Project operators and sub-projects
Project operators
The project is carried out collaboratively by Aalto University, the Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, the University of Helsinki, the Laurea University of Applied Sciences, and the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.
Aalto University and the University of Helsinki coordinate the project and the national collaboration between the higher education institutions. The Haaga-Helia, Laurea and Metropolia Universities of Applied Sciences offer expertise in their respective sectors. Together, the higher education institutions will both produce and share for national use material generated in the project in accordance with their profiles and needs. All Finnish higher education institutions are invited to collaborate with the project.
Sub-projects
The project comprises four sub-projects (work packages) that are interlinked and mutually supportive. The development of Swedish language learning materials is included in each sub-project, whenever applicable. Aalto University bears special responsibility for sub-project 1, the University of Helsinki for sub-projects 2–4. The Haaga-Helia, Laurea and Metropolia Universities of Applied Sciences bring expertise to each sub-project in their respective sectors. The leaders of each sub-project can be found on the contact information page.
The sub-projects and their implementation rely on current research-based knowledge relating to language learning and multilingual work communities. In our work, we apply currently ongoing research in the following areas: functional models of language teaching, interaction practices of the multilingual work community, language awareness and linguistic socialisation in the everyday life of the workplace, and digital solutions in support of the development of language skills.
Read more about the sub-projects
The content produced and collected by Kielibuusti will be collected under one roof: on the one hand, into a national collaboration network for teaching Finnish/Swedish as a second language, on the other, into a digital online portal, which is set to be launched in 2023.
Sub-project 1 will formulate operational goals for the national collaboration network of higher education institutions, and pilot a collaboration model. Collaboration between higher education institutions is implemented in national and regional seminars and workshops (also organised by other sub-projects), and in the form of collaboratively produced content shared in the online portal.
The online portal will serve four different user groups: students of Finnish/Swedish as a second language, teachers of Finnish/Swedish as a second language, employer representatives, and study or career counsellors. The portal is designed to gather the content produced by Kielibuusti under one roof, in a clear and easily approachable form. We aim to safeguard the continuity of our operations by ensuring technical and content-related maintenance and the preconditions for the network’s functioning.
In sub-project 2, means to increase the efficiency of teaching and learning that utilise digital solutions will be developed, trialled, and investigated. We focus on a range of digital resources that learners can use independently or after receiving tips from their teachers (e.g., self-assessment tools, a dictionary for advanced learners). Another goal is to innovate new application solutions, such as applications that help tie language learning to the learner’s work, study and living environment (also known as context-aware applications).
In addition to producing materials, the sub-project strives to promote digital materials’ usability in the broader context. We will update and activate outdated digital learning materials and provide pedagogical support to other ongoing projects.
This sub-project develops models for learner-centred language teaching and the supervision of learning. Our pedagogy is based on themes and language use situations that are relevant to the learners, with a focus on operating in professional life. The models are especially designed to be applied in the language instruction provided by higher education institutions. Sub-project 3 also develops study modules, materials for continuous assessment, and other language pedagogical solutions. The professional collegiality and skills of teachers are developed in national seminars and workshops.
Sub-project 4 develops and models Finnish and Swedish language learning paths at higher education institutions. We focus on the needs of international master’s programmes and the orientation and mentoring of international staff. In addition, this sub-project examines and develops research-based models for language learning in work communities. We take into consideration both the employee as a language learner, and the work community and supervisors as enablers of language learning.
The models are based on the results of previous similar projects and research-based knowledge. During the project, we pilot various methods of language learning outside the classroom in international master’s programmes and multilingual work communities that employ people with higher education degrees.
Project steering group
- Hanna Snelmann, Vice-Rector, University of Helsinki (chair)
- Petri Suomala, Vice President for Education, Aalto University (chair)
- Ruslan Haarala, Senior Planner Officer, Uusimaa ELY Centre
- Jyrki Kalliokoski, Kielibuusti Project Leader, University of Helsinki / Salla Kurhila, Kielibuusti Project Leader, University of Helsinki
- Tuija Lehtonen, University Teacher, Finnish as a second language, INTEGRA Programme Coordinator, University of Jyväskylä
- Heidi Rontu, Vice President, Education, Metropolia
- Mikko Vieltojärvi, Adviser, Confederation of Finnish Industries
- Steering groups secretaries: Project coordinators Kaisa Oikarinen, Aalto University and Anna Sundqvist, University of Helsinki
