Implementation Plan of Language Guidelines
2019 - 2023 DRAFT5 10.1.2019
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Introduction
The Aalto University Language Guidelines are designed to support our university on its journey
towards world class status by promoting a multicultural and multilingual environment where everyone
is a full member of the community. In addition, the guidelines focus on the continuous
development of our two national languages as languages of science, and emphasize the value of
language quality as an increasingly important indicator of high academic quality.
The Language Guidelines and their implementation plan have been prepared for the next five years.
Internationalisation and multiculturalism are built on the basis of Finnish bilingualismish. As our
university becomes increasingly international, English will increasingly become the common language
used by many of the Aalto community. Thus, it is natural and, in terms of resources, reasonable to
invest also in English as our common working language. We wish to promote the natural parallel use
of languages, not artificial trilingualism.
Communication and interaction are key challenges of internationalisation. According to the university
strategy, Aalto University is a place where the best connect and succeed. Success requires both
participation and enabling participation and, above all, the opportunity to understand and share.
The development of a multilingual environment requires much consistent work and resources.
The Language Guidelines, together with the implementation plan, set the direction for Aalto University,
but leave room for the schools and degree programmes to make their own language decisions. The
guidelines and their implementation plan contribute to a shift in thinking in which multilingualism and
multiculturalism are seen to an even greater extent as enriching our community and opening up
opportunities.
The left column of the implementation plan table shows the guideline and the right-hand actions to
be taken.
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1. Research
High-quality language is part of high-quality research. A starting point for the language guidelines
is to support the language of research by training and support services. Another focus area is
Aalto University’s role in supporting the development of the national languages of Finland as
languages of research.
Guideline Actions
1.1 Research publications are
characterised by fluent language.
Organising writing clinics and courses for the
researchers.
1.2. Aalto University plays an
active role in developing Finnish
and Swedish academic
terminology.
Aalto University participates with other universities in
developing terminology.
A shared terminology for important concepts will be
adopted at Aalto University.
The production of teaching material as well as the
writing of academic texts for general audience will be
recognised as a merit in the tenure track system.
2. Learning and teaching
The Language Guidelines clarify the languages of the study paths of degree programmes, and
implementing the plan calls for careful planning and consistency. The share of degree programmes
taught in English is increasing, and the degree programmes offered by the university need to be seen
as a whole, rather than as consisting of stand-alone programmes. We need to make clear and long
term decisions regarding teaching in Swedish to ensure Aalto University’s status as a university that
provides teaching in Swedish. As our student body is becoming increasingly international, studying
Finnish, Swedish and English has to be made as easy as possible.
Guideline Actions
2.1.
Aalto University offers undergraduate
education mainly in Finnish, but to some
extent also in Swedish. In Finnish- and
partly Swedish-language Bachelor
programme, some courses are also
offered in English.
The same system for the classifications of
language of instruction will be implemented in
all schools: the language of instruction will be
specified in the curriculum and it must be
followed.
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Bachelor programme offered only on
English can be found in each of
university’s academic areas (technology,
economics, art).
Most master’s programmes are offered in
English.
The key courses in the degree programme that
are taught both in Finnish and in Swedish will
be clearly defined and communicated in Into.
Aalto University has advocates whose primary
duty is to support Swedish-and Englishspeaking
students and to ensure fluent
communications in those languages. The
advocates will be appointed and their names
communicated.
2.2.
Swedish-speaking students will have the
opportunity to take their exams in Swedish
when the language of instruction is Finnish
in the fields of Science and Technology or
Art and Design.
Swedish-speaking students will have the
opportunity to discuss their studies in
Swedish in the fields of Science and
Technology or Art and Design
The Aalto University General Regulations on
Teaching and Studying shall be followed.
2.3.
Degree programmes at the undergraduate
and graduate levels must define the
intended learning outcomes for the
language, communication and intercultural
skills relevant for the field of study.
The learning outcomes of all degree
programmes shall include these skills and
their attainment is evaluated.
2.4.
Good communication, language and
people skills are part of the pedagogical
requirements for teaching staff. Teachers
are provided with pedagogical support and
training to enhance their skills in teaching
in English in a multicultural academic
environment.
Those teaching in a language other than
their mother tongue are required to
demonstrate proficiency in the language of
instruction.
In recruitments, pedagogical skills will be
emphasised in addition to merits in research,
as well as language and communication skills.
In teaching demonstrations, candidates should
pay attention to the usage of clear and
understandable teaching language.
Teaching in a language other than the
teacher's mother tongue shall be evaluated
and developed based on the
(student)feedback.
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3. Services
The need for all Aalto employees to possess good language skill increases as the University
becomes more international. Through the use of foreign languages at work, the whole Aalto
community is tied more strongly to the multiculturalism of the university. The use of a shared
terminology and the consistent availability of documents in the different languages enhances the
equality of languages at Aalto.
Guideline Actions
3.1.
International and national students and staff
members are given the opportunity to study
Finnish, Swedish and English.
All students and staff at Aalto University will
have equal opportunities to study Finnish,
Swedish and English.
International students and staff are actively
encouraged to study the national languages of
Finland also.
3.2.
Aalto University offers high-quality editing,
translation and proofreading services in
Finnish, Swedish and English.
Production of language services will be
included in the job description of lecturers
in foreign languages and considered in
Language Centre recruitment.
Outsourcing of services will also be used.
3.3.
Aalto documents are written in the standard
form of the language and Aalto University has
a unified terminology for key terms.
To commit to use the Uniterms tool and to add
the most commonly used abbreviations to it.
https://www.aalto.fi/services/dictionaries-and-
glossaries
To increase communication and training on
language practices.
3.4.
Key documents concerning education are
available in Finnish, Swedish and English.
Several internal documents concerning
academic administration and services (like
forms and instructions) are available in
Finnish and English.
Decisions of the president, vice-presidents and
deans as well as decisions and memos of
academic committees are always available in
Finnish and English.
A common document template for decisions
will be produced, containing the content both in
Finnish and English.
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3.5.
All Aalto members can participate in the
activities of various working groups and
committees of the university.
The various actors of the Aalto University use
Finnish and English in parallel. If the primary
language of a meeting is Finnish, the material
will be in English when international staff is
present.
4. Communication
The implementation plan for the language guidelines of communication takes a stand on how Aalto
University's language guidelines are implemented in the communications channels maintained and
coordinated by the Aalto communications unit. These channels include digital channels (aalto.fi,
into.aalto.fi), social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, InstagramLinkedin and YouTube), press
releases, brochures, Vision blog and a publication for Aalto University stakeholders, Aalto University
Magazine.
Guideline Actions
4.1.
Communications are conducted with consistency
and awareness of the situation, communications
channel and language to serve the intended
audience.
The user experience of communication
channels are evaluated regularly.
4.2.
The Aalto University website aalto.fi and student
website into.aalto.fi are published and maintained
in Finnish, English and when necessary in
Swedish
The renovated website aalto.fi and the
student website into will be comprehensive
and easy to use.
Execution and follow-up:
The provost of Aalto University is responsible for implementation of the language guidelines.
Aalto University's Equality committee, which has representation from the schools, student union and
services, will monitor the implementation of the language guidelines in connection with the annual
review process. Every three years the results of the language guidelines will be evaluated in the Aalto
University review.