Finnish Language Clinic Was Chosen as the Language Deed of the Year
On 26 September 2014, the University of Turku working group on language matters chose the Finnish Language Clinic as the University of Turku Language Deed of the Year. The reward is addressed to the Head of the Clinic, Finnish Language and Culture for Foreigners Lecturer Kirsti Siitonen for the work she has done to promote the development of the language environment at the University.
Finnish Language Writing Clinic at Fennicum
The Language Deed of the Year has been chosen for the first time at the University of Turku. On the basis of the suggestions made by the University community, the reward is granted to a person, group, unit or other actor who has significantly advanced the realisation of the University Language Policy.
The University of Turku working group on language matters chose the Finnish Language Clinic as the University of Turku Language Deed of the Year 2014. The Clinic is an open form of guidance and teaching that offers further assistance to students and staff members who are non-native Finnish speakers and, despite being already advanced in their Finnish studies, need further guided practice. The teachers of the Clinic are Masters in the Finnish language who are engaged in research on Finnish as a second language.
The working group justified their choice by stating that the operation of the Finnish Language Clinic is a good example of promoting multilingualism.
– The members of the University community are encouraged in all academic operations to use Finnish and other languages in parallel when it is possible and serves a purpose. In this way, the language environment of the University of Turku can be developed towards becoming genuinely international. The Finnish Language Clinic realises in an exemplary way the goal of the Language Policy to promote the active development of a functioning, multilingual language community, says Quality Manager and Chairman of the working group in language matters Anu Mäkelä.
The awarded Kirsti Siitonen finds it important that language is paid attention to at the University of Turku. She says that more and more international staff and students participate in the Language Clinic, which has been operating since 2012.
‒ In Finland, the learners of Finnish with advanced education have few opportunities to consolidate their Finnish skills. Especially in the University community, the language seems to often switch to English. At the clinic, we can help to consolidate the already existing language skills. I thank you very much for the award and hope that you will let those who know Finnish speak it and that you yourselves speak Finnish to them, encourages Siitonen.
Text: Taru Suhonen
Photo: Hanna Oksanen
Translation: Aino Koivisto