HOW to FINLAND

Starting from zero, beginners can take classes online and/or in-person.

Finnish for Beginners 1 (Suomen kielen alkeet 1).

School: Turun Kesäyliopisto Finnish for Beginners 1
Zoom lessons, EduGo material and exam
Level: Begins at 0, ends at A1.1 level of proficiency. Chapters 1-3 of “Suomen Mestari 1” (2020 edition).
Fee required: yes
Textbook required: yes
30 lessons
2 credit units

School: Helsingin Seudun Kesäyliopisto Suomea intensiivisesti 1 ryhmä C (in Finnish and English)
Web browser lessons
Level: Begins at 0, ends at A1.1 level of proficiency. Chapters 1-5 of “Suomen Mestari 1” (2020 edition).
Fee required: yes
Textbook required: yes
15 lessons (52 hours)

PROFICIENT USER C2 Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations. C1 Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

INDEPENDENT USER B2 Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options. B1 Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

BASIC USER A2 Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need. A1 Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

When people talk about the potato colors, they often mean the colors of the bags that the potatoes are packaged in, not the potatoes themselves.

In Finland, people wear layers to keep warm in cold weather. The garments are a little loose, not tight against the body, in order to trap and hold body heat in between the layers. Breathable, moisture wicking fabrics are preferred, as staying dry is a priority.

This first layer is the “normal” underpants worn in daily life. Cotton fabrics are avoided, because cotton absorbs moisture from the body. Once damp, the cotton fabric no longer holds a layer of warm air, and the body feels cold.

The next layer is a pair of long, thin pants. Usually made from wool, the Finnish refer to this garment as “long johns” (pitkähousut, pitkikset). These pants are loose against the legs, without compression. Closer to pajamas than running tights. Good alternatives to wool include merino wool, bamboo, viscose. Avoid cotton. The idea is to wick away the body's moisture while holding an isulating layer of warm air.

For added warmth, another layer of insulation can be worn over the long underware. Sweatpants, or as the Finnish call them “college pants” (collegehousut) are often worn. Another option is fleece-lined leggings. Again, the fit is loose to avoid compressing the underlayers.

Parking disc goes on the dash. Set the time to the time that you started parking, rounded up to the next half hour.

In many places, queues are managed with assigned numbers rather than standing people in a line. Look for a screen that you can tap to print a small receipt with a number on it, and then watch or listen for your number to come up. Stay near the counter, or they may skip you when it's your turn.