Home Courses Languages French Courses French Courses CoursesBeauty and Fashion Courses Culture, Society and Environment Courses Dance Courses Handicrafts Courses Languages Arabic Courses Chinese Courses Danish courses Dutch Courses English Courses Estonian Courses Finnish Courses French Courses German Courses Greek Courses Italian Courses Japanese Courses Korean Courses Latin Courses Persian Courses Polish Courses Portuguese Courses Russian Courses Spanish Courses Swedish Courses Thai courses Ukrainian courses Benefits for Members of the Pro Trade Union Media, Computer skills and Photography Music Courses Sports Courses Theatre and Improvisation Visual arts Well-being Courses Written Expression and Communication Open University Studies Benefits for Union Members Tiivistelmä On our French courses at Helsingin aikuisopisto you can learn French from complete beginner to intermediate level (level 0–B1). In spring 2027 we offer more than 20 courses: intensive beginners’ courses, weekly continuation courses at every level, a course to reactivate rusty French, a conversation course, a literature course and A weekend in Paris in French!, which runs on two Saturdays. Some courses take place during the day. Classes are held at our building in Töölö (Runeberginkatu 22–24). The courses start from January 2027 and cost €45–134. Please note that our beginner and elementary French courses are taught in Finnish and French, with more French as the level rises. The intermediate courses are taught mainly in French, so they may also suit you if you do not speak Finnish. 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 French from scratchIntensive French for beginnerscontinue after the beginners’ courseFrench beginners’ continuation coursesbring your school French back to lifeReactivate your rusty French, Revise and deepen your Frenchprepare for a trip to ParisA weekend in Paris in French!gain confidence in speaking FrenchSpeak French with confidence, Activate and deepen your Frenchstudy during the dayRevise and deepen your French, French 5 Aread French literatureFrench and French literaturestudy at intermediate level mainly in FrenchFrench in French, Revise and expand your French 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. The Finnish course name is shown in brackets. Beginner level (level 0–A1.3) On the beginner-level courses the aim is to learn to get by in French in simple everyday and travel situations, such as greeting people, introducing yourself, ordering at a café and shopping. You also learn about French culture. The intensive beginners’ courses move quickly, with two-hour classes over about two months, and their continuation course starts straight afterwards in spring. Reactivate your rusty French brings skills you learnt earlier back to life. Intensive French for beginners A, level 0 (Ranskan intensiivialkeet A): Wed 18.40–20.40, 20 Jan – 17 Mar 2027, Anna Rossi, €117. No previous study needed. Intensive French for beginners B, level 0 (Ranskan intensiivialkeet B): Thu 18.40–20.40, 21 Jan – 18 Mar 2027, Mélanie Lemaire, €117. No previous study needed. Intensive French for beginners, continuation A, A1.1 (Ranskan intensiivialkeiden jatko A): Wed 18.40–20.40, 24 Mar – 19 May 2027, Anna Rossi, €117. Follows on from the intensive beginners’ course. Intensive French for beginners, continuation B, A1.1 (Ranskan intensiivialkeiden jatko B): Thu 18.40–20.40, 1 Apr – 27 May 2027, Mélanie Lemaire, €117. Follows on from the intensive beginners’ course. French beginners’ continuation A, A1.1 (Ranskan alkeiden jatko A): Mon 17.00–18.30, 11 Jan – 12 Apr 2027, Anna Rossi, €134. For learners with about one term of French or the intensive beginners’ course. French beginners’ continuation B, A1.1 (Ranskan alkeiden jatko B): Tue 17.00–18.30, 12 Jan – 6 Apr 2027, Kirsi Kontula, €134. For learners with about one term of French or the intensive beginners’ course. French 2 A, A1.2 (Ranskan jatko 2 A): Mon 17.00–18.30, 11 Jan – 12 Apr 2027, Mélanie Lemaire, €134. For learners with about one and a half years of French. French 2 B, A1.2 (Ranskan jatko 2 B): Tue 18.45–20.15, 12 Jan – 6 Apr 2027, Kirsi Kontula, €134. For learners with about one and a half years of French. French 3 A, A1.3 (Ranskan jatko 3 A): Mon 17.00–18.30, 11 Jan – 12 Apr 2027, Kirsi Kontula, €134. For learners with about two and a half years of French. French 3 B, A1.3 (Ranskan jatko 3 B): Tue 18.40–20.10, 12 Jan – 6 Apr 2027, Anna Rossi, €134. For learners with about two and a half years of French. Reactivate your rusty French, A1.3 (Ruostuneen ranskan ripeä aktivointi): Wed 18.45–20.15, 13 Jan – 7 Apr 2027, Kirsi Kontula, €134. A brisk update of French you learnt earlier, at school for example, for everyday life and travel. For learners with about two and a half years of French. Elementary level (A1.3–A2.2) On the elementary-level courses you revise and expand your vocabulary and make your speaking, pronunciation and writing more fluent. Revise and deepen your French is ideal for updating rusty upper secondary school French, and Speak French with confidence gives you extra conversation practice. A weekend in Paris in French!, A1.3–A2.1 (Viikonloppu Pariisissa ranskaksi!): Sat 6 and 13 Mar 2027, 10.00–13.15, Mélanie Lemaire, €45. Practical conversations on public transport and in hotels, cafés and restaurants. For learners with two to three years of French. Speak French with confidence, A2.1–A2.2 (Puhu ranskaa rohkeasti): Mon 18.40–20.10, 11 Jan – 12 Apr 2027, Mélanie Lemaire, €134. Conversation on current topics in modern, natural French. For learners with about three and a half years of French. French 4, A2.1 (Ranskan jatko 4): Wed 18.45–20.15, 13 Jan – 7 Apr 2027, also on Zoom, Maria Hahtomaa, €134. Job interviews, life in Paris and presenting Finland in French. For learners with about three and a half years of French. Revise and deepen your French, A2.2 (Kertaa ja syvennä ranskaa): Tue 9.30–11.00, 12 Jan – 6 Apr 2027, Mélanie Lemaire, €134. Daytime course with a textbook written entirely in French. For learners with four to five years of French or school French. French 5 A, A2.2 (Ranskan jatko 5 A): Tue 11.15–12.45, 12 Jan – 6 Apr 2027, Mélanie Lemaire, €134. Daytime course for learners with about four and a half years of French. French 5 B, A2.2 (Ranskan jatko 5 B): Wed 17.00–18.30, 13 Jan – 7 Apr 2027, Kirsi Kontula, €134. For learners with about four and a half years of French. Intermediate level (A2.2–B1.2) On the intermediate-level courses teaching is mainly in French, as are the textbooks and materials. You practise conversation in particular and deepen your vocabulary by reading current texts and different types of text. French and French literature, A2.2–B1 (Ranskaa ja ranskalaista kirjallisuutta): Wed 17.00–19.00, 28 Apr – 26 May 2027, Mélanie Lemaire, €75. Extracts from novels, short stories and poems to build vocabulary and comprehension. For learners with about four years of French. Revise and expand your French, B1 (Ranskaa kerraten ja laajentaen): Wed 17.00–18.30, 13 Jan – 7 Apr 2027, Rodolphe Le Clech, €134. An authentic French textbook and different types of text. For learners with five to six years of French or short upper secondary school French. French in French, B1 (Ranskaa ranskaksi): Wed 18.40–20.10, 13 Jan – 7 Apr 2027, Rodolphe Le Clech, €134. Conversation based on current texts, with topics agreed together. For learners with five to six years of French or short upper secondary school French. Activate and deepen your French, B1.2 (Aktivoi ja syvennä ranskaasi): Thu 17.00–18.30, 14 Jan – 8 Apr 2027, Mélanie Lemaire, €134. A practical conversation and vocabulary course. For learners with five to six years of French or short upper secondary school French. Good to know Location: Runeberginkatu 22–24, Helsinki. How to find us. Language of instruction: At beginner level the courses are taught in Finnish with some French, and the amount of French increases level by level. At intermediate level teaching is mainly in French, and the teacher explains in Finnish when needed. Taking part online: You can join French 4 via Zoom. Zoom guide for students. 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 Are the French courses taught in English? No. At beginner and elementary level the courses are taught in Finnish and French. The intermediate courses are taught mainly in French, so they may suit you if you already speak some French but do not speak Finnish. Can I start French from scratch in spring? Yes. Intensive French for beginners A and B (level 0) start in January, and no previous study is needed. I studied French at school. Which course should I choose? Reactivate your rusty French (A1.3) gives you a brisk update of what you learnt earlier. If you studied French for longer at upper secondary school, Revise and deepen your French (A2.2) or the intermediate courses may suit you better. Are there daytime French courses? Yes. Revise and deepen your French is on Tuesdays at 9.30–11.00 and French 5 A on Tuesdays at 11.15–12.45. 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. You can see the conditions for each course in the registration system. How much do the courses cost? Weekly French courses cost €134 and the intensive courses €117. French and French literature costs €75 and A weekend in Paris in French! €45. 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. Italian courses: another Romance language from a quick start course to intermediate level. Spanish courses: from a quick start course to intermediate level. White and Sparkling Wine Culture of England and France (Burgundy, Jura and Champagne) (Englannin ja Ranskan valko- ja kuohuviinikulttuuri): Wed 17.30–20.00, 21–28 Apr 2027, €40, taught in Finnish. Explore the wines of Burgundy, Jura and Champagne, wine vocabulary and classifications. Culture, society and environment courses: including food and wine courses. Study languages from home: how our online language classes on Zoom work. Teachers of our language courses: meet our teachers. Registration Browse all our French courses and register online. Our study guidance can help you choose a course and answer questions about your studies. For more information about our French courses, please contact Niina Kerppola, Head of Foreign Languages, at niina.kerppola@helao.fi.
