Thank you to the many that have answered some questions that I have had in the past. New one here:
I have A status permit now after 4 years of B. Despite working in Finland and being able to do ok with basic converstations in Finnish, give me a break since I work in a primarialy Swedish speaking area albeit 70% of my co workers are Finnish speakers, I would like to get up to speed in a language course.
I know that the Employment Office has a program that helps set up language classes and offers to pay for them. However I have heard conflicting reports about how that works. When I asked at the Office one has to be laid off or unemployed before they can start and be signed up. Fair enough. But does one recieve only money to cover the cost of the classes? How does one afford to live? Last winter I checked a class out on my own until I needed to go to work. It was 5 days a week 8 hours a day. Thats hard to balance with a job also.
I am not looking for a free ride here at all, I have paid my taxes for 4 years and have never asked for anything from the govt or whatever and if I was truly unemployed would rather move away than be a burden. However to better set myself up becoming proficeint in the language is a good step.
Does anyone have any info about this or has gone through it?
When I asked the working office they said that they pay for classes but the lady didnt know anymore. Do they help with living expenses at all?
Thank you, Jesse
Study benefits
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Hank W.
- The Motorhead
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Nope, and if you "become unemployed" as in quitting you get 3 months quarantine. Here is wisdom, you have a job so you get nothing. If you became a full-time student on your own you'd get less than if you were unemployed actually, as a student is not unemployed. Not that some Finnish course would entitle you to any student aid either, but that is besides the point. You have to understand the wisdom in the system; not do anything sensible nor logical. Doesn't matter if you paid taxes here all your life, the wisdom of the system surpasses anything sensible and logical. Best thing to do is find an evening school kansanopisto/ iltalukio for adults and they have cheap courses.
Like here Turun Suomenkielinen Työväenopisto:
http://www.tkukoulu.fi/~tsuto/kielet.html#fivieras
You need to be first in queue, as these are popular as they are a fraction of the price.
OH, even better this one is "free for foreigners" and it will take you through basics to advanced.
http://www.turuniltalukio.fi/fin/maahan ... oreigners/
Like here Turun Suomenkielinen Työväenopisto:
http://www.tkukoulu.fi/~tsuto/kielet.html#fivieras
You need to be first in queue, as these are popular as they are a fraction of the price.
OH, even better this one is "free for foreigners" and it will take you through basics to advanced.
http://www.turuniltalukio.fi/fin/maahan ... oreigners/
Last edited by Hank W. on Fri Aug 11, 2006 12:01 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Cheers, Hank W.
sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.
sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.
Here is a list of Finnish courses for foreigners in Turku:
http://www.aboavita.net/suomi/kurssikal ... on=listAll
http://www.aboavita.net/suomi/kurssikal ... on=listAll
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jessesuomi
- Posts: 173
- Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2005 1:58 pm
- Location: Helsinki
Thanks.
Its not a matter of lists of needing to find language schools. I have plenty of those. I guess I am looking to see if anyone has experience with the Govt "foreigner INTERGRATION" program that they offer. They require you to take these language classes but it is hard to do so and work. I know they will offer some study money but I was wondering if anyone here has gone through this and had any help from the govt with living expenses.
It is mentioned on the KELA site but KELA itself doesnt pay to this. The working office personell didnt have so much info on it either.
Its not a matter of lists of needing to find language schools. I have plenty of those. I guess I am looking to see if anyone has experience with the Govt "foreigner INTERGRATION" program that they offer. They require you to take these language classes but it is hard to do so and work. I know they will offer some study money but I was wondering if anyone here has gone through this and had any help from the govt with living expenses.
It is mentioned on the KELA site but KELA itself doesnt pay to this. The working office personell didnt have so much info on it either.
Hi there!
I have done one of the courses you're talking about ...
AFAIK the course run by Turku's (un)employment office starts in October, you will have to claim the KELA unemployment benefit (actually called integration assistance or something) which amounts to around 600€ per month including the travelling costs which the employment office pay for.
Depending on your circumstances, you might then have to claim housing assistance and that's another fun form to fill in!
Re working - yes you can work at the same time but everything must be detailed on the KELA forms you have to fill in every month (and it can't be between 8am and 3pm Monday - Friday when the course runs).
In practice this is incredibly difficult to manage, and actually this is an intensive course designed to be done instead of working.
Not sure I could have worked or done anything meaningful after having my brain scrambled for 7 hours a day
Plus you have this 3 month quarantine thing to think about, so they might let you on the course but probably wouldn't give you any money for 3 months.
Hope this is some help!
I have done one of the courses you're talking about ...
AFAIK the course run by Turku's (un)employment office starts in October, you will have to claim the KELA unemployment benefit (actually called integration assistance or something) which amounts to around 600€ per month including the travelling costs which the employment office pay for.
Depending on your circumstances, you might then have to claim housing assistance and that's another fun form to fill in!
Re working - yes you can work at the same time but everything must be detailed on the KELA forms you have to fill in every month (and it can't be between 8am and 3pm Monday - Friday when the course runs).
In practice this is incredibly difficult to manage, and actually this is an intensive course designed to be done instead of working.
Not sure I could have worked or done anything meaningful after having my brain scrambled for 7 hours a day
Plus you have this 3 month quarantine thing to think about, so they might let you on the course but probably wouldn't give you any money for 3 months.
Hope this is some help!