This paper deals with the English language in Finnish education and business. Furthermore, it shows how success and language skills are linked to each other, especially under the aspect of intercultural communication. Some examples show what kind of communication problems might emerge, when Finns communicate with native English speakers.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 1.1 Curriculum and historic approach
- 2. Language Teaching in Finnish primary and secondary schools
- 2.1 The growing importance of English
- 2.2 Content and Language Integrated learning
- 2.3 Languages in vocational training
- 3. Conclusion as regards education
- 4. The use of English for business purposes
- 4.1 English as a company language
- 4.2 English within the Finnish industry
- 5. Conclusions and discussion of the findings
- 6. A Finnish variety of English?
- 7. Recommendation
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines the role of English in Finnish education and business. It explores the impact of widespread English use on the study of other languages, particularly Swedish, and analyzes the importance of English in the Finnish business world, noting any unique Finnish approaches to its use.
- The status of English in Finnish education.
- The influence of English on the study of other languages in Finland.
- The significance of English in Finnish businesses.
- Finnish peculiarities in the use of English.
- The national curriculum for language teaching in Finland.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper, outlining its objectives: to investigate the standing of English in Finnish education and business, focusing on its impact on the willingness of Finns to learn other languages, particularly Swedish, and its importance in Finnish business. The author acknowledges the limitations of the study regarding Swedish due to word count and personal linguistic skills. The chapter establishes a foundation by briefly mentioning the historical context of English's increasing global influence and its position within the Finnish educational system.
1.1 Curriculum and historic approach: This section delves into the historical context of English in Finland, situating it within Crystal's expanding circle model. It highlights the national curriculum's uniform approach to education, where the primary language of instruction is the mother tongue, while simultaneously emphasizing English's growing importance as the most widely taught foreign language despite its lack of official status in Finland.
2. Language Teaching in Finnish primary and secondary schools: This chapter explores the high value placed on foreign language proficiency in Finnish education, detailing the curriculum's requirement for at least one modern foreign language and the second national language (Swedish). It provides a structured overview of language acquisition, highlighting the increasing dominance of English as the first foreign language of choice, often at the expense of other languages like Swedish. Statistical data illustrates this shift in language preferences among students.
2.1 The growing importance of English: This section focuses on the rising prominence of English in Finland and its potential effect on the importance of other languages, particularly Swedish. Data from the Finnish National Board of Education supports the hypothesis that English is increasingly chosen as the first foreign language, while the popularity of Swedish as a first language is declining. This is linked to the perceived greater benefits of English proficiency in a globalized business context, despite the mandatory study of Swedish for at least three years.
4. The use of English for business purposes: This chapter shifts focus to the crucial role of English in Finnish businesses. It explores the use of English as a company language and its prevalence within Finnish industries. The section likely investigates the practical implications of English proficiency in the workplace and potentially analyzes the advantages and challenges Finnish companies face in a globally competitive environment where English often serves as a lingua franca.
Keywords
English language, Finland, education, business, multilingualism, Swedish language, foreign language teaching, curriculum, globalization, language policy, World Englishes.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Study of English in Finnish Education and Business
What is the overall topic of this study?
This study examines the role of English in Finnish education and business. It investigates the impact of widespread English use on the study of other languages (particularly Swedish) and analyzes the importance of English in the Finnish business world, including any unique Finnish approaches to its use.
What are the key themes explored in the study?
Key themes include the status of English in Finnish education; the influence of English on the study of other languages in Finland; the significance of English in Finnish businesses; Finnish peculiarities in the use of English; and the national curriculum for language teaching in Finland.
What aspects of Finnish education are covered?
The study covers language teaching in Finnish primary and secondary schools, focusing on the growing importance of English, Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL), and languages in vocational training. It also examines the national curriculum and its historical approach to language education, highlighting the increasing dominance of English as the first foreign language of choice, often at the expense of other languages like Swedish. Statistical data illustrating this shift is presented.
How does the study address the use of English in Finnish business?
The study explores the use of English as a company language and its prevalence within Finnish industries. It likely investigates the practical implications of English proficiency in the workplace and analyzes the advantages and challenges Finnish companies face in a globally competitive environment where English often serves as a lingua franca.
What is the significance of Swedish in this study?
The study considers the impact of English's rising prominence on the study of other languages, particularly Swedish. It acknowledges limitations in fully addressing the Swedish language due to word count and the author's linguistic skills. Data suggests a decline in the popularity of Swedish as a first foreign language choice among students compared to English.
What are the main conclusions or findings of the study?
The main conclusions and findings are presented in a dedicated chapter. Specific details regarding these findings are not provided in the preview, but the study likely summarizes the overall importance of English in both Finnish education and business, its impact on other languages, and potential unique Finnish aspects related to English usage.
What are the keywords associated with this study?
Keywords include: English language, Finland, education, business, multilingualism, Swedish language, foreign language teaching, curriculum, globalization, language policy, and World Englishes.
What is included in the provided preview of the study?
The preview offers a comprehensive overview, including the title, table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. This provides a clear understanding of the study's scope and content.
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- Vera Metzen (Author), 2008, English in Finland , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/120866
