Zs00zsa wrote:^That's what I'm trying to do now as well... should go to Työvoimatoimisto to register tomorrow. Which course pays the most? (sorry, sounds like an arrogant question, but without speaking the language I can't work anywhere yet, and I still need to buy food and keep on living...)
You should be unemployed and with resident permit to get a course like that. As soon as you go to "työvoimatoimisto" in your city your name will be added to a "waiting list" of foreigners who want to attend the course, so it will start in October-November, I think.
My experience:
In 2002-2003 I attended the MAMU (integration course for immigrants) which lasted for about 10 months. I used to go to shool every day for 7 hours each day, we had a luch break and two shorter breaks for coffees. Lessons were ONLY in Finnish.
I used to get some support from KELA so it was something like a job for me. All in all it was worth it even though I should say it felt really really hard!
And my personal nightmare were the so called "kotitehtävät" = Homeworks! Read, repeat the verbs, write small essays.
Ok, I don't care anymore, I've learnt sooo much from it that I would do it again and again.
(the only condition is to live in Helsinki) ! The next session should start in january and the timetable should be available on their website http://kulttuuri.hel.fi/caisa/index_en.html at the beginning of december. During the autumn term, each basic course was 8 hours/week during 4 months. 
