UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ The language situation in Finnish higher education – from a nationalist project towards answering multilingual demands Taina Saarinen, Sari Pöyhönen & Tarja Nikula Centre for Applied Language Studies University of Jyväskylä

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ Purpose of presentation Multilingualism and internationalization as HE policy goals How universities and polytechnics respond to the demands for multilingualism and internationalization. Data : The draft internationalization strategy for HE The Finnish International Study Programme Database & cases from the universities’ and UASs’ International BA and MA programmes (in the future: language strategies of universities)

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ Language (education) policy of Finnish higher education The language of tuition at universities is mostly Finnish, with the exception of two Swedish speaking and five bilingual (Finnish - Swedish) institutions The UAS (polytechnic) sector has a similar situation =>language of tuition a language policy solution and nation state solution; result of a historical development

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ (Draft) strategy for Internationalization of Finnish HE The goals presented in the strategy: Improving international study programmes (especially language skills of the teaching staff) Teaching national languages for foreign students and staff Strengthened position of English presented both as self- evident and as problem (but a problem for national languages, not for the versatility of national language reserves) Immigrants mentioned separately (as an underused but also problematic resource)

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ ”Finnish HE and universities have internationalized” –Air of self-evidence; increase in ”foreign language” tuition mentioned ”But compared to our competitors, the low level of internationalization is still one of our weaknesses”. – Not enough attention has been paid to teaching the national languages and culture for foreign students and staff => internationalization = incoming (international) students & staff ”Why should we become internationalized?” – ”International study and work improve language skills and improve labour market status, and improve mutual understanding between cultures and societies” => outgoing (Finnish) students and staff (Draft) strategy for Internationalization of Finnish HE

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ Immigrants – an ambivalent resource Immigrants are needed A) to fulfil the requirements of the working life in the globalised market Actions: Promoting work-related immigration Educating immigrants already in Finland

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ Immigrants – an ambivalent resource B) to understand and respect multiculturalism ie. ’difference’ of people Actions: Developing immigrants’ skills in Finnish and Swedish Removing linguistic and cultural obstacles in higher education Developing primary and secondary education No mentions of developing immigrants’ L1 skills National language reserve only maintained by native Finns? Possibilities for lifelong learning, to develop into experts?

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ International BA/MA/PhD programmes in Finnish universities and polytechnics Technology and natural sciences –English134 –Swedish0 –Other0 –Total134 Business, social sciences and law –English121 –Swedish2 –Other0 –Total123 Art, culture, and interdisciplinary –English68 –Swedish0 –Other5 –Total73 Health and well-being –English38 –Swedish0 –Other0 –Total38 International = in English (361 out of 368)

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ International programmes – for whom? (1) Variation between programmes. Examples from MA programmes of University of Jyväskylä: A) Finnish and international students –“the programme is designed for international and Finnish students” –“for both Finnish and international students” –“the programme is open to international as well as Finnish students

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ International programmes – for whom? (2) B) Mainly for international students: –“we are pleased to welcome international students” –“a global application process” –“the programme is open to applicants from all over the world” –“the programme recruits students worldwide”

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ But what kinds of students perceived as ’international’? Students from outside the borders of Finland rather than immigrants already in the country (cf. strategy for internationalization: “educating immigrants already in Finland is an urgent task in the process of internationalization”) –“ we have students from all over the world” –“International students should consult the instructions about visa and residence permit requirements” –“the global diversity of our students” –“16 students representing 13 nationalities” –“our Master’s Degree provides you with an experience of both the Finnish culture and of an international campus”

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ Languages in international programmes? Skills in English usually a prerequisite for studies rather than an aim of studies - “In order to carry out the studies successfully, the applicant should have good skills in both spoken and written English” Languages seldom mentioned as a motivation in international programmes. When they are, what does it mean? Examples: Laurea and Turku UAS Bachelor programmes:

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ Languages in international programmes? Laurea UAS: Business Management [DP] is delivered in English. The students learn professional competences in transnational and multi-domestic environment and with international dimension in the curriculum. Turku UAS: Information Technology As the program is truly international, with students from different cultures and with different backgrounds, you will have a great opportunity to improve your interpersonal and interoperability skills. Furthermore, all courses are given in English so you will also improve your language skills.

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ Why international study programmes? Meeting the demands to internationalize in two ways: – offering degree studies for students who have no knowledge of Finnish or Swedish But recruiting students from abroad rather than students with immigrant backgrounds from within Finland? – preparing Finnish students for increasingly international labour market But only in English?

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ Internationalization in Finnish HE –not a unified phenomenon –different aims: to attract foreign students but also to internationalize Finns (are these compatibe aims?) –the role of students with immigrant background ambivalent (special mentions in the strategy, invisibility in international programmes) What about internationalization outside the international programmes? Concluding remarks

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