Teach me Finnish, euros?

paddymorgan27 · Post by **paddymorgan27** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:26 pm

Hey all i have been in Finland 9 months or so and have a basic understanding of Finnish.
But the problem is i need to improve and i am not the one for soumi koulun, siting there signing about a "¤#%¤ng big black cat on a window sill is not for me , if you have been you know what i mean

S to the point if you are excelent at finnish and want to help a dumb ass improve his languge and get paid for it let me know! oh it will be after 4pm for a hour or two anydays between mon to friday, and i live near itäkeskus =)

**Sponsor:**

Skywalker · Post by **Skywalker** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:54 pm

No offence but i think you have sort of the wrong attitude. I'm now on my 3rd suomia koulu, and never once have i done any singing. Further more, if you go to the language courses through the employment office, YOU get money for going to them. Also you can organise work placements. I dont think having a private tutor is the way to go, i would recommend you put the "black cat" thing behind you and join a school.

paddymorgan27 · Post by **paddymorgan27** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:37 pm

Hey Mr Skywalker maybe school is for you, but as i said not for me!
The last thing i am intrested in is sitting in a class after work , i Sleep! its better with one on one as you are always engaged in the learning process.
You learn quicker, pluss the slang words which are more usefull .
Ha i am amazed you dont sing in your language course, i heard they play the banjo really well in Tampere (punaniska) =)

zeanna · Post by **zeanna** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:55 pm

Hi I dont know if this is helpful but I read on the plane about some kids play finnish course... Its for adults too... here are the web sites if theyre of interest to anyone. If anyone has been to one of the courses Id be interested to hear how you found it went...

heres the link for the article in helsinki times:
http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/htimes/inde ... Itemid=201

and here is the website:
http://www.kidsplayfinnish.com

=)

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:05 pm

Well I think you have The Right Attitude

One of the most important things for any learner is to know what your learning style is. If you know that sitting in a classroom listening to a teacher preaching grammar is not for you, then personal tuition is probably the right choice. And for some people a combination of the two is a good choice too. Many students who do well in a classroom environment are not risk takers and need the structure of lessons and grammar and correction. Others excel in a muddle through, self-correction, paraphrase, go-for-it environment with or without a tutor. I have spoken to several Brits who speak fine Finnish and have never been to a Finnish lesson, anywhere.

My own experience of classroom Finnish was also pretty dire ("3 fishes in the pond near the house" and "heavy blackboard erasers" are two examples that spring to mind) not to mention the overall lack of communication of any kind in some lessons

But then I never did the unemployment office courses which I have heard are very good.

Hope you find a tutor. Good luck!

raamv · Post by **raamv** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 12:34 am

I'd go with Penny's advice on this one..
Also, post this in "kielikoulu" for others to respond ( generally who are Finnish speaking)
There are also Finnish forums where you can attend and some skype to learn Finnish.
Search Kielikoulu section for more information.
If you are working, ask your colleagues to speak Only Finnish with you the 1st half of the day..
If you are studying, and have Finnish friends, then ask them to do the same..
Also, neighbors..are a good bet too.. Once they know that you want to learn Finnish, then they will comply unless you start to struggle..
IMO, I learnt a lot more when I started "speaking" the language than reading books/memorizing words etc etc..

paddymorgan27 · Post by **paddymorgan27** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 5:28 am

Hey ,thanks to those with constructive advice

ie Penelope , Raamv . Thanks .
ok so i will try a post on kielikoulu.
But if there is anybody still intrested let me know, or if you even know someone . Thanks

Rabs · Post by **Rabs** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 9:06 am

if you want unconventional way, buy some drinks to wino and have tipsy conversation..... at least you get to dispense with all courtesies and formalities

hell i should try this one

Jason Wright · Post by **Jason Wright** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 1:30 pm

A good way to learn Finnish is have a few kids with a Finn. I've got two girls and this approach worked for me

J

SteveS · Post by **SteveS** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 11:36 pm

Didn't work for me..

I thought I could understand Finnish quite well but I'm buggered if I can understand the Finnish my kids use half the time.!

But hell, if you want to try that method, I've got four of them and I can drop them around any day after 4pm to you

Seriously, I find my spoken Finnish improves dramatically after a few beers and I can talk to drunks all night with it. My advice is to get out more and hang around bars a lot!

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:49 am

SteveS wrote: Seriously, I find my spoken Finnish improves dramatically after a few beers and I can talk to drunks all night with it. My advice is to get out more and hang around bars a lot!

Your Finnish is like my English then!

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