1. Expert Team of Languages and Communication at Universities of Applied Sciences (UASs) http://extra.seamk.fi/arenektr (in Finnish) http://extra.seamk.fi/arenektr

2. Expert Team Mission Develops languages and communication teaching in UASs Promotes collegiate collaboration for mutual, national benefit Collects good practices amongst UASs Contributes to creation of national quality standards Spreads knowledge of current requirements and trends Issues statements to authorities

3. Membership Members are co-ordinating lecturers, principal lecturers and heads of language centres Expert team is elected by the convention of coordinating language teachers. Membership is biannual Expert team convenes 4 times/year

4. Activities Recommendations to UASs based on best practices ◦ Assessment criteria for maturity test ◦ In-house language training ◦ Criteria for integrating languages and other studies ◦ Assessment scales of Swedish and English skills levels ◦ Improving the quality of Bachelor’s and Master’s Theses in English ◦ Recognition practices of prior learning ◦ Developing teaching of Finnish as a second language

6. Contact information Taina Juurakko-Paavola (chair) taina.juurakko-paavola(at)hamk.fi Marjo Piironen (secretary) Marjo.piironen(at)karelia.fi Heli Simon (communications officer) heli.simon(at)seamk.fi