Finnish classes recommendations for getting finnish passport

[keizzy]

Hi all!

I am thinking of obtaining Finnish passport next winter and I am planning to start taking intensive Finnish classes for about four months so that I can pass the final tests for at-least minimum score. I lived in finland for 7yrs now and I would say I can understand Finnish for about 40% but my writing and talking is pretty bad but sometimes I can catch finnish accent pretty good, actually lots of people say I can speak good finnish if I put effort in it. My question is What level of Finnish course should I start with that can really help me pass the final test with just minimum. I am thinking maybe basic level A2.1 to basic level A2.2 would be enough? I am told there are some people they barely speak Finnish and they pass the test? Is the test really difficult?

Whats your opinions guys especially those who went through this route.

[Rip]

I don't know about the answer to your question, but if you really want to passport next winter, you're likely late. You have to after all first both pass the language test and then have your citizenship application processed and approved before you can apply for it.

[macora]

Additionally to the fine recommendations above:

When facing a challenge somewhat outside the box I often have more luck when looking for solutions outside of the box. Depending on your funds I would consider private tuition. Check herefor example, find a solid teacher, and ask whether he/she is up for the task, to coach you to the test in November, no matter what. Writing skills one can practice off-lesson, speaking skills not so much. So I guess one would not get away with less than 1x 1.5h per week.

I personally apply the somewhat old-fashioned rule to only learn from mother tongue speakers, i.e. no Swedish-speaking Fin (sorry guys, and gals). I also have made a lot better experiences with older teachers. The people that pass as language teachers, at least in koulu, these days make my jawbone fall down, and not get re-attached ever again, seriously. Older teachers just seem to have the right level of drill, and discipline, that I at least need when learning languages (may be a prejudice based on few cases, but so far, works for me ). Also, a teacher for such coaching should try to find out how YOU learn best. Not what the latest pedagogical theory says, or how the book that is used since 7 years teaches. I.e. he/she must be pragmatical, above else. YKI3 these days is NOT about correct language, but about being understood.

It definitely sounds like you could make YKI3 in November. Best of luck to you!

[macora]

I've had more than a dozen teachers over the years and the best hands-down was a Russian lady with a noticeable accent. Her talent was in always watching whether we understood, and meticulously adapting the difficulty and speed of her speech to our level of understanding. As we learned new cases she would begin to include them in her speech. She is the only teacher I've ever had who was able to do that consistently. She was in her 20s.

On the other hand, you would be amazed how many teachers seem to think that talking equals learning. Young, old, native or not. My personal two worst teachers were one Italian in his 30s who paid no attention to whether anyone understood, and one older Finnish lady who treated everyone like a child and did not allow anyone to speak.

There certainly are talented teachers in all nations, and ages. I am curious how often you asked the Russian teacher questions like, in which circumstances EXACTLY this or that word is used, and whether this odd sentence you heard the other day could also be used in that even more odd situation, etc. Streamline first term grammar pretty much anyone can teach, absolutely agree on that. YKI3 is rather basic, so I guess he might still be learning cases, no idea. Still, I prefer teachers who have the intuitive knowledge of a language only native speakers have. As we all know, Finnish is a difficult language, with nuances being expressed that elude to non-natives. Some of my teachers were Swedish-speaking Fins, talking Finnish a LOT, having studied Finnish at University, and comparing their answers to something as simple as my very not convoluted, and simple tenancy contract was rather revealing. While I know that YKI3 these days is not about correct language, anymore, one will have to speak somewhat spontaneously. People are different, if it is fine with OP to produce what I call a "language soup" go ahead, anyone speaking Finnish and willing to coach, will do.

I tried to give OP some criteria that have worked for me in the past with PRIVATE TUITION, when needing results in a short time. Not meaning that I cover 100% of all possible cases. One has to pick a teacher VERY carefully, if one wants or needs optimal results. Also, please do keep in mind, that you still consider the 5-10 years to fluency rumor truth, while I know a LOT of people reaching that in like 3 years, people with work and family, no less. That is not because I am special, we must have different sources of information. Oh, and fluency as in working as a lawyer, and such stuff. You would be amazed the results one reaches when thinking outside of the box, it seems.

I found arguing on the internet not worth my time 20 years ago. It has not become any better. So I end it here, yet again. Good luck to OP! Find the teacher that fits you and your goal, and you can make it! At least the YKI3 no idea about the passport!

[dsenator1]

My experience, pay 100€ to register for the test the next available date, brush up on general everyday topics and see how u perform. You would be amazed you will just pass.

[keizzy]

I don't know about the answer to your question, but if you really want to passport next winter, you're likely late. You have to after all first both pass the language test and then have your citizenship application processed and approved before you can apply for it.

Thanks for the info mate, I guess I am really late to get passport in the next winter.

[keizzy]

The YKI level 3 is equivalent to B1.1 and B1.2.

If you do things in the order you suggested then you won't get a passport before 2017.

If it were me I would book and pay for only the first intensive class beginning at A2.2 and ask the teacher's opinion at the beginning. If they think you could almost pass YKI already (very possible from your description) then you might be able to do a September registration to sit the November YKI and have your passport in just over a years' time.

Great peace of advice mate, I will def take your advice. cheers

[keizzy]

Additionally to the fine recommendations above:

When facing a challenge somewhat outside the box I often have more luck when looking for solutions outside of the box. Depending on your funds I would consider private tuition. Check herefor example, find a solid teacher, and ask whether he/she is up for the task, to coach you to the test in November, no matter what. Writing skills one can practice off-lesson, speaking skills not so much. So I guess one would not get away with less than 1x 1.5h per week.

I personally apply the somewhat old-fashioned rule to only learn from mother tongue speakers, i.e. no Swedish-speaking Fin (sorry guys, and gals). I also have made a lot better experiences with older teachers. The people that pass as language teachers, at least in koulu, these days make my jawbone fall down, and not get re-attached ever again, seriously. Older teachers just seem to have the right level of drill, and discipline, that I at least need when learning languages (may be a prejudice based on few cases, but so far, works for me ). Also, a teacher for such coaching should try to find out how YOU learn best. Not what the latest pedagogical theory says, or how the book that is used since 7 years teaches. I.e. he/she must be pragmatical, above else. YKI3 these days is NOT about correct language, but about being understood.

It definitely sounds like you could make YKI3 in November. Best of luck to you!

Great insight mate but the private tuition route is a bit expensive for my budget I am afraid but I will def thinking about this as well. So the YKI3 is a test that I should pass in order to get the passport?

[keizzy]

So the YKI3 is a test that I should pass in order to get the passport?

MUST pass. You need citizenship first.

You really need to start by reading up, because you would know a lot of this already if you had even taken five minutes to read

http://www.migri.fi/finnish_citizenship ... h_passport (note that it mentions you need citizenship)
http://www.migri.fi/finnish_citizenship ... quirements (the requirements to get citizenship)
http://www.migri.fi/finnish_citizenship ... age_skills (in answer to your query about the YKI at level 3).

Oh cheers mate really I should start reading up things. Big up yourself!!

[Beep_Boop]

Am I the only who feels a bit awkward reading something like "Finnish class recommendation for getting Finnish passport"?
I mean, this is a citizenship. For all intents and purposes, you'll be counted as belonging to a group of people, Finns. To me, it feels that it should be treated with a bit more respect, and should be looked at as more than just a passport.

I'm very much against getting a different citizenship than my birth one, but I still think other citizenship must be treated with respect. "Finnish class to get passport" sounds too commercialized and too cheap.