Finnish Language Proficiency Assessment Tool

In this project, we are developing a national Finnish language proficiency assessment tool for comprehensive education. The tool is designed for use in situations where it is being considered whether the most appropriate syllabus for a multilingual student in the subject Mother Tongue and Literature is Finnish as a Second Language and Literature (S2) or Finnish Language and Literature (S1).

Based on research, we are developing assessment tasks that evaluate students’ speaking, writing, listening comprehension, and reading comprehension skills. The tasks, which will be published on a digital platform, are based on the Scale for Developing Language Proficiency and cover proficiency levels A1-B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Although the project focuses on language proficiency assessment, we take a holistic approach to supporting students, taking into account the National Core Curriculum for Basic Education and the educational context in which schools operate. The development of the assessment tool is grounded in a functional view of language proficiency, according to which language is learned through interaction.

In addition to the assessment tasks, we will publish guidelines to support the use of the tool. The project will also generate new scientific knowledge about language assessment, syllabus placement decisions, and the educational pathways of multilingual students in Finnish comprehensive education. The assessment tool will be released by the end of 2027 together with a corresponding assessment tool for Swedish as a Second Language.

Teachers! To ensure that the assessment tool serves its purpose as effectively as possible, we need your help. Would you and your class like to participate in the development of the tool? Please contact Researcher Paula Korkala at paula.m.korkala(at)jyu.fi.

The project is funded by the Finnish National Agency for Education.