Home Courses Languages Finnish Courses Finnish Courses Our Finnish language courses are open to everyone who are keen to learn Finnish. Courses are held during daytime, evenings and weekends. They are held 1 to 5 times a week. You can register for the courses throughout the year. 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In spring 2027 we offer more than 50 courses: daytime and evening beginners’ courses, courses based on the Suomen mestari textbook series, speaking courses, self-study online courses, YKI test preparation and intermediate and writing courses. Most courses are held at our building in Töölö (Runeberginkatu 22–24), and some are taught on Zoom or online. Teaching is in Finnish, and on many courses English can be used as a supporting language. The courses start from January 2027 and cost €76–263. Courses Frequently asked questions Registration Which course is right for you? If you want to…Explorestart Finnish from scratch during the dayHappy Finnish Elementary, Suomen mestari 1Astart Finnish from scratch in the eveningSuomen mestari 1Bcontinue after the Suomen mestari 1 textbookSuomen mestari 2study online from homeSuomen mestari 3 online, Fluent Finnish onlinepractise speaking in particularFluent Finnish online, Speak, listen and learn Finnish vocabularystudy at your own pace onlineSelf-study online coursesprepare for the YKI testYKI test preparationimprove your Finnish for working lifeBoldly in Finnish in everyday life and work, Writing course 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. Classroom courses are held at Runeberginkatu 22–24. In a course series each part is a separate course, and you can register for one or more parts. The Finnish course name is shown in brackets. Beginner level (level 0–A1.3) At beginner level you learn everyday vocabulary and practise conversation on topics such as getting to know people, family, housing, travel, food and work. You also learn the basics of grammar, such as verb conjugation and cases. The courses are for complete beginners, and you can continue in the same series throughout the spring. Happy Finnish Elementary (Suomen alkeet iloisesti): Mon, Wed and Thu 13.30–16.00, Johanna Hirvensalo. A communicative course where you speak Finnish from the very first lesson. Teaching is in Finnish, and materials are included in the price. Part 1 (0–A1.1), 25 Jan – 18 Feb 2027, €226 • Part 2 (A1.1), 1 Mar – 1 Apr 2027, €246 • Part 3 (A1.2), 5 Apr – 13 May 2027, €263 • Part 4 (A1.3), 17 May – 16 Jun 2027, €263. The Finnish National Agency for Education supports participation, and there is a reduced price for people who have moved to Finland, pensioners, people aged 63 and over and the unemployed. Suomen mestari 1A (daytime course): Tue and Thu 9.00–11.30, Katri Vallaste, €152. The textbook is Suomen mestari 1, and English is used as a supporting language when needed. Ch. 1–2 (0–A1.1), 12 Jan – 4 Feb 2027 • Ch. 3–4 (A1.1), 9 Feb – 11 Mar 2027 • Ch. 5–6 (A1.2), 16 Mar – 8 Apr 2027 • Ch. 7–8 (A1.3), 13 Apr – 11 May 2027 • Ch. 8–9 revision course (A1.3+), 13 May – 3 Jun 2027, €133 Suomen mestari 1B (evening course): Mon and Wed 18.00–20.30, Heidi Heinilä, €152. The textbook is Suomen mestari 1, and English is used as a supporting language when needed. Ch. 1–3 (0–A1.1), 18 Jan – 10 Feb 2027 • Ch. 4–6 (A1.1), 15 Feb – 17 Mar 2027 • Ch. 6–7 (A1.2), 22 Mar – 19 Apr 2027 • Ch. 8–9 (A1.3), 26 Apr – 19 May 2027 Elementary level (A1.3–A2.2) At elementary level you expand your vocabulary and grammar and practise speaking in a wider range of situations, such as running errands, health matters and working life. Suomen mestari 2 (daytime course): Mon, Wed and Fri 9.00–11.30, Katri Vallaste, €171. For learners who have completed the Suomen mestari 1 textbook or have similar knowledge. English is used as a supporting language when needed. Ch. 1–2 (A1.3), 11–29 Jan 2027 • Ch. 3–4 (A1.3+), 1–19 Feb 2027 • Ch. 5–6 (A2.1), 1–19 Mar 2027 • Ch. 7–8 (A2.1), 19 Apr – 7 May 2027 • Revision course (A2.1), 10–28 May 2027 Suomen mestari 3 online: Mon and Wed 18.00–19.30 on Zoom, Irina Kotciuba, €89 (Ammattiliitto Pro members €44.50). You revise structures and vocabulary that learners often find difficult. Russian and English are used as supporting languages. Ch. 1–3 (A2), 11 Jan – 3 Feb 2027 • Ch. 4–6 (A2), 8 Feb – 8 Mar 2027 • Ch. 7–8 (A2), 15 Mar – 7 Apr 2027 Fluent Finnish online (Sujuvaa suomea etänä): Thu 17.00–19.30 on Zoom, Mika Kesämaa, €115 (Ammattiliitto Pro members €57.50). A speaking course for learners who already know some Finnish but still find speaking difficult. English is used as a supporting language when needed. Part 1 (A2), 28 Jan – 4 Mar 2027 • Part 2 (A2.1–A2.2), 11 Mar – 15 Apr 2027 Boldly in Finnish in everyday life and work, A2.1 (Rohkeasti suomeksi arjessa ja työssä): Mon–Thu 10.00–14.30, 18 Jan – 5 May 2027, Teijo Toivola-Tengén, free of charge. The training includes Finnish studies, guidance on job seeking and further studies, YKI practice and a work placement on 22 Mar – 22 Apr 2027. It is intended for women who have moved to Finland and are not eligible for an integration plan. Your Finnish should be at least at level A2.1. The training is funded by the Finnish National Agency for Education, and those selected receive an invitation about a week before the start. Self-study online courses The online courses have no classes. You do the exercises independently at your own pace, and the teacher answers your questions once a week. The courses are entirely in plain Finnish (selkosuomi), and materials are included in the price. Finnish Grammar 1 online course, A2.1–A2.2 (Suomen kielioppi 1 -verkkokurssi): Satu Honka, €97 (Ammattiliitto Pro members €48.50). You revise elementary grammar for about four hours a week for six weeks. Suitable if you have studied the Suomen mestari 1–2 textbooks, for example. A: 18 Jan – 28 Feb 2027 • B: 19 Apr – 30 May 2027 Deepen your vocabulary! online course, A2–B1 (Syvennä sanastoa! -verkkokurssi): Jarna-Maija Malka, €128 (Ammattiliitto Pro members €64). Vocabulary on housing, running errands, health, culture, nature and working life, for example, over eight weeks. A: 18 Jan – 14 Mar 2027 • B: 23 Mar – 16 May 2027 Finnish Grammar 2 online course, B1–B2 (Suomen kielioppi 2 -verkkokurssi): Satu Honka, €97 (Ammattiliitto Pro members €48.50). Suitable if you have studied the Suomen mestari 3 textbook, for example. A: 18 Jan – 28 Feb 2027 • B: 19 Apr – 30 May 2027 YKI test preparation (A2–B1) On the YKI courses you practise the task types of the intermediate-level National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) test: speaking, writing, listening and reading comprehension. You get feedback on your Finnish and tips on how to improve it. The courses also suit you if you simply want to improve your Finnish. The course fee does not include the YKI test fee. All courses are taught in Finnish by Teijo Toivola-Tengén. YKI test weekend course, A2.2 (YKI-testi viikonloppukurssi): Fri 17.00–20.15 and Sat 10.00–15.15 over two weekends. You try all parts of the test and get feedback. A: 29 Jan – 6 Feb 2027, €102 • B: 26 Feb – 6 Mar 2027, €102 • C: 19 Mar – 3 Apr 2027, €126 • D: 21–29 May 2027, €102 Finnish for the YKI test and life, A2–B1 (Suomea YKI-testiin ja elämään): evening course 17.30–20.00. Your Finnish should be at least at level A2.2. A: Tue, Thu and Fri 7–14 Jan 2027, €76 • B: Thu 21 Jan – 11 Feb 2027, €76 • C: Mon 15 Feb – 8 Mar 2027, €76 • D: Thu 11 Mar – 8 Apr 2027, €95 • E: Mon 12 Apr – 10 May 2027, €95 • F: Mon and Thu 13–31 May 2027, €76 YKI training, A2–B1 (YKI-treenit): intensive course Mon–Fri 9.30–12.00. You can choose whether to focus more on speaking or writing. January: 7–15 Jan 2027, €133 • April: 30 Mar – 9 Apr 2027, €171 • May: 17–28 May 2027, €189 • June: 3–11 Jun 2027, €133 Read more about the YKI test at Helsingin aikuisopisto, instructions and exercises for the YKI test and tips for taking the YKI test. Intermediate and advanced level (B1–C1) At intermediate level you practise conversation on many topics, study more challenging grammar and read a variety of texts. At advanced level you develop your writing. Intermediate Finnish, B1–B2 (Keskitason suomea): Wed 17.00–19.30, Satu-Maria Honka, €171. Suitable if you have studied the Suomen mestari 3 textbook, want to revise intermediate Finnish for a test or want to move towards upper intermediate level. Materials are included in the price. Part 1: 13 Jan – 17 Mar 2027 • Part 2: 14 Apr – 9 Jun 2027 Speak, listen and learn Finnish vocabulary, B1–B2 (Puhu, kuuntele ja opi suomen sanastoa): Tue 17.30–20.00, Teijo Toivola-Tengén. You speak, listen and expand your vocabulary on topics chosen together at the start of the course. A: 19 Jan – 9 Feb 2027, €76 • B: 16 Feb – 9 Mar 2027, €76 • C: 16 Mar – 13 Apr 2027, €95 • D: 11 May – 1 Jun 2027, €76 Writing course, C1 (Kirjoituskurssi): Sat 10.00–12.30, 17 Apr – 29 May 2027, Satu Honka, €115. You practise different text types and the norms of standard written Finnish, and the teacher gives feedback on the texts you write at home. For advanced learners who write Finnish at work or as a hobby. Materials are included in the price. Studying on Zoom Suomen mestari 3 online and Fluent Finnish online are taught on Zoom. You receive the links before the course starts. In addition to an internet connection, you need speakers or headphones and a microphone. Zoom guide for students. Studying with unemployment benefit If you are unemployed, you can usually study Finnish on our courses while receiving unemployment benefit, as our courses are generally part-time studies. Full-time studies are studies that amount on average to at least 25 hours a week or at least 5 credits or 4.5 competence points per month of study. Our courses usually fall below this. Full-time study with unemployment benefit is possible if the employment authority considers that you need training and that the studies will significantly improve your chances of finding work. The studies must usually be agreed in your employment plan before you start. If you are unsure, ask your employment services officer before the course starts. You pay the course fee yourself. Good to know Location: Runeberginkatu 22–24, Helsinki. Some courses are on Zoom or online. How to find us. Language of instruction: Teaching is in Finnish. On many beginner and elementary courses English can be used as a supporting language when needed, and on the Suomen mestari 3 courses also Russian. The supporting language is shown in the course details. Levels: The course levels follow the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (level 0–C1). Language proficiency scale • Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Textbooks: On the Suomen mestari courses textbooks are not included in the course fee. Buy the book only once the course has started, as you can come to the first class without it. Many other courses use the teacher’s materials, which are included in the price. Discounts: Members of Ammattiliitto Pro pay half price on some courses (benefits for Pro members). Happy Finnish Elementary has a reduced price for people who have moved to Finland, pensioners, people aged 63 and over and the unemployed. Choose the correct price when you register. 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 Finnish courses taught in English? Teaching is in Finnish. On many beginner and elementary courses English can be used as a supporting language when needed, so you can start even if you do not know any Finnish. Can I start Finnish from scratch? Yes. There are beginners’ courses both during the day (Happy Finnish Elementary and Suomen mestari 1A) and in the evening (Suomen mestari 1B). No previous study is needed. How do I find the right level? Each course lists its level and the textbook or chapters it continues from. You can also read about language levels or ask our study guidance for advice. Are there free Finnish courses in Helsinki? Boldly in Finnish in everyday life and work (A2.1, 18 Jan – 5 May 2027) is free of charge. It is intended for women who have moved to Finland and are not eligible for an integration plan, and it is funded by the Finnish National Agency for Education. Our other courses are subject to a fee. How do I prepare for the YKI test? Choose the YKI test weekend course (A2.2), the evening course Finnish for the YKI test and life (A2–B1) or the morning YKI training (A2–B1). See also our instructions and exercises for the YKI test and tips for taking the YKI test. Does the YKI course fee include the YKI test? No. You register for the YKI test separately, and the Finnish National Agency for Education is responsible for the test fees and registration. Registering for the YKI test (oph.fi) 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 Finnish courses cost €76–263. Members of Ammattiliitto Pro pay half price on some courses, and Happy Finnish Elementary has a reduced price for people who have moved to Finland, pensioners, people aged 63 and over and the unemployed. 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. Can I study Finnish while receiving unemployment benefit? Usually yes, as our courses are generally part-time studies. If you are unsure, ask your employment services officer before the course starts. Read more. See also Language courses: all the languages we teach. YKI test: National Certificates of Language Proficiency at Helsingin aikuisopisto. Courses taught in English: all our courses taught in English. Instructions and exercises for the YKI test: practise the task types. Going to take the YKI test? Check your Finnish level and get tips. Study languages from home: how our online language classes on Zoom work. Estonian courses: a close relative of Finnish. Teachers of our language courses: meet our teachers. Registration Browse all our Finnish courses and register online. Our study guidance can help you choose a course and answer questions about your studies. For more information about our Finnish courses, please contact Nuppu Tuononen, Head of Finnish Language, Writing and Open University Studies, at nuppu.tuononen@helao.fi.
