Home Courses Languages Korean Courses Korean 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 Korean courses at Helsingin aikuisopisto, you can start learning Korean from scratch and progress to elementary level (level 0–A2.1). In spring 2027 we offer an intensive beginners’ course, continuation courses at different levels and a course focusing on speaking and listening. You learn the Hangeul alphabet, everyday expressions and the basics of Korean grammar and discover Korean culture, food and entertainment along the way. Classes are held at our building in Töölö (Runeberginkatu 22–24), and the courses cost €89–134. Please note that our Korean courses are taught in Finnish and Korean. 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 The Korean language Korean is spoken by around 77 million people worldwide. Unlike Finnish, Korean has no related languages: it is a language isolate. Korean has a more complex system of inflection than Finnish, which is used to express nuances and levels of politeness. The Korean language and the popular culture that comes with it have taken the world by storm: Squid Game, filmed entirely in Korean, is one of the most watched series on Netflix, and Baby Shark Dance, one of the most viewed videos on YouTube, was produced by the South Korean company Pinkfong. So why not choose a Korean course and discover the charm of the Korean language! Which course is right for you? If you want to…Explorestart Korean from scratchIntensive Korean for beginnerscontinue after the beginners’ courseKorean beginners’ continuation coursespractise speaking and listening, also with films, series and songsSpeak and listen to Koreandeepen your Korean with a textbook written in KoreanKorean 4 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 and taught by Heeyoung Han. The Finnish course name is shown in brackets. Beginner level (level 0–A1.3) On the beginners’ course, you start with the Korean writing system, the Hangeul alphabet, building syllables and pronunciation. On the continuation courses, you practise useful everyday expressions through speaking activities, read simple texts and learn more grammar. You also compare the differences between Korean and Finnish languages and cultures and learn about Korean culture, travel destinations and food. Intensive Korean for beginners, level 0 (Korean intensiivialkeet): Thu 18.40–20.40, 21 Jan – 18 Mar 2027, €117. No previous study needed. Intensive Korean for beginners, continuation, A1.1 (Korean intensiivialkeiden jatko): Thu 18.40–20.40, 1 Apr – 27 May 2027, €117. Follows on from the intensive beginners’ course. Korean beginners’ continuation, A1.1 (Korean alkeiden jatko): Thu 17.00–18.30, 14 Jan – 8 Apr 2027, €134. For learners with about one term of Korean or the intensive beginners’ course. Korean 2, A1.2 (Korean jatko 2): Wed 17.00–18.30, 13 Jan – 7 Apr 2027, €134. For learners with about one and a half years of Korean. Korean 3, A1.3 (Korean jatko 3): Tue 18.40–20.10, 12 Jan – 6 Apr 2027, €134. For learners with about two and a half years of Korean. Speak and listen to Korean, A1.2–A1.3 (Puhu ja kuuntele koreaa): Tue 17.00–19.00, 27 Apr – 1 Jun 2027, €89. Phrases and speaking practice for typical travel situations and listening practice with films, series and songs. For learners with two to three years of Korean. Materials are included in the price. At beginner level, the textbook is Baeum. Korean kielen ja kulttuurin oppikirja (Han and Kim). The chapter you start from is given in the course details. Elementary level (A2.1) At elementary level, you deepen your knowledge of Korean language and culture with a textbook written in Korean. You practise visiting a friend, expressing feelings and planning a holiday, for example. Korean 4, A2.1 (Korean jatko 4): Tue 17.00–18.30, 12 Jan – 6 Apr 2027, €134. For learners with about three and a half years of Korean. Textbook: Hi! Korean Student’s Book 2B. Good to know Location: Runeberginkatu 22–24, Helsinki. How to find us. Language of instruction: The courses are taught in Finnish and Korean. Less Korean is used on the beginners’ course, and more at higher levels. Levels: The course levels follow the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (level 0, A1, A2). Finnish national proficiency scale • Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (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 Korean courses taught in English? No. The courses are taught in Finnish and Korean. Can I start Korean from scratch in spring? Yes. Intensive Korean for beginners (level 0) starts in January, and no previous study is needed. It is followed by Intensive Korean for beginners, continuation, which starts in April. Is the Korean writing system difficult to learn? The Hangeul alphabet is systematic, and you start learning it at the beginning of the beginners’ course, building syllables and practising pronunciation. How do I find the right level? Each course lists how much previous study it requires. You can also read about language levels or ask our study guidance for advice. 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 join Speak and listen to Korean during the first two classes. 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. Japanese courses: from a quick start course to elementary level. Chinese courses: Mandarin Chinese from intensive beginners. K-pop for beginners – weekend course (K-pop alkeet viikonloppukurssi): 6–7 February 2027, €39. You dance original choreographies by K-pop artists. More K-pop courses. Korean Tea Culture: Saturdays 22 and 29 May 2027, €59, taught in English. Discover Korean tea etiquette (darye) and ceramics. Korean teacher Heeyoung Han: an interview about why K-pop, drama series and food culture inspire people to learn Korean. Teachers of language courses: meet our teachers. Registration Browse all our Korean courses and register online. Our study guidance can help you choose a course and answer questions about your studies. For more information about our Korean courses, please contact Niina Kerppola, Head of Foreign Languages, at niina.kerppola@helao.fi.
