Helsinki, Finland
Deadline: 15th Mar 2022
The University of Helsinki is one of the leading multidisciplinary universities in the world. Our research and education are world-class, as shown by several indicators. We work daily to improve teaching and promote lifelong learning, and believe passionately in the power of thought to change attitudes, people and society – for a better world. The University of Helsinki Language Centre https://www2.helsinki.fi/en/language-centre is one of Finland’s largest language training institutes in terms of both staff numbers and the curriculum. The Language Centre is responsible for the language and communication studies required for academic degrees at all University of Helsinki faculties, and offers comprehensive language services to the academic community.
The University of Helsinki Language Centre invites applications for
TWO UNIVERSITY INSTRUCTOR OF CHINESE POSITIONS
for a permanent appointment starting on 1 August 2022.
JOB OVERVIEW
The duties of the university instructors include teaching Mandarin Chinese to undergraduate and postgraduate students of the University of Helsinki as well as to students of partner institutions, if any. The appointees’ teaching will range from the elementary level to the B1–B2 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The appointees’ duties also include the content-related and pedagogical planning, provision and development of teaching, the production of teaching material (incl. digital material) and the development of assessment. In addition, the appointees will attend to administrative duties related to teaching. The appointees are also expected to participate in the Language Centre’s other development activities. Solid experience in teaching basic Chinese to adult learners as well as good online teaching skills will be considered an asset. The appointees’ duties will initially focus on planning and coordinating the Language Centre’s Chinese teaching provision and course continuum.
REQUIREMENTS
The provisions governing the University’s operations stipulate that applicants must have a master’s degree applicable for the position (e.g. Chinese language, Chinese language pedagogy, or other Chinese language education-related fields ) as well as sufficient oral and written skills in Finnish and Swedish are required. Citizens of countries other than Finland may be exempted from these language requirements. If a successful applicant is not proficient in Finnish or Swedish, they are expected to acquire sufficient proficiency in Finnish or Swedish so as to be able to integrate as fully as possible into the workplace and Finnish society. Support for studying the language will be offered. If an appointee is not proficient in Finnish or Swedish, they must have the English skills required to teach and interact in the work community in English (fluent oral and written skills).
Proficiency in standard Mandarin Chinese (oral and written communication) and the ability to teach simplified Chinese are mandatory.
We value pedagogical training and skills. We hope that applicants have experience in teaching that corresponds to the job description, experience in education planning, and the ability to produce learning materials and use educational technology in teaching. Extensive experience in teaching and the ability to apply diverse teaching methods, including online teaching, will be considered an asset. The appointees must also have good interaction and cooperation skills and be willing to enhance their expertise. Proficiency in Finnish will be considered an advantage.
The salary will be based on level 5 of the job requirement scheme for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities as well as on personal performance.
There will be a six-month trial period at the beginning of employment.
Applicants are requested to attach the following documents to their applications:
1) A curriculum vitae
2) A report (max. 3 pages) on the applicant’s teaching expertise, for example, an academic portfolio demonstrating the applicant’s education and degrees, language skills, pedagogical training, teaching, guidance and supervision experience, the ability to develop and use learning material, and any other qualifications
3) A list of publications, if any
4) A report (1–3 pages) on the applicant’s teaching activities and teaching philosophy
Read more about education at the University of Helsinki: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/admissions-and-education/education.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview and to demonstrate their teaching skills in Finnish, Swedish or English. The interviews and teaching demonstrations will be conducted via remote video conferencing software.
The application, together with the required attachments, must be submitted through the University of Helsinki electronic recruitment system by clicking on the link below. Internal applicants (i.e., current employees of the University of Helsinki) must submit their applications through the SAP HR portal: https://msap.helsinki.fi. The closing date for applications is 15 March 2022.
Further information can be obtained from Sinikka Karjalainen, head of development, sinikka.karjalainen(at)helsinki.fi, and Päivi Karimäki-Suvanto, acting director of the Language Centre, paivi.karimaki-suvanto(at)helsinki.fi.
Instructions for using the University’s recruitment system:
https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers/open-positions/user-instruct…
Technical support for using the recruitment system: rekrytointi(at)helsinki.fi