Language learning requires time, up-to-date tools, motivation and support from the HEI community. Below you'll find some of the best practices developed in Finnish HEIs by the Kielibuusti project that increase the agency of international students in language learning. 

Hand-picking the best tools and materials  

Collecting useful tools for language learning support in one place makes them easy to find and to use! Kielibuusti.fi is an open access, free of charge website that offers information and materials for students, teachers, employers and counsellors alike. 

Language-aware guidance

Discussing the role of language skills in relation to the student’s career goals boost motivation and ensures the student has sufficient time to achieve their language goals during studies. Language PSP is a tool designed to help bring up language goals in guidance sessions. It can also be used as a classroom activity! 

Self-assessment

For language learners, figuring out their skill level and appropriate courses and exercises can sometimes be tough – a self-assessment tool helps! 

Self-study  

Students can complement their language course work with self-study materials choosing from a list of “language teacher approved” self-study tools. The list contains a short description of each tool as well as filtering opportunities, so that it is easy to find most effective self-study tools for each learner.

Encouraging multilingualism

Language skills develop best in supportive, multilingual communities. To promote their students’ language learning, HEIs should actively foster a learner-friendly, language-conscious atmosphere. Are different languages and speakers visible and audible on campus? Can internationals practice using the local language(s) in their everyday lives? Have the HEI’s multilingual practices been clearly communicated to students and staff? 

Motivation and everyday language learning

Language learners can struggle with wavering motivation, which is often caused by lack of support, unrealistic expectations or myths surrounding language learning. Motivation can be boosted by providing research-based information on language learning, inspiring experiences from other learners as well as tips to help the students incorporate language practice into their daily lives. 

Language-aware internships and support for employers  

Working language skills require practice at work! An internship is an excellent way for students to improve working language skills while employers can develop their multilingual practices. HEIs can promote language-awareness at workplaces by encouraging the employers to offer internships and recruit international students with developing language skills. Information and practical tools for language-aware internships can be found on Kielibuusti’s website.