decrease the number of credits required for the degree and the student has to complete other studies with the same number of credits as the compulsory language studies. If possible, these studies should support language studies. However, if the student has clearly problems in learning languages, they can complete other studies which support the degree studies. Information on the exemption is marked in the supplement of the diploma.

The entire procedural instructions on completing the studies and exemptions from the compulsory language studies can be found in Quality manual, in ARC.

ME1202 Completing studieslaunch (ARC requires SAMK-login)

ME1203 Exemption from language studieslaunch (ARC requires SAMK-login)

The exemption application can be found from Loki (PSL, section RPL) and it is addressed to the Student Services Secretary of the student’s faculty.

German in English 1, 5 cr

This course offers you tools to get started with your German studies. The course will introduce simple everyday language situations, which are practiced both during online lessons as well as on your own time. You are expected to know English since it is the language used in teaching, alongside with German. No previous studies in German are required.

Level A1.1

German in English 2, 5 cr

This course continues German 1 and offers you more tools to your German studies.The course will introduce more everyday language situation, which are practiced both during online lessons as well as on your own time. English is the language used in teaching though we are using more German now. Participation to the course requires that you have completed German1 or you already have the knowledge of the basics.

Level A2.1

Spanish in English 1, 5 cr

This course offers you tools to get started with your Spanish studies. The course will introduce simple everyday language situations, which are practiced both during online lessons as well as on your own time. You are expected to know English since it is the language used in teaching, alongside with Spanish. No previous studies in Spanish are required.

Level A1.1

Spanish in English  2, 5 cr

This course continues Spanish 1 and offers you more tools to your Spanish studies.The course will introduce more everyday language situation, which are practiced both during online lessons as well as on your own time. English is the language used in teaching though we are using more Spanish now. Participation to the course requires that you have completed Spanish1 or you already have the knowledge of the basics.

Level A2.1

Finnish 1, 3 cr

This course offers you tools to get started with your Finnish studies. You will learn the basics of Finnish language. The course will introduce simple everyday language situations at home and at working life, which are practiced both in classroom as well as your own time. You are expected to know English since it is the language used in teaching, alongside with Finnish. No previous studies in Finnish are required.

Level A1.2

Finnish 2, 4 cr

This course continues Finnish 1 and offers you more tools to your Finnish studies. You will learn more the basics of Finnish language. The course will introduce simple everyday language situations at home and at working life, which are practiced both in classroom as well as your own time.
English is the language used in teaching though we are using more Finnish now. Participation to the course requires that you have completed Finnish 1 or you already have the knowledge of the basics.

Level A2.1

Finnish 3, 3 cr

The student can manage both everyday situations related to the topics mentioned below and some professional communication. The student can also describe one’s own life experiences, plans for the future and opinions and discuss topics mentioned below in different tenses. The student can understand and participate in a discussion on most everyday topics, as well as write about their everyday situations, e.g. applications, studies, living in Finland, dealing with officials etc. The student understands and can communicate in basic professional Finnish.

Level A2.2

Finnish 1, 5 cr 

The student can manage simple everyday communicative situations using expressions related to one´s personal life and surroundings. The student can understand and produce short texts on familiar and everyday topics (e.g. e-mail, text message) by using the basic grammatical structures and vocabulary. Possible themes include personal life, family and friends.

Level A1

Finnish 2, 5 cr 

Student can manage everyday communicative situations related to the topics mentioned below. The student can also describe one’s own life experiences more extensively and discuss topics mentioned below in different tenses. The student can understand and participate in a discussion on topics familiar to him/her, as well as write a short description of a situation connected to an everyday situation, e.g. short letters, notes, applications. The student understands and can communicate in basic professional Finnish.

Level A2

The aim of the preparatory language studies is to strengthen your basic language proficiency so that it will be possible for you to complete the compulsory professional language studies. In the Finnish degree programmes, an English and a Finnish Placement test are performed. Finnish students in English degree programmes take a Swedish Placement test. The target level is B1 (Swedish) in the CERF, Common European Framework of Reference. You will be directed to the preparatory language studies based on the Placement test. The preparatory Swedish course, Brush up your Swedish, will be completed before the actual Swedish studies. For the non-Finns in English degree programmes we offer a preparatory English course, Brush up your English, as an elective language study.

Brush up your English, 4 cr, language of instruction English

The student has the skills to cope with the compulsory English language studies included in their degree. The student knows how to use the central structures and vocabulary of the English language both in spoken language and in writing. The student recognizes their own strengths and development needs.

Target level CEFR B1 (at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Brush up your Swedish, 4 cr, language of instruction Finnish

The student can use the main structures and vocabulary of the Swedish language in oral and written communication situations related to the most common everyday needs at work and in leisure time. The student identifies their strengths and development needs. The student is able to cope with the compulsory professionally oriented studies of Swedish as part of their degree. Target level A2-B1 on the European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

N.B. The course is intended especially for those students who have not passed the Placement test.

• In the beginning of studies, you will take independently a Swedish and/or English placement test in Moodlelaunch.
• Log in to Moodle with your SAMK identification and find your group’s placement test. The password for the test is the group code, e.g. NLT20SP1, which you received from the teacher tutor.
• Take the placement test by the announced deadline.
• You can take each test only once. You have 90 minutes per test.
• The total score is 100. You pass with a minimum of 50 points.
• Do not use any assistive device (e.g. dictionaries). In this way you will have reliable information on your language skills. This is important considering your future language studies.
• Placement tests are not obligatory for students who have passed the English and/or Swedish studies belonging to the degree in another higher education institution.
• If necessary, based on the results, you will be directed to Preparatory studies, which belong to the elective studies.

Language tutors are SAMK language teachers who support and instruct you with issues concerning language and communication studies. Please, contact your specific language tutor (see the list below) if you have special questions regarding your language and communications studies – for example, if you are wondering whether your skills are adequate for a certain language course.

Language tutors at SAMK:  

Service Business: Business, Tourism, Entrepreneurship (Finnish degree programmes): Satu Jyllilä, satu.jyllila@samk.fimail

Service Business: Business (Huittinen, Finnish degree programme) Industrial Tourism Management: Annika Valo, annika.valo@samk.fimail

Technology (Pori, Finnish degree programmes)

Swedish: Minna Iitti, minna.iitti@samk.fimail

English: Päivi Sorvi, paivi.sorvi@samk.fimail

Health and welfare (Finnish degree programmes), Mechatronics, Data Engineering: Sanna Lomma-Lahtinen, sanna.lomma-lahtinen@samk.fimail 

Health and welfare (International degree programmes): Henna Tiittanen, henna.tiittanen@samk.fimail

Logistics and Maritime Technology: Business (Rauma), Logistics (Finnish degree programme), Industrial Management and Technology (Rauma): Monica Engel, monika.engel@samk.fimail

International Business, Sea Captain, Maritime Engineering, Logistics (International degree programmes): Erika Hein, erika.hein@samk.fimail

Have you completed language or communication studies during your earlier studies in an institute of higher education or acquired proficiency in some other way?

Depending on your situation, you can get your prior learning recognised in different ways:

• Substitution refers to a procedure, where the studies which are part of the curriculum of a degree are substituted by equivalent studies from another higher education institution. A certificate for these studies is required from the higher education institution. The substitution application is addressed to the Student Services Secretary of the student’s faculty
• Inclusion is a procedure, where the studies completed in another higher education institution either before starting the present studies at SAMK or during them are accepted as part of the degree. A certificate for these studies is required from the higher education institution. The studies are registered in Loki under the name used to complete them, e.g. exchange studies abroad or elective studies. Depending on the degree programme, the inclusion application is addressed to the Student Services Secretary of the student’s faculty.

Demonstration of competence is a procedure that can be used to identify competence other than university studies. It can be shown with certificates or as an evaluated RPL exam. If you have acquired the language and/or communication skills required for the degree programme’s curriculum in some other way than at a university, and you have a certificate for it, for example, the so-called YKI certificate of the Finnish language, or the degree certificate of a degree completed with English as the medium of instruction, contact the teacher of the course in question. For more information on the evaluated RPL exam, see below.

The certificate of language proficiency serves as a demonstration of competence only for the compulsory language and communication studies included in the degree. The demonstration of competence for the elective language studies can be shown by contacting the teacher of the language in question.

A correctly completed application speeds up the processing. It is important to note that the application is of the right type and that all necessary attachments are included or a working link to the electronic transcript of records. The processing time will be shorter if the application is addressed to the right person.

The application queues are usually longer at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters when new students start. In this case, the application processing times are longer, up to 4 weeks. Outside of peak times, decisions come faster.

Foreign language, usually English

a) Statutory language skills shown previously in another degree are included in the degree studied.

b) If the student has shown the required language skills by completing equivalent studies or studies at the same level (CEFR) in another higher education institution and the studies are not included in any degree, the language studies are accepted as such even if the extent is not quite the same if it is not more than ten years since the completion of the studies. Over ten-year-old language studies, which are not included in any degree, are primarily not directly included in the degree being studied, but competence is shown by demonstration of competence.

c) If the student has completed a degree with English as the medium of instruction, they can apply for demonstration of competence by contacting the teacher of the course in question.

Second national language

a) Statutory language skills shown previously in another Finnish degree are included in the degree studied.

b) If the student has shown the required language skills by completing equivalent studies or studies at the same level (CEFR) with similar goals in a Finnish higher education institution, and the studies are not included in any degree, the language studies are accepted even if the extent is not quite the same.

c) If the student has completed the National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI certificate) at least at level three (3) or the Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate, the student applies for demonstration of competence based on the certificate by contacting the teacher of Swedish in their degree programme. (Government Decree 481/2003 on the Demonstration of Language Skills in Finnish and Swedish in Public Administration, Act on the Knowledge of Languages Required of Personnel in Public Bodies 424/2003).

Professional Communication

Over ten-year-old language studies, are primarily not directly included in the degree being studied, but competence is shown by demonstration of competence. It is recommended to update the communication course included in the previous degree, either as proof of competence or as a new course completion, because the ways of communication have changed a lot in the last 10 years. Agree on the demonstration of competence with the teacher of the course in question.

What is RPL?

Before entering the process of Recognition of prior learning (RPL) discuss with the language teacher responsible for RPL in your degree programme.

With the help of RPL, i.e. Recognition of prior learning, you are able to include the competences acquired earlier as parts of your studies in the higher education institution. Thus, it is possible to avoid overlapping studies and, on the other hand, make the studies more meaningful from the student’s perspective. Additional underlying objectives are the ideas of promoting student mobility, increasing the transparency of education as well as enabling a flexible progress of the studies. RPL aims at supporting the individual study plan of the student.

More information on RPL/(A)HOT, substitution, inclusion and demonstration of competence can be found for example in ME1202 Completing studieslaunch (ARC requires SAMK-login).

Demonstration of prior competence for English is done by passing a written exam in the EXAM room and by giving an oral demonstration at a stipulated time.

The RPL demonstration of competence requires passing both written and oral parts of the exam.

Recognition of prior learning (AHOT) for English means the same as completing the course: English for Working Life 3 cr, SY222303 as an evaluated demonstration of competence. The required skill level of the English course is B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). You can find instructions, schedules and more detailed information on AHOT/RPL Moodle site.launch

NB! Log in to the section of your own field. Passwords for the different fields:

Field > Password
Nursing >Nursing
Technology >Technology
Tourism >Tourism
International Business > Business

Demonstration of prior competence for Finnish is done by passing a written exam in the EXAM room and by giving an oral demonstration at a stipulated time.

Recognition of prior learning (AHOT) for Finnish means the same as completing either the course:

Finnish 1, CEFR A1.2, 3 cr, SY222305 -> The required skill level A1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

or the course:

Finnish 3, CEFR A2.2 3 cr, V200BH79 -> The required skill level A2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

as an evaluated demonstration of competence.

The RPL demonstration of competence requires passing both written and oral parts of the exam.

You can find instructions, schedules and more detailed information on AHOT/RPL Moodle site.launch

Password: Finnish

N.B. If you already have a certificate of your Finnish skills, please contact the teacher of the Finnish course in question.

a) Substitution: requires a higher education certificate.

Substitutes studies in the curriculum with equivalent studies in another institute of higher education.

b) Demonstration of competence: requires a certificate (other than higher education, e.g. YKI)

A procedure whereby a competence achieved, other than higher education studies, can be identified and recognised.

The certificate of language proficiency serves as a demonstration of competence only for the compulsory language and communication studies included in the degree. For elective language studies, the certificate of language proficiency cannot be used to make the application of the demonstration of competence. The demonstration of competence for the elective language studies can be shown by contacting the teacher of the language in question.

In these cases, a or b, you are not required to demonstrate your skills in Finnish in any other way than with your certificate.

Demonstration of prior competence for Swedish is done by passing a written exam in the EXAM room and by giving an oral demonstration at a stipulated time.

Recognition of prior learning (AHOT) for Swedish means the same as completing the courses: Svenska I arbetslivet, skriftlig färdighet, 1,5 cr, SY220301 and Svenska i arbetslivet, muntlig färdighet 1,5cr SY220302 as an evaluated demonstration of competence. The required skill level of the Swedish course is B1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

The demonstration of the proficiency of the so-called civil service Swedish requires the approval of both written and oral demonstration. Both demonstrations are assessed separately with their own grades. On the basis of these performances, the language clause of the diploma records the written and oral proficiency of the second domestic language in accordance with the Decree. Grades 1 to 3 provide competence: satisfactory competence and grades 4 to 5: good competence.

However, if the student has already completed one of the parts, for example, they can now give a demonstration of the other part only.

You can find instructions, schedules and more detailed information on AHOT/RPL Moodle site.launch

NB! Log in to the section of your own field. Passwords for the different fields:

Field > Password
Artificial Intelligence > Tietojenkäsittely
Industrial Management > Tuotanto
International Business > Liiketalous
International Tourism Management > Matkailu
Logistics > Logistiikka
Mechatronics > Konetekniikka
Nursing > Hoitotyö
Physiotherapy > Fysioterapia
Sea Captain > Captain

You are entitled to individual support arrangements for your studies if you have an illness, disability or other obstacle impeding the progress of your studies. Discuss the matter with your Teacher Tutor or Student Counsellor, fill in the application for individual study arrangements and send the application (OP16 Application for Individual Study Arrangementslaunch) to the Special Needs Teacher as an e-mail attachment (erityisopettaja@samk.fimail). Do not attach any expert opinions concerning the obstacles impeding the progress of your studies to the e-mail.

When the Special Needs Teacher has received your application, they will invite you to a guidance discussion, in which you present the expert opinion concerning the obstacle impeding the progress of your studies. The decision on the individual study arrangements is made by the Head of Teaching of your degree programme based on the proposal from the Special Needs Teacher.

Read more in procedural instruction ME1211 Accessibility of studies (ARC, requires logging in)launch

There are learning difficulties at all educational stages. University students can also have difficulties which obstruct learning and hinder making progress in studies. The difficulties may be various and of multi-level. Motivation, support by the environment and finding suitable study methods do have an effect on how well the student succeeds in his/her studies. We talk about special difficulties of learning when the problems are significant in relation to the student’s talents and educational level. Special learning difficulties are e.g. dyslexia, mathematical difficulties and perceptual problems.

The most common of learning difficulties is the special difficulty of reading. Reading and writing difficulty, dyslexia, has been defined in various ways. According to most recent studies, it is originally a neurobiological, developmental and hereditary disorder. The reading and writing difficulty can change over time. It is characterized by problems with accurate and fluent reading in addition to problems with comprehending the read text. (ICD-11; WHO, 2018.)
The appearance of dyslexia is individual. There can be problems with technical reading, percepting sound correlation, writing and understanding text. Youngsters’ and adults’ reading is often slow. Most difficulties arise especially with foreign languages. Dyslexia makes study performances needing reading difficult, as well as everyday life. It is not a consequence of a deficiency of sight or hearing nor of a neurological illness. (NMI, 2020.)

Read more.launch

Dyslexia is a typical reasonfor a student to be granted individual support.

Ms Pia Lahdenmaa is responsible for dyslexia testing at Satakunta UAS. Students willing to test for dyslexia may contact her directly via email and agree on a test date. Before the actual individual testing, the candidate performs a digital screening. The individual test and screening follow standards only for students whose mother tongue is Finnish.

With difficulties in learning languages, you will get help from the language tutors and your own language teachers. Before taking the dyslexia test, discuss with them and consider the need for individual support arrangements.

In addition to learning difficulties, also other reasons may affect the need for support arrangements. These are e.g. neurological disorders, such as ADD/ADHD, ASD or Tourette’s disorder, mental problems or various sensory disabilities. A physician, neurologist or other expert assesses the need for special support. If you need the statement, please contact the public health nurse, who will direct you to the appropriate expert.

Dyslexia tester:

Pia Lahdenmaa
pia.lahdenmaa@samk.fimail

The YKI test assesses general language skills in practical situations. The test consists of four subtests: speaking, listening comprehension, writing, and reading comprehension.

National Certificate of Language Proficiency in Finnish Language (Intermediate B-level)

Satakunta University of Applied Sciences organizes tests in Finnish in the intermediate level (B-level). The Intermediate level tests provide an official certificate of language proficiency at levels 3-4 (B1-B2).

Fees

The examination fee for the test of the intermediate level is EUR 176. Paid registration for the YKI test is binding and the Act on National Certificates of Language Proficiency imposes strict conditions for the test fee refund. The test fee includes only one certificate, which you will receive approximately two months after the test date. A copy of the certificate can be ordered by e-mail at yki-info@jyu.fimail. The cost of the copy is €20.

The test days and registration for YKI tests

You can find the test days on the webpage of the Finnish Agency for Education (see below).

The test centre is Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, Pori Campus. An information letter will be sent by e-mail before the test day. The letter will contain all the instructions for the test day, e.g. the campus opening hours and doors.

The registration is binding, which means that, as a rule, the fee will not be refunded if a person cancels the test.

More information and the registration for YKI testslaunch

Special arrangements

If a person taking the test needs special arrangements due to, for example, a hearing or visual impairment or reading difficulties, they can fill in an application to obtain them. Special arrangements can only be applied for at the time of registration.

More information on special arrangements on the webpage of the Finnish Agency for Educationlaunch

Getting ready for the test

Here are some links (some only in Finnish) to help you prepare for the test

National Certificate for Language Proficiency (the website of the Finnish Agency for Education)launch

Example exercises for the test, University of Jyväskylä (in Finnish)launch

Ykitreenit, YLE (in Finnish)launch