Step2Job – akateemisten S2-oppijoiden kielitaitoa kehittämässä

As part of the Step2Job project (2016–2019), the Language Centre of the University of Lapland developed and piloted a language teaching model implemented in an e-learning environment and particularly designed for immigrants with a higher education background. The objective of the project was to find ways to further develop and enhance the language skills immigrants with a higher education background need in employment and active participation in Finnish society. In this paper, we present the results of an interview case study whose objective was to develop an initial understanding of what the learner profile of the Finnish as a Second Language (S2) learner might look like and, on that basis, discuss how the language teaching model could be further developed in order to better meet the needs of S2 learners with a higher education background. Although the study indicated that the language content related to S2 learner’s own area of expertise and modes of working are perceived as important, the emphasis of language teaching should be on supporting students’ professional identities through involving them in an academic expert community. This article discusses the potential role of Language Centres as units of higher education institutions in organizing Finnish language teaching for immigrants with a higher education background.