A1 Journal article (refereed)
Koulutustaustan ja lähtötaitotason merkitys suomen kielen oppimiselle kotoutumiskoulutuksessa (2022)
The influence of educational background and initial level of proficiency in Finnish language learning in integration training
Seppälä, T. (2022). Koulutustaustan ja lähtötaitotason merkitys suomen kielen oppimiselle kotoutumiskoulutuksessa. Puhe ja kieli, 42(1), 17-44. https://doi.org/10.23997/pk.119692
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Seppälä, Tanja
Journal or series: Puhe ja kieli
ISSN: 1458-3410
eISSN: 2342-7213
Publication year: 2022
Publication date: 29/05/2022
Volume: 42
Issue number: 1
Pages range: 17-44
Publisher: Puheen ja kielen tutkimuksen yhdistys ry
Publication country: Finland
Publication language: Finnish
DOI: https://doi.org/10.23997/pk.119692
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Open Access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/81644
Additional information: Artikkelit
Abstract
This article examines language proficiency achieved in Finnish language during Integration Training for Adult Immigrants in Finland. In addition, the connections between language learning, educational background and initial level of Finnish are investigated. A total of 33 learners participated in the study; data were collected mainly by interviews and from Koulutusportti register. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s chi-square test and Spearman’s rank-order correlation. The analyses were complemented with examples of individual participants. The findings confirmed the results of previous studies. Only few learners achieve the target level B1.1 set by law by the end of the Integration Training. In this study writing appeared to be the most challenging of the four skills that were assessed. The findings showed also that educational background is associated with learning outcomes: the language proficiency of adults with elementary or vocational education was lower than the language proficiency of adults holding a university degree. Ten participants knew Finnish before they participated in the Integration Training, and their proficiency prior to the training predicted the oral language levels they reached. The findings are relevant for organising and assessing the Integration Training. The findings support the view that the educational background of the participants’ should be taken into account when the training is organised and evaluated. Additionally, the effectiveness of Integration Training should not be evaluated from the viewpoint of an unrealistic target level. Further, for several participants, the educational background information obtained from the interview differed from the Koulutusportti register information, which should be taken into account when using the register.
Keywords: language learning; language skills; integration training for immigrants; immigrants; Finnish as a second language; learning objectives; learning results; educational background
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2022
JUFO rating: 1