Finnish language course

[kitikeyt]

I have been waiting for a course that TE office is sponsoring for about 2 months now. I've read and also been informed that waiting could take several months (even half a year). Anyway, I was thinking of enrolling for a language course on my own but my integration officer told me that it should be at least 20 hours a week for them to consider it. http://www.te-services.fi/te/en/jobseek ... index.html

After researching for courses, I found out that these courses only last for maximum of 2 months. I am level zero and it is not enough for me to learn for sure. Will enrolling for a course on my own removes me from the queue for TE office sponsored course? I wouldn't mind paying for my own for few months but I don't think I would learn in those few months (yeah, no sarcastic remarks please. I am well aware of how hard hard Finnish language is bla bla). Has anybody tried taking a language course and told the TE office about it? What happens after taking a language course that you arranged for and paid for on your own? I would really appreciate if someone would shared their experience.

[Upphew]

I have no personal experience. Common sense says you should be fine taking a course you pay yourself as you can drop out as soon as TE people say so. Granted TE and common sense might be mutually exclusive..

[Rip]

Asked them in advance (make it a "hypothetical" though specific enough, even if you consider a specific course already). In case they say "no" (= say that you can not be an unemployed job seeker (get benefits) and participate in that kind of course at the same time (common sense and TE office only occasionally are found in same sentence)), you may still consider enrolling to it, just don't tell them (and be prepared to drop out if they come with something of their own, even if it seems a less useful course).

[Flossy1978]

I knew someone who went to private lessons in Vantaa. She was paid by TE, because they accepted the hours she spent at the course.

If the course doesn't fulfill the required time, just take it. You're paying for it. I don't think you even need to tell TE.

Any and every course is good to at least try

Good luck!