Finnish level 1-2-3

lucas2009 · Post by **lucas2009** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 5:54 pm

Hi,
My contract will end by the January 2009, so I am going to be unemployed...
I would like to use that period to improve my finnish language, so I need to go to study Finnish level 1,2,3.
How to find those course ( Espoo, Helsinki) ? I prefer those course offered by työvoimatoimisto.
When I study I am going to get a material support ?
How 500 euros income ( part time job) will affect such support?
Thank you

**Sponsor:**

Karhunkoski · Post by **Karhunkoski** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 6:29 pm

lucas2009 wrote: How to find those course ( Espoo, Helsinki) ?

lucas2009 wrote: I prefer those course offered by työvoimatoimisto.

Without wishing to appear sarcastic, have you considered asking in the työvoimatoimisto?

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 7:44 pm

Gees....

When will this government figure out that the best way to teach foreigners Finnish is at the work place.
Give employers a 100% deductible tax break on Finnish lessons for foreigners and do us all a favour....

So easy.

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 7:57 pm

we have mandatory English lessons...

Karhunkoski · Post by **Karhunkoski** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:19 pm

penelope wrote:When will this government figure out that the best way to teach foreigners Finnish is at the work place.

+1

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:32 pm

but then again to get a job you need to speak Finnish

Karhunkoski · Post by **Karhunkoski** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:00 pm

Pursuivant wrote:but then again to get a job you need to speak Finnish

Yes and no. Of course if you're behind the counter in the posti, you need Finnish.

However there are a growing number of forward-looking companies in Finland who are taking people in, "living" with their poor Finnish in the short term, giving them Finnish language classes, knowing that they will reap the benefits in the future. But of course you knew that already, I've said it before.

Tiwaz · Post by **Tiwaz** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 8:58 am

penelope wrote:Gees....

When will this government figure out that the best way to teach foreigners Finnish is at the work place.
Give employers a 100% deductible tax break on Finnish lessons for foreigners and do us all a favour....

So easy.

And it would lead to unequal situation where government pays subsidies to have foreigners take jobs. Sorry, won't float.

Perhaps if all training courses given to workers were 100% deductible. Then employers could choose if they want to teach foreigner Finnish or increase competence of existing workers.

Karhunkoski wrote: Yes and no. Of course if you're behind the counter in the posti, you need Finnish.

However there are a growing number of forward-looking companies in Finland who are taking people in, "living" with their poor Finnish in the short term, giving them Finnish language classes, knowing that they will reap the benefits in the future. But of course you knew that already, I've said it before.

Only if they have urgent need of worker and no other applicants. Or if foreigner can somehow bring something so valuable with them that it outweigths the costs compared to hiring available Finn. And taking risk that foreign guy gets totally depressed next winter and moves back to Manchester.

And no, as everyone should by now know. Being foreigner is not enormously valuable trait.

Majava · Post by **Majava** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 9:22 am

Please allow me to pimp your quote

Tiwaz wrote:Or, if they are not in emergency and seriously short of applicants (unlikely), they just hire that less qualified, unmotivated and suffering from that typical monday morning-calling-in sick routine Finn who can start working right away instead of 6 months from now.
And reap greater benefits. Specially when Finn is less likely to get depressed next fall and move back to Manchester, but just get depressed and stay.

About as ridculous as without the quotes, but employers and Finns working in HR told me that it is not far from the truth...

Penelope made a good point

best way to teach foreigners Finnish is at the work place

And when I read it, I assumed that she was talking about those who already got a job.

debonaire · Post by **debonaire** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 9:33 am

penelope wrote:Gees....

When will this government figure out that the best way to teach foreigners Finnish is at the work place.
Give employers a 100% deductible tax break on Finnish lessons for foreigners and do us all a favour....

So easy.

This is exactly what I have been saying...Infact,our company has been offering finnish language classes for us foreigners for the last one year...

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:39 pm

Does SOL give Finnish lessons to the 80% of its workforce who are Finnish???

Tiwaz · Post by **Tiwaz** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 1:00 pm

Majava wrote: About as ridculous as without the quotes, but employers and Finns working in HR told me that it is not far from the truth...

I'm sorry for not telling the official "truth" of course all Finns are lazy bastards who never do a thing. But foreigners, dear God. They are all so handsome/beautiful, incredibly intelligent. Could each one solve physics puzzles with left hand while painting art with right. Not only that, but they are so incredibly skilled that they can do any job they decide to!

Face the music, if Finns were bad workers this country would not be where it is. Or do you claim that success of Finland was done by nonexisting foreigner presence?

I take your claims on HR friends and employers for what it is worth. Most likely BS.

And when I read it, I assumed that she was talking about those who already got a job.

Which doesn't change a thing.

Karhunkoski · Post by **Karhunkoski** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 1:39 pm

I don't think Finns are particularly bad workers, although I don't think anyone can deny that there is sometimes a problem with some peoples' performance after a weekend spent blind drunk. I know one guy who jokes that he can only stomach soup for Monday lunch, it's the only thing that will stay down. I've also sat on job interview panels in 3 countries in Europe, and I have only heard the question, "How much alcohol do you use?", asked in one country. If I could summarise the average Finnish worker: he is shy of taking responsibility, will not do more than is necessary, is not good at planning, but when the chips are down and the deadline is a whisper away, he we pull something from nowhere and the job will get done.

Tiwaz · Post by **Tiwaz** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 7:25 am

That is very much true.

Fortunately at least most people I see in my office limit their drinking so that they are able to work at noon next day (and come to work later and stay bit later).

I agree with Penny that courses being tax deductible can help with employers arranging training. But as said, it cannot be limited to language courses of foreigners. Either all or nothing.

Everything else would be twisting the job market by offering government subsidies for certain groups but not others.

Foreigner should be given same benefits as Finn in same situation. Nothing less, nothing more.

Majava · Post by **Majava** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 7:41 am

Tiwaz wrote:Foreigner should be given same benefits as Finn in same situation. Nothing less, nothing more.

Huh? That would mean to export the Finn to somewhere abroad and give him language training there? Well, why not?

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