Finnish social services students as facilitators of the linguistic adaptation of their international peers
DOI
https://doi.org/10.25267/Tavira.2025.i30.1204Info
Authors
- Miira Häkkinen (FI) Turku University of Applied Sciences
Abstract
This study examines the language support available to international students in Finnish higher education, focusing on informal language meetings organized by Bachelor of Social Services students at a University of Applied Sciences. These sessions aim to foster both social and linguistic integration. Using a focus group interview, the study examines the motivations of Social Services students in facilitating these activities, their self-perceptions as practice-oriented learners, and how these perceptions inform their pedagogical approaches. Grounded in the distinction between informative and transformative learning, the findings highlight key challenges: limited opportunities for oral Finnish practice, the ambivalent role of English —which facilitates daily communication but hinders Finnish acquisition— and the insufficiency of formal language education in promoting active use of Finnish. The study underscores the importance of accessible, peer-led language initiatives in promoting integration and well-being both on international campuses and beyond.
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