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In spring 2027 our Swedish courses for foreigners living in Finland include intensive beginners’ courses, a beginners’ continuation course, Elementary Swedish and Intermediate Swedish, which prepares you for the intermediate-level YKI test. Classes are held at our building in Töölö (Runeberginkatu 22–24). The courses cost €117–134, with a reduced price for immigrants thanks to support from the Finnish National Agency for Education. Our English-taught Swedish courses are taught in Swedish and English, and the coursebooks are in Swedish with English vocabulary, so no Finnish is needed. We also offer Swedish courses for Finnish speakers who want to refresh their school Swedish; these are taught in Swedish with Finnish when needed. The language of instruction is always shown in the course details in the registration system. See all our courses taught in English. Courses Frequently asked questions Registration Which course is right for you? If you want to…Explorestart Swedish from scratch without FinnishIntensive Beginner Swedish part 1continue after about one term of SwedishBeginner Swedish Continuation, Intensive Beginner Swedish part 2move on to elementary levelElementary Swedishprepare for the intermediate-level YKI test in SwedishIntermediate Swedishrefresh your school Swedish (taught with Finnish support)Courses for Finnish speakers Courses in spring 2027 This list is based on the published spring 2027 programme. You can always find up-to-date information, course descriptions and available places in the registration system. All courses are held at Runeberginkatu 22–24. Beginner level (level 0–A1.2) On the beginners’ courses you learn the basics of Swedish to manage in everyday situations, such as introducing yourself and talking about your day, food, transport, the weather and home. You also practise listening, writing and grammar, and homework supports effective learning. The courses are taught in Swedish and English, are aimed at foreigners living in Finland and are partly subsidised by the Finnish National Agency for Education. Finnish speakers are also welcome. Intensive Beginner Swedish part 1, level 0: Wed 17.00–19.00, 20 Jan – 17 Mar 2027, Kari Vehmas, €117 (immigrants €104). No previous study needed. Intensive Beginner Swedish part 2, A1.1: Wed 17.00–19.00, 31 Mar – 19 May 2027, Kari Vehmas, €117 (immigrants €104). Follows on from part 1. Beginner Swedish Continuation, A1.1: Tue 17.00–18.30, 12 Jan – 6 Apr 2027, Bodil Wadenström, €134 (immigrants €121). For learners with about one term of Swedish. Intensive Beginner Swedish part 3, A1.2: Thu 18.00–20.00, 21 Jan – 18 Mar 2027, Sonja Sjöholm, €117 (immigrants €104). Health, a ferry cruise, the environment and Finland-Swedish culture. For learners who have completed part 2 or studied Swedish for about two terms. The beginners’ courses use the coursebook Vi ses! Svenska för nybörjare, and the audio can be downloaded free of charge from the publisher’s Nova app. Elementary level (A2.1) Elementary Swedish, A2.1: Thu 18.00–20.00, 1 Apr – 27 May 2027, Sonja Sjöholm, €117 (immigrants €104). Family, free time, home and shopping, taught in Swedish and English. For learners with about one and a half years of Swedish. Coursebook: Mål 2. Intermediate level (B1) Intermediate Swedish, B1: Mon 17.00–18.30, 11 Jan – 12 Apr 2027, Kari Vehmas, €134 (immigrants €121). Everyday and more complex situations, such as history and justice, with a focus on the intermediate-level YKI test. Taught mostly in Swedish with a little English, so no Finnish is needed. For learners with about three and a half years of Swedish. Coursebook: Rivstart B1/B2. Courses for Finnish speakers These courses are for people who studied Swedish at school in Finland and want to refresh it. They are taught in Swedish with Finnish when needed. The Finnish course name is shown first. Ruostuneen perusruotsin tehokertaus, A2.2 (Refresh your rusty school Swedish): Mon 18.40–20.10, 11 Jan – 12 Apr 2027, Kari Vehmas, €134. Puhu ruotsia töissä ja arjessa, B1 (Speak Swedish at work and in everyday life): Thu 17.00–18.30, 21 Jan – 1 Apr 2027, Bodil Wadenström, €112 (unemployed €92). Puhu ja kuuntele ruotsia rennosti, B1 (Relaxed Swedish speaking and listening): Tue 17.00–19.00, 27 Apr – 25 May 2027, Bodil Wadenström, €75. The YKI test in Swedish We organise the National Certificates of Language Proficiency (YKI) in Swedish at intermediate level. You can find test dates and registration details on our YKI page. Intermediate Swedish develops your skills with the intermediate-level YKI test in mind. YKI tests at Helsingin aikuisopisto. Good to know Location: Runeberginkatu 22–24, Helsinki. How to find us. Language of instruction: The Swedish courses with English names are taught in Swedish and English, so no Finnish is needed. The courses for Finnish speakers are taught in Swedish with Finnish when needed. Reduced prices: On the English-taught courses there is a reduced price for immigrants, supported by the Finnish National Agency for Education. On Puhu ruotsia töissä ja arjessa, unemployed people can get a €20 discount: register but do not pay, and contact toimisto@helao.fi. The number of discounts is limited. Levels: The course levels follow the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (level 0, A1, A2, B1). Language proficiency scale • Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Textbooks: Textbooks are not included in the course fee unless the course details say otherwise. We recommend that you buy the textbook right after the first class. You can buy textbooks from bookshops, online bookshops and publishers’ websites. We do not supply textbooks. Payment: Language courses cannot be paid for with Edenred or Epassi culture and sport benefits. If your employer offers a tax-free culture benefit (up to €400 a year) that you would like to use for language studies, we can make a separate agreement with your employer. You choose the course, and we invoice the full fee or the part your employer covers directly to your employer. Please contact our study guidance or office for more information. Certificate: You can request a certificate from our office once the course has ended. Frequently asked questions Can I learn Swedish without speaking Finnish? Yes. Our Swedish courses with English names are taught in Swedish and English, and the coursebooks have English vocabulary sections, so no Finnish is needed. Can I start Swedish from scratch in spring? Yes. Intensive Beginner Swedish part 1 (level 0) starts in January, and no previous study is needed. It is followed by part 2, which starts at the end of March. Is there a reduced price for immigrants? Yes. The English-taught Swedish courses are partly subsidised by the Finnish National Agency for Education, and there is a reduced price for immigrants. Choose the reduced price when you register. Can I prepare for the YKI test in Swedish? Yes. Intermediate Swedish (B1) develops your skills with the intermediate-level YKI test in mind. Can I join a course that has already started? Yes, on most courses. Register for the course but do not pay, and email toimisto@helao.fi to tell us when you will start. We will send you a payment link with an adjusted price. How much do the courses cost? In spring 2027 our Swedish courses cost €75–134. On the English-taught courses the reduced price for immigrants is €104 or €121. Textbooks are not included unless the course details say otherwise. Can I pay with Edenred or Epassi? No. Language courses cannot be paid for with culture and sport benefits. You can, however, use a tax-free culture benefit from your employer through a separate agreement. Please contact our office for more information. See also Language courses: all the languages we teach. Finnish language courses: learn Finnish, Finland’s other national language. Courses taught in English: all our courses taught in English. Danish courses: another Nordic language. Teachers of our language courses: meet our teachers. Registration Browse all our Swedish courses and register online. Our study guidance can help you choose a course and answer questions about your studies. For more information about our Swedish courses, please contact Niina Kerppola, Head of Foreign Languages, at niina.kerppola@helao.fi.
