Project > Needs Analysis > Results > Finland > D. Questions about everyday situations

Results of the Needs Analysis Carried Out in Finland

A. Background Questions | B. Proficiency in Finnish | C. Studying | D. Questions about everyday situations | E. Social life and leisure | F. Important vocabulary

Bank

1. If you have used a Visa or an Access card, have you had any problems with language using automats? (multiple answers, only 21 questionnaires)

2. When you have been to the bank, have you had any problems with language at the counter? (multiple answers, only 21 questionnaires)

3. Would you have liked help in some form when dealing with a bank? If so, what kind of help and in which situation/s? (only 21 questionnaires)

*quotations:

  • “Somebody should write down the Finnish expressions and translate them” (F22/Poland)
  • “Paying bills” (F22/Poland)
  • “Übersetzung der finnischen Anweisungen auf dem Bildschirm des Bankautomaten.”
    Translation of the Finnish instructions at the screen of the automats. (F25/Germany)
  • “In the bank I can get help but on the street it’s difficult to ask someone for help.” (F21/Russia)
  • “How to use the automat.” (F23/Germany)

Travelling

4. Were you informed about public transportation? (only 21 questionnaires)

5. How do you usually get around in Jyväskylä? (only 21 questionnaires)

6. Have you had any difficulties getting around in Jyväskylä? Please specify. (only 18 questionnaires)


*”yes” quotations:

Orientation

  • „Nur Orientierungsprobleme am Anfang.“
    Orientation problems only at the beginning. (F25/Germany)
  • “To find the place.” (F23/Germany)
  • “Ensimmäisenä päivänä kaikki näytti valkoiselta ja samalta, ja kävelytie ei mene suoraan, se on enemmän kiertotie yleensä.” (Keljonkangas).
    At the first day everything looked white and the same, and the foot path is not strait, it is usually more like a detour (Keljonkangas). (F21/Hungary)

Weather

  • “When it is raining.” (M31/Hungary)
  • "Vain jäisellä tiellä“
    Only on icy roads. (M23/Germany)
  • “Alte Steinstrasse ist etwas mühsam. Es ist recht eisig im Winter.* *Diese Antworten sind nicht allzu ernst!”
    The old stone street is a bit arduous. It is quite icy in the winter time.* *These answers are not too serious. (M29/Switzerland)
  • ”Maa on yleensä jäässä!”
    The earth is usually icy! (M27/Iran)

**”no” quotation:

  • “No, on the contrary. I think the bike/foot paths are very well maintained.” (M28/Canada)

General

7. In which situations have you had communicative problems? (multiple answers, only 21 questionnaires)


*other situations:

  • In a bus. (F22/Poland)
  • "Tyttöystävän vanhempien luona."
    At my girlfriend’s parents. (M26/Germany)

8. What type of help would you have liked to have? (only 21 questionnaires)

  • „Informationen von Reisebüros über Lappland.“
    At the travel agency: Information about Lapland. (F25/Germany)
  • “In shops: Missä mitäkin on, paljonko se maksaa.” (M31/Hungary)
  • “In shops: Introduction to food.” (F34/Bangladesh)
  • "Klare Info über Öffnungszeiten und Tarife (dieses Problem hing weniger mit der Sprache als mit dem Nichtvermögen/Nichtwollen des Personals zusammen)."
    At the swimming pool: Clear information on opening hours and prices (this problem was caused more by the lack of capacity/willingness of the staff than with language problems). (M29/Switzerland)
  • " Ne puhuvat liian nopeasti."
    In the book shop: They speak to fast. (F21/Hungary)
  • "Enemmän sanasto…"
    At the hair dresser: Bigger vocabulary … (F21/Austria)

71 % of the students did not answer this question.

9. Do you read local newspapers? (only 21 questionnaires)

10. If yes, which ones? (multiple answers, only 21 questionnaires)

11. Which articles do you find especially important? (multiple answers, only 21 questionnaires)


*other: properties adverts (F25/Germany) Wohnungsanzeigen

12. Have you ever found yourself in a situation in Finland that was funny or embarrassing because you broke a Finnish cultural convention? (54 questionnaires)

13. If so please describe the situation? (multiple answers)


*other

  • "I can’t understand understand why I should pay form my cloth in clubs separately, why this sum is not included to the cost of the ticket. "( F19/Russia)
  • "People here are very punctual. I always arrive 10 minutes later. After 3 months the same... Good!" (F21/Spain)
  • "I didn’t know how to use special bag on wheels in supermarket which was knocked by a lock and chain (I just needed to put in for 5 mark)." (F21/Ukraine)
  • "At my first day being here I just forget to change time to Finnish [--] so I just come to the meeting one hour earlier." (F19/Russia)
  • "[--] Finnish habits really schocked me, such as the sauna, the early times for having lunch and shyness of Finns. Closing the door in their place is considered to be rather normal here, wheares in my country is either offensive and not respectful at all. Furthermore, Finns only talk to you when they are drunk, and when sober again they do not say even „hello“ to you." (F20/Spain)