Suomi (S2) korkeakoulutettujen työssä – Millainen kielitaito riittää?

Authors

• Tuula Jäppinen HAAGA-HELIA ammattikorkeakoulu

Abstract

Language skills needed at work have traditionally been studied in the context of foreign languages spoken by Finns. This article discusses Finnish skills in work settings in cases in which an employee speaks Finnish as a second language. Examples are taken from business, social, and health care sectors, especially concerning occupations that require university-level education. Oral Finnish skills seem to be important even in organizations where English is the working language because Finnish is often used in social situations and as the language of informal information. The more an employee works with clients, patients, and Finnish stakeholders, the better and more varied skills in Finnish are needed.