Early Language Education for Intercultural Communication

The two-year International Master's Degree Programme in Early Language Education for Intercultural Communication (120 ECTS)  prepares students to teach foreign languages to children and emphasizes early age intercultural communication competence.

The general strength of the Programme is generated by its didactics and methodology relying upon a balanced combination of theory and practice to be used in afuture work as a teacher or educator. The programme facilitates gaining a multicultural view on educational issues and sharing personal/collective experience in intercultural settings. The programme prepares its students to effectively tackle challenges and possibilities arising from globalisation, as well as cultural and linguistic diversity.

Degree structure

The Programme consists of altogether 120 ECTS divided into: Orientation Studies (5 ECTS), Major Studies (95 ECTS) and Other Studies (20 ECTS).

Orientation studies (5 ECTS)

Orientation studies provide students with the useful tools indispensable for successful completion of the courses included in the Curriculum. They familiarize students with the University of Eastern Finland, present the core of the Finnish educational system in general, as well as introduce the main learning objectives, content and evaluation criteria of the ELEIC Programme.

Major studies (95 ECTS)

Major Studies aim at deepening students' academic skills related to research methodology in educational sciences. They also prepare students to plan and execute their research activities related to the topic of their Master's thesis. As one of the main aspects of the ELEIC Programme is communication in various international settings, major studies include as well obligatory courses fostering students' ability to act as an English speaking professional teacher or educator.  Content studies, constituting an integral part of the major studies are dedicated to the pedagogical viewpoints of language teaching and learning processes. The emphasis is laid on theoretical and practical aspects of working with/for children. The content studies are oriented towards theory and practice of teaching foreign languages to young learners, current pedagogical and educational issues, innovative pedagogical solutions, as well as teaching and professional practice.

Other studies (20 ECTS)

Other Studies may include any university-level courses that serve to deepen students' expertise related to the topic of their master's thesis or personal interests.

Admission requirements

• A recognized BA degree (or MA degree) in the area of education or foreign languages
• Officially recognized teacher qualification (in any country) proven either by an official certificate or/and a solid work experience as a teacher in primary school
• Good English language skills. Minimum requirements for the language skills verified through the official language tests are as follows:
  • IELTS (Academic): 6.5/5.5 in writing
  • TOEFL PBT: 580/4 in writing
  • TOEFL iBT: 90/22 in writing
  • PTE (Academic): 59

Applicants who have completed their secondary education or BA degree in English in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States, do not have to take a language test. Similarily, students who have successfully completed studies in the University of Eastern Finland (formerly University of Joensuu) as exchange students, are exempt from the language test.

Also, applicants who have successfully completed an International Baccalaureate with English as A1 language do not have to submit the abovementioned language test results

Along with the introduction of the tuition fees, University of Eastern Finland will provide an attractive scholarship scheme for 50% of the students admitted to the Programme. The scholarship will consist of 80-100% exemption from the tuition fees. A scholarship will be awarded for two academic years, however obtaining the scholarship for the second year will be conditioned by the progress of student's studies and his/her general academic performance during the first study year.

Application period for the scholarship is the same as for the admission: 1.12.2016-13.1.2017.

The Philosophical Faculty may, in some cases, award an additional scholarship helping to cover student's living expenses in Finland, which may apply to both student groups: from EU, as well as non EU/EEA countries. The student shall apply for the financial aid from the faculty during the application period by submitting a separate letter as an application enclosure.

Notifications concerning scholarships and other additional financial support will be sent to the admitted students together with the official acceptance letter.