Finnish Courses - Which one to opt?

ram316 · Post by **ram316** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 8:21 am

Hi,

I am looking to enrol for finnish courses and stumbled upon at.

http://www.finnishcourses.fi/#/compare? ... 1&id=41813

Which one is best in this? This may be a stupid question but any suggestions would be appreciated.
I am OK to pay 105 Euro if Helsinki Summer University is better than other 2.

Also, currently I am looking for jobs in IT industry here in Helsinki and over optimistic that learning finnish in best center would give employers some extra glimpse on my job application(??).
Or, please suggest if there are any other options?

**Sponsor:**

Beep_Boop · Post by **Beep_Boop** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 9:14 am

Honestly, having the motivation and drive to learn is far more important than the course provider. All they teach you is the basics of basics, and you're the one who has to put in the real work. You have to read, learn new words, listen to simple Finnish news, actively use ypur broken language to improve, etc. Other than that, just pick a place that is closer to you and go for it.
Having that said, I've heard good news about the Helsinki universiry course.

Good luck with your job search. Ypu're gonna need it.

sky2 · Post by **sky2** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 10:14 am

adnan wrote:Having that said, I've heard good news about the Helsinki universiry course.

May be its just me, but I find University of Helsinki courses worst. The teach like half of the chapter of Suomi sujuvaksi book in each of the lesson and there's no any practice at all (because there's hardly any time for that). There's lot of homework, so its pretty much same as reading the book and practicing on your own.

There are a few courses with lot of lessons, there they do not rush very much and focus on the practice, that's definitely much more helpful.

ram316 · Post by **ram316** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 1:04 pm

sky2 wrote: There are a few courses with lot of lessons, there they do not rush very much and focus on the practice, that's definitely much more helpful.

Do you meant at University of Helsinki or some other providers. Can you please refer those provider's names? I meant who gives lot of lessons.

sky2 · Post by **sky2** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 2:13 pm

University of Helsinki has only intensive courses, you should look at the high schools for adults.

On the finnishcourses.fi search use the 'Course feature' filter to select 'easy-going', it will show the courses with hundreds of teaching hours. Here's one example course: http://www.finnishcourses.fi/en/info?id ... urse/41015

It has 560 teaching hours, there's 3 hour class everyday, 4 days a week. You can check enrollment period for each course.

Popeye · Post by **Popeye** » Sun Dec 21, 2014 12:10 am

I also completely agree with the above postings about the University of Helsinki Summer courses. Don't go there, it's a waste of time.

As for making an impression on your potential future employer: I don't think it matters much where you study but the fact that you are studying the language is already sufficient. Being able to speak and understand some finnish is of course even better.

onkko · Post by **onkko** » Sun Dec 21, 2014 1:08 am

Language courses for someone with basics... Search something totally finnish what is done out of civilization.
You are in finnish enviroment and nearest who speaks your language is too far away. You have to learn. In worst case you have to look what others do and follow. You are immersed with finnish language and you need it to survive.
Even granmas cookie cooking course, there will be granmas who cook a cookies AND SPEAK FINNISH AND WONT TAKE YOUR !"#¤% THAT YOU CANT SPEAK, you _will_ understand when they repeat with rising volume!
I know that was effective on my friend, results may wary.

ram316 · Post by **ram316** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 6:46 am

I can understand now why helsingin aikuislukio courses are filling every soon. There are seats available in familia club and I am gonna register there. Hoping it will turn out to be good.
Thanks again for all your messages.

browndude · Post by **browndude** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 10:42 am

For starting out, I will highly recommend the intensive courses offered at the Helsingin Aikuisopisto.

Dean C · Post by **Dean C** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 11:51 pm

sky2 wrote:University of Helsinki has only intensive courses, you should look at the high schools for adults.

On the finnishcourses.fi search use the 'Course feature' filter to select 'easy-going', it will show the courses with hundreds of teaching hours. Here's one example course: http://www.finnishcourses.fi/en/info?id ... urse/41015

It has 560 teaching hours, there's 3 hour class everyday, 4 days a week. You can check enrollment period for each course.

Actually university of Helsinki courses have had night evening classes 1/2 times a week for at least my whole time here (last 5 years). more info here:
http://www.helsinki.fi/kksc/language.se ... suomi.html

But I agree that the courses are incredibly fast paced and unless you are 100% committed to the homework you'll fall behind by the end of Suomi 2 (speaking from experience!)

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