Studying Finnish

Finnish language courses are organised by adult education centres, workers’ institutes, folk high schools, universities and summer universities, for example.

You can find information on courses and online courses in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area at Finnishcourses.fi. Information about language course providers across Finland is available on the Kielibuusti website.

Courses usually begin in August or September as well as in January. You can usually attend a language course in the evening. Language courses are often very full, so make sure to register in time.

Please note that sometimes employers can also arrange language courses.

If you have prepared an integration plan with the authorities, you are entitled to free integration training. In integration training, you can study the Finnish or Swedish language, how Finnish society works and how to apply for a job in Finland. 

Read more on the page Integration into Finland.

If you are unemployed, your municipality’s employment services (työllisyyspalvelut) can direct you to integration training (kotoutumiskoulutus) and other services that support language skills.

If you are an unemployed jobseeker and want to study Finnish, agree on your studies with an Employment Services employee before you start them.

Read more on the page If you become unemployed.

The Finnish language can also be studied in preparatory education for programmes leading to an upper secondary qualification (TUVA).

Read more about preparatory education on the pages Vocational education and training and General upper secondary school.

Courses usually begin in August or September as well as in January. You can usually attend a language course in the evening. Language courses are often very full, so ensure to register in time.

Many libraries and organisations organise language cafés and discussion groups where you can practise speaking Finnish.

Follow Finnish-language media and speak Finnish whenever you can.

You can follow the news and read books in plain Finnish. Plain language (selkokieli) is easier than standard language. You can borrow plain language books from the library for free if you have a library card.

You can also learn Finnish through various hobbies. You can find more information about hobbies on the InfoFinland pages Leisure and Studying as a hobby.

If you would like to learn Finnish independently at home, you can find materials on the InfoFinland page Finnish online.

You can also study Finnish, for example with a private teacher. You can find private teachers on the Internet, for example by using the search term ”suomen kielen yksityisopetus”.