A1 Journal article (refereed)
Venäjänkielisten suomen puhumisen taito taustamuuttujien valossa (2024)
Ahola, S., & Hirvelä, T. (2024). Venäjänkielisten suomen puhumisen taito taustamuuttujien valossa. Idäntutkimus, 31(1), 4-21. https://doi.org/10.33345/idantutkimus.138163
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Ahola, Sari; Hirvelä, Tuija
Journal or series: Idäntutkimus
ISSN: 1237-6051
Publication year: 2024
Publication date: 12/04/2024
Volume: 31
Issue number: 1
Pages range: 4-21
Publisher: Venäjän ja Itä-Euroopan tutkimuksen seura
Publication country: Finland
Publication language: Finnish
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33345/idantutkimus.138163
Publication open access: Not open
Publication channel open access: Delayed open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/94678
Additional information: Artikkelit
Artikkeli avautuu journal.fi-palvelussa noin 6 kk:n kuluttua ilmestymisen jälkeen.
Abstract
The study examines Russian-speaking examinees’ (n=8412) oral proficiency in Finnish and changes in proficiency between 2012–2021 using the register data from a national high-stakes language test (National Certificate of Language Proficiency). According to the register data, Russian-speaking examinees’ oral proficiency has declined over the years. In this article, we discuss possible explanations for the decline in relation to the background factors of the examinees. The results show that the decline in oral proficiency was linked with the background factors. Male speakers were slightly weaker than female speakers, and older speakers weaker than younger ones. In addition, the age of the Finnish learner, their level of education and their length of time spent studying Finnish also played a role in their speaking ability. A high(er) level of education, young age and at least four years of Finnish language studies were associated with good speaking skills. The environment and frequency of language use also had a positive effect on oral proficiency: in particular, using the language in everyday interactions was significant for oral proficiency. Employment was correlated with good oral proficiency (level 4~B2), but unemployed people and students also tended to achieve a better-than-expected level 3 (B1).
Keywords: Russian speakers; adults; Finnish as a second language; language skills; oral language skills; language learning; evaluation; language examinations; underlying factors
Free keywords: puhumisen taito, aikuiset suomenoppijat, kielitaidon arviointi
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2024
Preliminary JUFO rating: 1