Veijo Vaakanainen
 PhD


rvkvaa@utu.fi

Arcanuminkuja 1

Turku


ORCID identifierhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6732-8439

ResearchGate




Areas of expertise
Second language acquisition; Third language acquisition; Swedish as a Second Language; Cross-linguistic influence; Systemic-Functional Linguistics; Textlinguistics; Second language writing

Biography

2016 - 2025 PhD Student, Scandinavian Languages, University of Turku (funding 2018 Svenska kulturfonden; 2019 Svenska litteratursällskapet i Finland; 2021-2022 Svenska kulturfonden & Svenska litteratursällskapet i Finland)

2023 - University teacher of Swedish, Center for Language and Communications Studies, University of Turku

2021-2023 Part-time teacher, Scandinavian Languages, University of Turku & Center for Language and Communication Studies, University of Turku

2020-2021 Part-time teacher, Scandinavian Languages, University of Turku & Swedish Language, Åbo Akademi University

2018-2019 Swedish teacher (upper secondary school, comprehensive school), Lahden yhteiskoulu

2017 Researcher, Scandinavian Languages, University of Turku (Formulaic sequences in three morphologically different learner languages)

2016-2017 Part-time teacher, Department of German, University of Turku




Research

In my doctoral research, I examined the use of connectors by Finnish-speaking learners of Swedish through the lens of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL). I investigated how learners at different proficiency levels construct meaning and dependency relations within texts in their writing.

A central focus of my study was the dynamics of the writing process, which I explored using keystroke logging. In addition, I compared the use of connectors in Swedish and German among language learners.

More broadly, I am interested in foreign language writing, multilingualism, learner language, and the potential of digital tools, particularly artificial intelligence, in research on language learning and teaching.



Teaching

I have been working as a University Teacher of Swedish at the Centre for Language and Communication Studies at the University of Turku since 2023. My teaching has focused on oral and written workplace communication, particularly for students in the Faculty of Medicine and the Turku School of Economics. In addition to compulsory courses in the second national language, I have also taught preparatory and advanced elective courses in Swedish.

Previously I worked as a part-time lecturer in the departments of Scandinavian languages and German at the University of Turku, and in the department of Swedish at Åbo Akademi University. The courses I have taught have covered Swedish and German grammar as well as second language acquisition.

Beyond the university context, I also have teaching experience from basic education (primary and lower secondary), upper secondary education, and adult education.

In university teaching, my main areas of interest include the use of information and communication technology, especially the pedagogically effective integration of artificial intelligence, the development of diverse and student-centred learning materials, and research-based language teaching.




Publications


Last updated on 2025-18-06 at 18:46