Sorry I haven't been writing much...first it was the flu...then the ski holiday - where I didn't actually ski...and then my kids went back to day-care only to end last week with a nasty case of Noro Virus which hit all of us in some way or other...and since STARTING this post over a week ago - my oldest kid got hit with ear infections in both ears...
Anyways, pretend with me that you're reading this the beginning of March!
I had been prepping for the Palapeli Finnish language assessment week.
A friend of mine had already completed this 5-days long assessment so I sort of knew what to expect.
There would be some basic math, writing components, learning a bit and some tests at the end to see what you know. Both a spoken test and a written one.
In Finnish.
Hmm - well then.
I arrived there last Monday (4th of March) and the group of people were divided based on language spoken, as there were translators available from English to Chinese, Spanish to Persian, Russian to Swedish...
We were treated with a slide show explaining why Palapeli exists and what will be done in the assessments.
Here's the quick version of it (my words):
Day 2
A test of memory. We learned some bits of Finnish and had to do a memory test. As well, we learned how to say "My name is ____". Along with some other super simple phrases.
Day 3
We learned more Finnish..."I'm married/I'm not married", "I have __ child(ren)", "I have __ sisters, __brothers, mother/father..."
Day 4
We had a speech test. We were taken individually into a room with 2 teachers - one using the computer and typing your answers I guess, while the other asked you the questions.
Everything they ask is stuff you covered....but if you've lived in Finland for awhile or have studied prior to that assessment, they'll throw you some curve balls.
I was asked, "Kuinka vanha olet?" I stumbled big time. I apologized in Finnish (Anteeksi?) and she repeated it again. My little brain fairies went through every filing cabinet in my head regarding the Finnish language and I recognized that "kuinka" meant how many or how - something!
But what?!
Finally I gave up (this was all in a span of 20 seconds) and she said in English,
"How old are you?"
Insert the brain fairy pulling out the image of Homer Simpson screaming, "D'OH!"
I quickly responded my age in Finnish and then they asked me (in English):
"What else do you know in Finnish?"
Well, that's not really a good question considering I've been here almost four years. So I quickly said I knew mostly food, baby-related things and some conversation and craft terms.
That was that.
Day 5
The written test day....
We were allowed to correct our exercise book that we had been using for the past week, with one of their correct-answers-already-filled-in copies - so I had assumed the test would be a blank copy of our exercise booklet.
No - not true.
The first half I understood easily and flew through it...the second half was more challenging and that was a good thing for me. I was able to push myself and see what I could answer. I admit to using the process of elimination multiple times until I got the proper answer (so I hoped).
Once that was done, I had to wait about a week to go back (or call) to get my results.
I opted to go in person to get my results because the un-employment office had no idea I finished the assessment and they wanted a copy of my results and proof that I did it all.
It took a few minutes to explain to the person working in the office that SHE had the results and I was there to get them and that SHE needed to send a copy of my tests to the un-employment office...but after 5 minutes of blank stares and me pointing and making weird gestures and speaking repeatedly slowly...she got it.
And I found out that yours truly will be learning Suomea (Finnish) as of April 2nd for a 2.5-months long course!! I'm excited and will be in the "Beginners Fast Paced" program.
I'll keep you updated as I struggle with all the joys of learning Finnish!
Anyways, pretend with me that you're reading this the beginning of March!
I had been prepping for the Palapeli Finnish language assessment week.
A friend of mine had already completed this 5-days long assessment so I sort of knew what to expect.
There would be some basic math, writing components, learning a bit and some tests at the end to see what you know. Both a spoken test and a written one.
In Finnish.
Hmm - well then.
I arrived there last Monday (4th of March) and the group of people were divided based on language spoken, as there were translators available from English to Chinese, Spanish to Persian, Russian to Swedish...
We were treated with a slide show explaining why Palapeli exists and what will be done in the assessments.
Here's the quick version of it (my words):
- You're separated into the 2 or 5-days assessment.
- 2-Days assessment (I didn't do this one) is for people who:
- Speak multiple languages (not necessarily Finnish)
- Have graduated college or university.
- Have studied Finnish in the past.
- 5-Days assessment (I did this one) is for people who:
- Recently moved to Finland.
- Do not know any or very little Finnish.
- Have not studied or completed post-secondary education.
- Have not studied Finnish before.
- I'm sure there are other criteria to distinguish the two but really - you're all on equal grounds by the end of it!
- Everyone is an equal in the long run. (This was emphasized a hundred different ways in a span of 40 minutes...)
- Once you've completed your testing then you return for your results or you can call and get them over the phone.
- This assessment determines not only your Finnish language skills (if any and I assure you - many people DON'T have any!) but your basic math skills, memory and writing/reading skills.
- If you are not very good at any of the above - do not worry or stress about it! The big thing is that they can find you the help you need so when you are ready to look for a job in Finland, you will be employable.
- This is NOT a test of your IQ - but to see what is the best Finnish language course for you to be placed in and if you require any other help in the other areas they cover.
- Bring a pencil and an eraser and your exercise booklet when you go there.
- Don't be late because if you are - you may not be able to get into your classroom and you'll have to start over at the next assessment - which is every 2-3 months. (Not sure how true this is because one fellow was late and he still got in on the 4th day...and this presentation was due to start at 9am and did not start until almost 9:30....so...take it for what it's worth? Besides, it's polite to be on time/a bit early!)
Day 1
I was placed in group 1 of the 5-days assessment group (which there were 2) and there were no translators - we all spoke and understood English to some degree.
However, the teachers did not speak English when teaching us - it was all in 100% Finnish, which is a good thing!
However, the teachers did not speak English when teaching us - it was all in 100% Finnish, which is a good thing!
We had our math test that morning and were given a piece of paper with 50 mixed math equations that had to be solved. Multiplication, division, addition and subtraction...and you had 4 minutes to complete as many as possible. When the timer went off, the teachers/assistants marked on your sheet where you finished and then we were given an extra 10 minutes to finish the test.
Yes, one girl in the group finished all 50 in 4 minutes...I made it to question 42 by the time the first timer went off - thanks for asking! :)
Yes, one girl in the group finished all 50 in 4 minutes...I made it to question 42 by the time the first timer went off - thanks for asking! :)
Day 2
A test of memory. We learned some bits of Finnish and had to do a memory test. As well, we learned how to say "My name is ____". Along with some other super simple phrases.
Day 3
We learned more Finnish..."I'm married/I'm not married", "I have __ child(ren)", "I have __ sisters, __brothers, mother/father..."
Day 4
We had a speech test. We were taken individually into a room with 2 teachers - one using the computer and typing your answers I guess, while the other asked you the questions.
Everything they ask is stuff you covered....but if you've lived in Finland for awhile or have studied prior to that assessment, they'll throw you some curve balls.
I was asked, "Kuinka vanha olet?" I stumbled big time. I apologized in Finnish (Anteeksi?) and she repeated it again. My little brain fairies went through every filing cabinet in my head regarding the Finnish language and I recognized that "kuinka" meant how many or how - something!
But what?!
Finally I gave up (this was all in a span of 20 seconds) and she said in English,
"How old are you?"
Insert the brain fairy pulling out the image of Homer Simpson screaming, "D'OH!"
I quickly responded my age in Finnish and then they asked me (in English):
"What else do you know in Finnish?"
Well, that's not really a good question considering I've been here almost four years. So I quickly said I knew mostly food, baby-related things and some conversation and craft terms.
That was that.
Day 5
The written test day....
We were allowed to correct our exercise book that we had been using for the past week, with one of their correct-answers-already-filled-in copies - so I had assumed the test would be a blank copy of our exercise booklet.
No - not true.
The first half I understood easily and flew through it...the second half was more challenging and that was a good thing for me. I was able to push myself and see what I could answer. I admit to using the process of elimination multiple times until I got the proper answer (so I hoped).
Once that was done, I had to wait about a week to go back (or call) to get my results.
I opted to go in person to get my results because the un-employment office had no idea I finished the assessment and they wanted a copy of my results and proof that I did it all.
It took a few minutes to explain to the person working in the office that SHE had the results and I was there to get them and that SHE needed to send a copy of my tests to the un-employment office...but after 5 minutes of blank stares and me pointing and making weird gestures and speaking repeatedly slowly...she got it.
And I found out that yours truly will be learning Suomea (Finnish) as of April 2nd for a 2.5-months long course!! I'm excited and will be in the "Beginners Fast Paced" program.
I'll keep you updated as I struggle with all the joys of learning Finnish!
