The CeLCS Language Diploma 2024 Prize awarded to Kandice Barros
This year's recipient was Kandice Barros, postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Technology. Kandice was recognized for showing exceptional motivation and commitment to her Finnish as a foreign language studies and for her enthusiasm to also develop her Finnish language skills in her free time. This year, the Language Diploma Prize was awarded to a student of Finnish as a foreign language, because the Centre for Language and Communication Studies wants to emphasize Finnish language learning and international student integration as the number of international degree programmes increases at the university.
Kandice started studying Finnish at the Centre for Language and Communication Studies last year when she moved from Brazil to Finland. According to Kandice, her love of challenges motivates her to study Finnish. Her flexible working hours and support from her boss have facilitated her Finnish language studies. In addition to the courses, she studies Finnish in her free time daily for example by watching the news and children's programmes in Finnish, listening to Finnish music and doing crosswords. She also organizes a drama club for Finnish learners. Kandice says she is lucky that she can also practice Finnish with her Finnish friends, that she has met for example through the university's Buddy programme and her hobbies, ice hockey and squash.
As for Kandice's advice for learners of Finnish and other languages, they should not be afraid of making mistakes when talking to people. According to Kandice, it's important to understand how you learn best: even though teaching offers something for everyone, students need to be active to learn a language. Kandice says that knowing Finnish in Finland is necessary as it gives you a sense of belonging and helps you integrate into the culture. She also thinks that communicating in Finnish in everyday life is an act of respect to the local culture and people.
Congratulations Kandice!
