SAAL 1ÅAR Introductory South Sami Language in Practical Situations – Part I

The education is intended for those who do not speak or write South Sami language. According to the regulations for admission to higher education, introduction courses and semester courses in Sami language are exempted from the requirement for Higher Education Entrance Qualification. The exception applies to applicants who have a Sami connection due to Sámi Univeristy of Applied Sciences regulations. The exception applies to applicants who have a Sami connection according to the following alternatives: 
• Sami who have lost their language and want to learn Sami language, or 
• Employees at public institutions in Sami areas who want to learn Sami language, or 
• Others (eg, applicants who live in a Sami family or in a Sami area and wants to learn Sami) 

The course has 15 study seats. Prioritization of study seats is done as follows: 
1. Sami who have lost their language and want to learn Sami language 
2. Employees at public institutions in Sami areas who want to learn Sami language 
3. Others (eg, applicants who live in a Sami family or in a Sami area and wants to learn Sami) 

Applicants will write motivation letters explaining which of the alternatives are the basis for the application.

The enviroment of communication is organized for practical situations. The students are expected to communicate in Sami language among themselves and to the teachers whenever working. Central learning themes are connected to Sami traditions, life sustaining issues and other areas. The introductory headlines for the themes are: 

The local enviroment 
- the community and buildings 
- clothing 
- socializing and service situations 

Life Sustaining issues 
- time concepts (hours, days and nights, months, seasons) 
- weather, travelling and navigation 
- nature terms and place names 
- sámi traditional life sustaining models 

Basic societal encounters 
- art, traditional handicraft, literature, religion and music 
- yoik and poetry - Sami linguistic working and cultural arenas 
- media and other means of communication 

The very basics of syntax, morphology and phonology will be handled. The part of speech inflect patterns umlaut and vowel changes will be taught along with practical work in various situations. Phonetics will naturally be connected to oral language practice.

- It is mandatory for the student to attend at least 80 % of the teachings in each organized study period. The first two days of the course are mandatory. 
- Short oral group presentations (minimum 5 times) on various themes to the class. 
- Reflectional log where ones linguistic progress is assessed (minimum 3 half page logs) 
- Participation in a project work (maximum 3 students per group) with an oral presentation (app. 10 min.). The use of Sami language during the work process will be emphasized. The project should be based on educational content and competence relevance. 
- A text (1 page) that displays ones lingual competence. The theme of the project work will facilitate this text production. Before the exam the student will choose parts from the work portfolio to the exhibiting portfolio. 
- 1 dialogue or conversation based on the group work 
- 1 reflectional log 
- 1 work on a theme 
- 1 text on the basis of the project work 

The assignments should be submitted within an agreed deadline and be approved by the subject teacher.

There will be an approximately 15 min. individual oral exam based on the exhibiting portfolio. The assessment emphasizes the use of oral language, and the grade is either passed or failed.