Language learning plan
Editable material for drawing up a language learning plan.
Language-learning employee and supervisor.
Preparation 10 min, discussion 10-15 min.
Improvement of language proficiency is integrated into professional development.
The employee's language learning plan material can be used to start discussions on the national language Finnish official languages and proficiency in them, as well as language-aware practices of the work community as part of onboarding and development discussions. The material comprises two parts:
1) Employee's language proficiency goals:
- To be considered by the employee before the discussion.
- Questions are used by the employee to set goals for learning Finnish/Swedish before discussing with the supervisor.
- This can be found as a Word document below. The document can be edited to meet the needs of the work community.
2) Discussing language proficiency goals:
- Themes for discussion between employees and supervisors.
1) Employee's language proficiency goals
2) Discussing language proficiency objectives
The supervisor can bring up language proficiency goals during onboarding and in development discussions using the questions below. For background information, the discussion requires information on the support provided by the organisation for language learning: for example, does the employer support participation in language courses during working hours and what other support methods the organisation has in place (see the Language Boost Employers' page for tips).
- Which work scenarios in which you use or would need to use Finnish/Swedish seem challenging? In which scenarios are you doing well?
- What kind of Finnish/Swedish skills would you like to achieve? In which kind of work scenarios would you like to use Finnish/Swedish now? What about in the future?
- How can your work community and supervisors support you in achieving your goals? How would you like the work community to respond?
- What is the next concrete step towards your goal?
Why a language learning plan?
The language learning plan helps the employee and the employer to discuss language skills needed at work. When the plan is integrated in induction and regular development discussions, improvement of language skills needed at work becomes a systematic part of professional development.
When the employer is aware of the employee's wishes and objectives, planning targeted and meaningful measures in support of language proficiency development becomes easier. Looking at the employee’s future career and the role of language proficiency should also be considered when discussing with the supervisor: for example, what kinds of tasks are possible with different language abilities, and whether given tasks require a certain level of language proficiency.
After discussing the language learning plan, the employee has a plan for improving their language skills and an idea of the kind of support the employer provides for language learning. The supervisor, on the other hand, understands what kind of support that the employee would like from their work community, for example in everyday interaction, and can convey these wishes to the team or organisation.
You might be interested in
Language workshop
A workshop to discuss work-related (language) issues and find solutions together.
For example, 1 hour every other week, with participants writing down observations and questions between sessions.
Employees learn language relevant for their work.
Language mentor
Operating model for facilitating language issues in the work community.
Training (e.g. 1 day), working time reserved for facilitation.
Language mentor model supports language learning and increases language awareness in the work community.
Learning professional language at the workplace
Video on supporting professional language learning at the workplace.
Video duration 22 min.
The work community receives concrete methods for supporting language learning.
Pocketbook for supporting language learning
Method for learning professional language at the workplace.
Continuous work and regular discussion of observations.
Links language learning to the employee’s needs and work scenarios.
Tips for supporting Finnish learners
Tips for conversations with language learners and speaking clearly.
15 tips with examples.
Native-language employee learns to speak more clearly and to support the language learner in participating in discussions.
(Coming in English in 2024) Videot: Kieltä oppivan kollegan kohtaaminen
Kolme lyhyttä videota, joissa vinkkejä kieltä oppivan työtoverin kohtaamiseen
Yhteensä 2,5 minuuttia
Työyhteisön jäsenet oppivat suhtautumaan luontevasti erilaisiin kielitaitoihin vuorovaikutustilanteissa
Phrases for the break room: booklet and video
Discussion booklet (and video) with spoken phrases for the language learner and tips for speaking clearly for the native speaker.
15 themes, each with 3-4 phrases and a video of roughly a minute in duration (total video duration about 13 minutes); 15 tips for native speakers.
Encourages practising Finnish-language discussions in social situations at the workplace.
©2024 Tanja Asikainen-Kunnari ja Johanna Komppa
Kielenoppimissuunnitelma, elokuu 2024, jonka tekijät ovat Tanja Asikainen-Kunnari ja Johanna Komppa, on lisensoitu Creative Commons Nimeä 4.0 Kansainvälinen -lisenssillä. Materiaali on saatavilla osoitteessa kielibuusti.fi.