Dear all,
I asked the same (two weeks ago), and got a different answer given by Heikki Kuoppala, who asked the question from Hannu Pietilä, the main lawyer of Oulu University! Best regards
Raili
-----Original Message----- From: bklist-bounces@lists.oulu.fi [mailto:bklist-bounces@lists.oulu.fi] On Behalf Of Lloyd Ruddock Sent: 14. toukokuuta 2008 15:57 To: bklist@lists.oulu.fi Cc: histoni@paju.oulu.fi Subject: RE: [Bklist] short feedback
I was told by faculty at the start of the new system that students no longer have the legal right to answer in Finnish. I understand that there is a legal case on this issue (was it in Helsinki?) at the moment. In all my exams I use the following:
"Answers should be given in English, but where necessary Finnish words can be inserted in brackets e.g. discuss the (totta vai tarua) of the following statement."
-----Original Message----- From: bklist-bounces@lists.oulu.fi [mailto:bklist-bounces@lists.oulu.fi] On Behalf Of Sakari Kellokumpu Sent: 14. toukokuuta 2008 15:33 To: bklist@lists.oulu.fi Subject: [Bklist] short feedback
Dear all,
Some comments also on my behalf on the issues discussed. I have tried to cut them as short as possible:
1) we have to get feedback from all courses, many of them are now missing
Previously, I do not recall we have had a lot of problems with getting the feedback. I do not know how many are exactly missing now but think that we should not worry too much about this at this point. It may just reflect the new teaching program and its implementation/organization with increased/heavier/more demanding courses. Moreover, we should also not make everything compulsory - remember that the students are here on a voluntary basis and will also leave/drop biochemistry on their own will.
2) Biokemian menetelmät I should be the first, and Biomolecules after that.
The problem here as I understood appears to be the work load combined with lectures and teaching in english during the 1st year. If neither the order nor the language of the courses can be changed (based on comments)then there is nothing left besides complaints. I think this is not we want. Perhaps the easiest way to resolve the issue would be to reverse the order of the two courses. The students may not really be as "ignorant" as we think and perhaps will understand the methods course without having a prior course on Biomolecules. Jari perhaps would be the best person to give comments on this. Nevertheless, we need to respond to the complaints in some way- otherwise the students stop giving feedback totally.
3) Finns should teach in Finnish, not in English and 4) English teching is OK, if it is supportive, not pressing too much
We all know that english is the working language of Science. The only problem in my mind is that it comes too early for our students (remember feedback day) and makes first things taught more difficult for them to understand. Furthermore, we should also keep the right to teach students in finnish, especially if only finns are around. Otherwise - as in one of my previous courses when a foreign student assigned for the course but never appeared - the whole teaching session kept in english was disturbing (not only because of my english) for all of us.
Finally, just to remind that there is currently a lot of finnish used in written exams, tests (kypsyysnäyte) and pro gradu theses as well as in various administrative reports. I have understood that finnish students have a legal right to use finnish in all of these. This means that finnish must remain as an alternative teaching language.
best
Sakari
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