Learning advanced Finnish: Explorations for second language AC quisition

Tania Rodriguez-Kaarto, Young Ae Hahn

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference article in proceedingsScientificpeer-review

    Abstract

    The Finnish government offers various educational programs to aid immigrants-currently 5.2 % of the population-in language acquisition and cultural assimilation, but the efficiency of these programs in improving high-skilled immigrants job opportunities has been questioned. This study uncoveres what impedes the high-skilled immigrants transition from intermediate level to advanced level language skills, and explores future instructional design solutions, with a qualitative study including textbook authors, instructors, and learners. Findings report that current teaching materials with too heavy emphasis on grammar, and instructors too strict teaching styles overrule what intermediate level learners need the most: comprehensible/communicative input optimal to the learners current level, professional vocabulary, practical conversation skills, and cultural knowledge. For this, we suggest new approaches: teaching materials with low cognitive loads and effective visual design, adaptiveinteractive text for personalized comprehension lessons, participatory storytelling platforms for personalized topics, and involving the whole community as a learning environment for more practice opportunities.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publication9th International Conference on Design and Emotion 2014
    Subtitle of host publicationThe Colors of Care
    PublisherUniversidad de los Andes
    Pages32-43
    Number of pages12
    ISBN (Electronic)9789587740707
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2014
    MoE publication typeA4 Conference publication
    EventInternational Conference on Design and Emotion - Bogota, Colombia
    Duration: 6 Oct 201410 Oct 2014
    Conference number: 9

    Conference

    ConferenceInternational Conference on Design and Emotion
    Country/TerritoryColombia
    CityBogota
    Period06/10/201410/10/2014

    Keywords

    • Design for social integration
    • Instructional-design
    • Professional language improvement
    • Second-language acquisition
    • Visual-communication design

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