Finnish Language: To Learn or not to Learn, it is not a question!
To have better opportunities to integrate into the Finnish society and work, it is worth making an effort to learn some Finnish.
It makes a big impression in different situations when you speak some Finnish and show that you are willing to learn more, especially at work and at job interviews. Companies tend to require Finnish language skills.
All English-taught degree programmes at HAMK include 10-credit compulsory Finnish language courses to help you learn Finnish. There are also extra courses which can support your learning further. You can ask the Finnish teacher in your class for more information on those extra courses. Besides those courses offered by HAMK, we encourage you to study Finnish more as it will greatly help with your integration into Finnish society and culture, especially when you plan to develop your career in Finland.
Finnish courses
There are many Finnish language courses and activities which can help you boost your language skills. Finnish language courses are organised by different education institutes, and they usually begin in August or September as well as in January. As a student at HAMK, you can choose to attend language courses in the evening. Despite of your campus, you can take also online courses.
Find language course providers at Kielibuusti (Language Boost) project
Finnish language online courses at Search online Finnish courses | Finnishcourses
If you live in big major cities such as Tampere, Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo, Turku, Kauniainen and Oulu, you can find Finnish and Swedish courses at Search Finnish courses | Finnishcourses
Community colleges (Kansalaisopisto) in Finland offer a lot of Finnish language courses. You can search for courses offered by your local community college and folk high schools.
Hämeenlinna, Lepaa & Evo: VOP In English – Vanajaveden Opisto (kktavastia.fi)
Valkeakoski: Valkeakoski Lifelong Learning Centre and Päivölän opisto (paivola.fi)
Riihimäki: Riihimäen kansalaisopisto in English (opistopalvelut.fi)
Forssa & Mustiala: Wahren-opisto (opistopalvelut.fi) .
Language café or similar discussion groups
Besides courses, you can also improve your Finnish language skills by joining a language café or other similar discussion activities. Language café and discussion groups are usually organized by local organizations such as library, Red cross or integration services.
Currently, there are registered language café or similar discussion group activities in Hämeenlinna, Riihimäki and Forssa. Language Café or discussion groups.
Self-study resources
There are numerous apps and websites where you can find useful resources to help you study Finnish language on your own. For example:
Kielibuusti: Kielibuusti
Finnish in the pocket: Learning Finnish through videos
Finnish Ministry of Education: Kotisuomessa
Nice-to-meet-you Finnish: Finnish for beginners and asylum seekers
Finnish for foreigners: Learn Finnish online!
Digital Dialects: Learn Finnish through games
Language learning apps or platform: DigiCampus (platform)
Finnish language passport (app) – Currently under maintenance, and will be available again to use in the Spring 2024
Duolingo (platform and app)
Drops (app)
https://www.opeton.co (app)
You can also check Finnish online (infofinland.fi) to find more online learning opportunities.
The National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI)
The YKI test is a national language assessment for adults in Finland. It evaluates functional language skills for daily life at basic, intermediate, or advanced levels. The test assesses your ability to use standard language for understanding, speaking, and writing in everyday contexts. It is not necessary to have completed language course before taking the test, but you should have a sufficient level. While passing it is necessary for Finnish citizenship applications, it can also be beneficial for job application or university applications if you want to pursue a degree in Finnish.
For the YKI test preparation, check YKI Pass as it offers a step by step online guide.
You can take part in the YKI Test (National Certificates of Language Proficiency (YKI) | Finnish National Agency for Education (oph.fi)
HAMK organizes YKI tests for international degree students who are eligible for paying tuition fees. Therefore, if you are from non-EU and non-EEA countries and are obliged to pay the annual tuition fees, you can take the YKI test with HAMK, that will also make you eligible for a scholarship. Read more about it in our website (Tuition Fees and Scholarships – HAMK)
It doesn’t always have to be serious!
Other than the variety of Finnish language learning offered, there are other ways that can help you learn and practice your language in your everyday life, you can for example:
1. Watch Movies and TV Shows
One of the most enjoyable ways to immerse yourself in Finnish is through movies and TV shows. Start with films and series that you are interested in —whether it’s comedy, drama, or thrillers. Watching in Finnish with English subtitles can help bridge the gap between understanding and expression. As you get more comfortable, switch to Finnish subtitles to improve your reading skills and connect spoken words with their written forms.
For an added challenge, choose genres that feature everyday conversations rather than formal speech. Sitcoms and reality shows are excellent for this. If you’re up for it, turn off the subtitles altogether and see how much you can pick up. Plus, discussing the plot or your favorite scenes with friends in Finnish can provide a practical application of what you’ve learned.
2. Join a Hobby or Club
Integrating Finnish into your hobbies and social activities is a fantastic way to learn. Find clubs or groups that match your interests—whether it’s photography, hiking, or even board games. Many local hobby groups will have Finnish-speaking members or be conducted in Finnish.
3. Make Local Friends and Engage in Fun Activities
Building relationships with native speakers is one of the most effective ways to learn Finnish. Local friends can offer insights into expressions, cultural nuances, and real-life language use that you might not find in textbooks. To facilitate that, HAMK organizes the International Friendship Program where international degree program students can be matched with a local host that can be a student, a family, a company mentor…
You might also explore local events together—festivals, markets, or concerts. These activities not only provide context for the language but also help you become familiar with Finnish customs and traditions. Your friends can help you with pronunciation, provide instant feedback, and introduce you to new vocabulary in a relaxed setting.
4. Learn from Songs
Music is a powerful tool for language learning, especially when it comes to mastering spoken Finnish. Listen to Finnish songs across various genres—pop, rock, traditional folk, or rap—to get a feel for different accents, and pronunciation. Pay attention to the lyrics and try to sing along. This practice helps with listening comprehension and pronunciation.
Start by choosing songs with clear lyrics and simple language. As you get more comfortable, you can explore more complex tracks. Consider creating a playlist of your favorite Finnish songs and use it as a backdrop while you study or relax. Engaging with music helps reinforce vocabulary and grammar in an enjoyable and memorable way.
You can always find your own ways of learning so that it is more efficient for you, just be persistent and keep learning continuously.
Start learning Finnish now!