Language guidelines 1

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2 Aalto University language guidelines Aalto University language principles There are three working languages: Finnish, Swedish, and English Everyone is included in discussion Multilingualism is a strength Good communication skills are fostered By decision of the President on December 17,

3 Internationalisation and multiculturalism build on the foundation of a bilingual country. Introduction International and multicultural Aalto University 1 By building on Finnish strengths, Aalto University aims to become an internationally renowned university. The Aalto University Language Guidelines are inspired by an analogous logic: internationalisation and multiculturalism build on the foundation of a bilingual country. Internationalisation is an important part of Aalto University s building process. As per the Aalto University strategy, the purpose of these Language Guidelines are to ensure that the Aalto community can internationalise without diminishing the role of the national languages, Finnish and Swedish, in academic discourse. Aalto community embraces Finland s bilingualism in Nordic cooperation. Operating in an officially bilingual country, Aalto University is required by law to provide education and certain services both in Finnish the language of about 92 per cent of the inhabitants of the country and in Swedish the language of about 5 per cent of the population. In these Language Guidelines, the national legislation and regulations on languages have been taken into account. Therefore, it follows that the University embraces Finnish, Swedish and English as its working languages. International members of the Aalto community have opportunities to learn about Finnish culture, as well as the Finnish and/or Swedish languages. Similarly, linguistic and multicultural training is available for all members of the community. These Language Guidelines will be supplemented by a separate implementation plan

4 2 The Language Guidelines promote multilingualism and multiculturalism at Aalto University. Multilingual culture The Language Guidelines promote multilingualism and multiculturalism at Aalto University. Aalto University: encourages linguistic diversity and parallel use of languages within the community develops working methods and creates a foundation for high-quality communication recognises the challenges of internationalisation teaches and conducts research also in Finnish and Swedish in order to ensure the academic use and development of national languages supports the integration of international students and staff

5 3 Multilingualism in practice 1. Research Research publications are characterised by coherent argumentation and fluent language. Researchers are provided with editing, proof-reading and translation services. Aalto University plays an active role in developing Finnish and Swedish terminology for academic discourse. Aalto University research publications written in English ideally include either a Finnish or Swedish summary. 2. Studying Degrees and education are offered in Finnish, Swedish or English. There will be designated persons responsible for Swedish and English studies. During the bachelor s degree studies the Swedish-speaking students will be given an opportunity to take exams and to discuss their coursework and theses in Swedish. Aalto University provides the majority of its master s degrees in English whereas bachelor s degrees are mainly in Finnish and/or Swedish. The language of instruction for each course is specified in the curriculum, and the teaching staff is obligated to use the language specified. Degree programs at graduate level must define the learning outcomes pertaining to the language, communication and intercultural skills relevant for the field of study. International students are given the opportunity to study either the Finnish and/or Swedish languages. Theses and coursework must be of sufficiently fluent linguistic quality. 3. Teaching Good language and communication skills are part of the pedagogical requirements for teaching staff. Those teaching in a language other than their mother tongue are required to demonstrate their proficiency in the language of instruction. Teachers are provided with pedagogical support and training to enhance their skills in teaching in English in a multicultural academic environment. International staff members are given the opportunity to study the Finnish and/or Swedish languages. 4. Services and internal communication Documents are of good communicative quality. When recruiting new employees, language proficiency is an asset. Aalto University offers high-quality editing, translation and proof-reading services in Finnish, Swedish and English. International staff members are given the opportunity to study the Finnish and/or Swedish languages. Aalto University has a unified terminology for its core concepts. The language of Aalto documents is defined according to the content. Most important internal documents are also available in English. 5. External communication External communication is defined/characterised by consistency, awareness of the target group, situation, medium and language to serve the audiences to which they are intended. The Aalto University website is maintained in Finnish, Swedish and English. The language of external communication in international contexts is English. In Finland, Finnish and Swedish, and in some cases English, are used

4 Implementation and support of multilingualism at Aalto University The implementation of Language Guidelines is the responsibility of the President of Aalto University.

6 4 Implementation and support of multilingualism at Aalto University The implementation of Language Guidelines is the responsibility of the President of Aalto University. The measures required by Language Guidelines, as well as the resources allocated to them, are part of the day-to-day operations of Aalto University. Aalto University has Swedish- and English-language advocates whose primary duty is to promote studying in their respective languages and to support internal and external communications in those languages

7 More information

HEPCLIL (Higher Education Perspectives on Content and Language Integrated Learning). Vic, 2014.

HEPCLIL (Higher Education Perspectives on Content and Language Integrated Learning). Vic, 2014. Content and Language Integration as a part of a degree reform at Tampere University of Technology Nina Niemelä