Kielibuusti 2021-2024
Kielibuusti was carried out in 2021–2024 as a collaboration between Aalto University, University of Helsinki, Haaga-Helia, Laurea, and Metropolia, with funding from the Ministry of Education and Culture.
What is Kielibuusti?
Kielibuusti develops solutions to support the Finnish and Swedish language skills of international talents. The project is carried out by Aalto University and the University of Helsinki in 2025-2028 as a continuation to the previous project period, during which the universities for applied sciences Haaga-Helia, Laurea and Metropolia also took part in the project.
Kielibuusti produces practical, research-based models and tools for language learners, teachers, higher education institutions, and work communities. The project's outputs are published on the kielibuusti.fi website, and the materials on the site are available for all, free of charge. Kielibuusti's work is guided by the following principles:
- Continuous learning supported by sustainable assessment
- Language learning is a social activity
- Learners as active agents, teachers as facilitators of learning
In other words, our central premise is that language is learned not only in language courses and as a result of individual efforts, but throughtout our everyday environments through interaction with other people. The support provided by a work or study community is crucial for the development of language skills. Language teaching guides learners to actively observe their linguistic environment, encourages them to use Finnish or Swedish, and provides tools for effective self and peer assessment that facilitates independent skill development.
Kielibuusti 2025–2028 is part of the universities' strategies, funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture, whose aims include developing multilingual education and integrating international talents into the workforce and society. The development work in higher education institutions focuses on four areas.
Proficiency in domestic languages enhances the employment opportunities of international higher education students in Finland. The development of Finnish or Swedish language skills requires support both during studies and when transitioning into working life. Kielibuusti pilots models of language studies included in degrees at project universities, supports the development of learning modules for Finnish as a second language, and develops multilingual practices for language-aware internships and recruitment that can support internationalising work communities.
Kielibuusti pilots tailored course packages and other forms of language learning support that meet the needs of higher education staff. These can promote the integration and career advancement of international staff and their ability to use domestic languages as languages of instruction and guidance. Development work is carried out in collaboration with international staff at the universities and with other higher education institutions in the Helsinki metropolitan area.
Effective multilingual practices are key to the development of language skills and well-being at work for international students and employees. Kielibuusti develops these practices in collaboration with various university bodies and makes them available for others to use on the kielibuusti.fi website. Development areas include university language policies, increasing language awareness, supporting language-aware leadership, tailoring language-aware practices suitable for different communities, and providing guidance on practice implementation.
The kielibuusti.fi website offers information, advice, and materials for nationwide use. The site provides a one-stop service for Finnish and Swedish learners and those working with them: our goal is to provide a comprehensive range of up-to-date and effective tools for the needs of our different target groups. The site also collects materials produced elsewhere; if you want to suggest suitable materials or inquire about sharing the results of your research, please contact us via email!
Kielibuusti organizes webinars and events for its network members. These are announced on the News and Events page.
In the previous project period, 2021-2024, Kielibuusti was carried out as a collaboration between five higher education institutions: Haaga-Helia, Laurea, and Metropolia Universities of Applied Sciences, University of Helsinki and Aalto University. More information about Kielibuusti in the years 2021-2024 can be found below.
