Challenge learning Finnish in America

[H3adHunt3r]

I'd like to know the recommended Finnish language learning software for English speaking Americans like myself,
Rosetta Stone doesn't have It, and I'm eager to find out which computer software is best for me to achieve fluency in speaking Finnish.

Can any of you guys please help me with this situation?

Sincerely-
Matthew Keltner

[tuulen]

Hi, Matthew,

Unfortunately there is no software of any decent quality available for you to learn Finnish. But as an English speaking American you need to learn the grammar of Finnish, first and foremost. Once again, there is no good software for that, and by copy right law all of the best grammar texts are published in print, only.

The only really good grammar text easily available to you is Finnish: An Essential Grammar, 2nd edition by Fred Karlsson and published internationally by Routeledge, ISBN13: 978-0-415-43914-5.

There are other good Finnish/English grammar texts available, but they are published only in Finland.

[Hee]

Rather than waste money on computer software (that won't work), you might want to try some free or mostly free websites that are all the rage with language learners these days:

http://randomfinnishlesson.blogspot.fi/ ... nnish.html
A language learning blog with some sites for learning Finnish.

http://www.lingq.com
Listen and read while highlighting words you know/don't know and instantly looking up those new to you - audios and dialogues included. Person running this site also has an awesome youtube blog. Has lots of languages.

http://www.memrise.com
A helpful site to learn and memorise a lot of words using memory techniques. Lots of languages here too.

http://www.fluentin3months.com
Author blogs about how he learns languages well in 3 months focusing on speaking.

I'd look up detailed reviews on youtube/internet before putting out any money for expensive software like Rosetta Stone. Language learning systems need to be tailored by you so that you learn and focus on the things you like. Software like Rosetta Stone will end up unused because you have to learn it their way and there is only so much "jump, the boy jumps, jump, the boys jump - hat, this is a hat, the hat is on the woman" that you will be able to take before you return the box to a dusty corner for some spider to make its home.

[mrjimsfc]

Don't overlook the possibilities of learning Finnish from Finns in America! Concordia College in Moorehead, Minnesota offers summer classes (camps) in speaking Finnish. They cover all groups from children to adults and beginners to advanced. It's not too expensive and a lot of fun.

[ChristyJude]

Assimil is a pretty good program for Finnish, that is about $70 last I checked. Though unfortunately it is unavailable with English as a base language (French is the base,if you happen to speak that)
http://www.assimil.com/afficheResultatRecherche.do

Teach Yourself also has a Finnish book course that's around $20.

Here's a blog about learning Finnish: http://thinkinfinnish.com/

And practice reading here: http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/finland.htm

Other than that hit up youtube and Skype, free and easy contact with natives.

Lang-8.com is a good site or practicing writing and you can get feedback from native speakers.
Use conversationexchange.com (or bunches of other websites) to find someone to Skype with.

Hope this helped

[ailema4ever]

Pohjois-Pohjanmaa Kesäyliopisto provides some free online Finnish courses (need to download Adobe Connect to join in the virtual classroom):

http://www.pohjois-pohjanmaankesayliopi ... e_courses/

You can also join in the group in Facebook. Here's the link for the group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/157836860904111/

P.S. I know the teacher from the group in Facebook and she's EXCELLENT!!!