International Studies

Throughout the year West Finland College educates hundreds of students along various educational lines. The strategy of West Finland College is to emphasize the significance of education, culture, active citizenship and lifelong learning for personal fulfillment. These aims are supported by up-to-date educational content, development projects and the help of professionals in the area of adult education.

Studies suitable for international students are:

o Language courses
o Training courses
o English Drama
o TEFL

English

Target group

English language is the most widespread language in the world. It is spoken as a mother tongue in Europe, North America, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The status of English as an international business language is now unparalleled. The courses cater to those students planning to continue their previous studies, to those who wish to refresh their knowledge or simply to those who want to improve their basic language skills. At the outset of the course a level grading test is administered to provide an accurate assessment of the students` level, needs and language requirements. On the basis of this, students are placed into suitable learning groups.

Aims

The course aims at not only developing language skills but also at getting acquainted with British society and culture from within. An additional aim is to raise students comprehension and fluency to a level of understanding everyday speech, face to face conversations, British television and radio programs, although, it is still expected that students may experience some difficulties in these areas. A further aim is to develop students´ literacy skills, the ability to write on a variety of topics incorporating acquired vocabulary and grammar. Clear speech and pronunciation are equally encouraged.

Contents

The learning revolves around coordinated work, self-study and homework. The process of study involves suggestopedic methods such as learning through music, games and a language laboratory. The total amount of coordinated work is 25 hours per week. The amount of self-study and homework is at least 15 hours per week, so the total expected weekly study time is 40 hours. There is also a designated section in the library for English literature.

French

Target group

French is one of the European governmental languages as well a language which is used in many parts of the world. It is considered to be a language of culture and arts and as the world continues to globalize there is a growing need for those who speak the language. Economics and tourism amongst other things have been bringing French and Finnish life closer together. The studies will suit anyone interested in language and culture.

Aims

The primary aim of the course is to prepare students to understand natural and normal speed language that should help them to 'survive' in everyday situations. The students will also be able to participate actively in everyday topics and situations, speaking in a natural way with the correct pronunciation and intonation authentically. The course particularly introduces students to France and French culture. Language skills and knowledge of culture progress concurrently.

Contents

The lessons start from a foundational level. The learning revolves around coordinated work, self-study and homework. The process of study involves suggestopedic methods such as learning through music, games, making a video, use of language laboratory and computer programs. The total amount of coordinated work is 25 hours per week. The amount of self-study and homework is at least 15 hours per week, so the total expected weekly study time is 40 hours. There is also a designated section in the library for French literature.

Russian

Target group

Russian is a language of the future. As a result of the huge economic growth of North-Western Russia the significance of language skills has become more important than ever. The opportunities of St. Petersburg with its population of 5 million and the unbounded territory behind it are as close for Finland as if they were the corner. The studies will suit anyone interested in language and culture.

Aims

West Finland College's Russian course will equip students with the necessary language skills to communicate and 'survive' in a Russian language environment. The studies demand hard work and an open mind but the final results speak for themselves.

Contents

The lessons start from a foundational level. The learning revolves around coordinated work, self-study and homework. The process of study involves suggestopedic methods such as learning through music, games, making a video, use of the language laboratory and computer programs. The total expected weekly study time is 40 hours. There is also a designated section in the library for Russian literature.

Spanish

Target group

Spanish is the maternal language it stops in the entire world more than 400 million people. Every year 10 million people that will speak Spanish are born. Their origin is in Spain, but nowadays it is the spoken language in America and it is also present in Africa. You cannot travel to Central America or of the South without knowing Spanish. In America of the North it is the official language of Mexico and the second language (not official) of the United States place in the one that the Spanish-speakers conform most minority. The course of Spanish language and culture is directed to people desire to know or to perfect a Spanish language, to those that want to understand and to share the happiness of living off its people, because the happiness for the life is something that they share all those that speak Spanish.

Aims

The Spanish course of West Finland College is a course of language and Spanish culture adapted to all the levels. At the end of the course the students should be able to understand and to participate in the daily conversations of the Spanish, to follow the radio programmes and television or to enjoy a good Spanish movie. The students should also dominate the grammar and an enough Spanish vocabulary as to be able to write texts for their private or official use or to be able to present their ideas in a continuous way and in their entirety.

Contents

The didactic methodology allows to take part every pupil in the activities of the group. The course uses varied methods of teaching, combining the "sueña" method (habitually even 1 and 2) because it is considered as the best method for the learning of ELE (Spanish Foreign Language) with the abundant and interesting teacher explanations. The professor provides additional elements adapted to the necessities of each group. The work in the laboratory of languages is particularly important because it is sought the student to speak correctly from the first day. The linguistic immersion is gotten with the abundant available audiovisual means. Every day it is spoken about Spanish culture: the history and the art (painting, cinema, music ...), the wines and the Spanish kitchen (cuisine), the life in Spain and the popular customs, etc. There are 25 hours of class guided a week. To these, it is necessary to add 15 working hours personnel. The total is of 40 weekly hours of studies. There is also a designated section in the library for Spanish literature language.

West Finland College is located only within 90 km from the city of Turku, which is an ex-capital of Finland and one of the most important sea ports of the country. From Turku you can easily get to the capital of Sweden - Stockholm by luxurious ferry Viking Line The "Day in Stockholm" program is a brilliant and very reasonable option to spend your weekend.

You depart from Huittinen by bus in the afternoon. The bus will take you straight to the Terminal in Turku and you will board the ferry of Viking Line. The ferry is a "sailing city" (duty-free zone!) and you can enjoy all the entertainment facilities for the whole night.

On Saturday morning you will arrive in Stockholm - one of the most beautiful capitals in the world, which is built on 14 islands connected by 57 bridges The Old Town, Royal Palace, daily changing of the Royal Guard, Vasa Museum - you definitely have to see that! You can either plan your stay in Stockholm by yourself, or we would be glad to help you.

In the evening you get back to the ferry and continue to Turku where you arrive Sunday morning.

Trip to Tallinn / Estonia

Tallinn is the capital of Estonia. A sea cost capital, a rare jewel in the north of Europe in the Gulf of Finland, that's Tallinn. With one of the most completely preserved medieval cities in Europe it is a precious city on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Once a medieval Hanseatic town and for long periods in history dominated by the Germans, Swedes and Russians, Tallinn today contain lots of influence from those days but still manages to retain an Estonian soul and identity. This is not a huge capital, just about 400 000 inhabitants, but it has it all: A very rich cultural and pleasant atmosphere and many interesting sights yet to be explored.

Trip to Riga / Latvia

The location of Huittinen also offers a good opportunity to visit one more capital - Riga. Eight hundred years have shaped the city's unique appearance and rich traditions which is 800 years old. Riga has unique values due to its rather intact medieval architecture and that of later periods, the urban structure, the richness and quality of Art Noveau architecture and the 19th century wooden architecture of the city. Inscribing the historic centre of Riga on the World Heritage List of UNESCO recognized it. Riga belongs to the cultural space of Western Europe. For the city, dynamic and diverse music and arts activities are typical. Over centuries, the creative atmosphere evolved in Riga and inspired composers, poets and artists.

You can get to Riga from Tampere-Pirkkala airport (only 70 km from Huittinen). The flights are operated by budget companies Ryanair and Air Baltic.

Link to Rigan Tourist Office