Finnish for International Students

DURING THE AUTUMN SEMESTER of 2023 Finnish courses for exchange students will be organized at three campuses (City Center, Kumpula, and Viikki) as well as through online Zoom classes:

SUO-113 Finnish for Exchange Students, short course (3 credits, lessons once a week, Autumn 1st + 2nd period)

SUO-113 Groups in Autumn 2023:

Group A: CITY CENTER Friday 8–10. Teacher: Heidi Niva (heidi.niva[at]helsinki.fi). > THIS GROUP IS CANCELLED

Group B: CITY CENTER Tuesday 16–18. Teacher: Emilia Harjunpää (emilia.harjunpaa[at]helsinki.fi). Course page here

Group C: KUMPULA Tuesday 8–10. Teacher: Veera Hatakka (veera.hatakka[at]helsinki.fi). Course page here

Group D: ONLINE Thursday 16–18. Teacher: Petri Ukskoski (petri.ukskoski[at]helsinki.fi). Course page here

Group E: CITY CENTER  Monday 12–14. Teacher: Veera Hatakka (veera.hatakka[at]helsinki.fi). Course page here

SUO-114 Finnish for Exchange Students 1 (5 credits, lessons twice a week, Autumn 1st + 2nd per. / Spring 1st + 2nd per.)

SUO-114 Groups in Autumn 2023:

Group A: CITY CENTER Monday & Wednesday 16–18. Teacher: Nina Sudenkallio (nina.sudenkallio[at]helsinki.fi). Course page here

Group B: VIIKKI Tuesday & Thursday 16–18. Teacher: Ralitsa Petrunova (ralitsa.petrunova[at]helsinki.fi). Course page here

SUO-402 Introduction to Finnish Literature (5 credits, lessons once a week, Autumn 1st + 2nd per. Teacher: Sarianna Kankkunen, sarianna.kankkunen[at]helsinki.fi) Course page here

DURING THE SPRING SEMESTER of 2024 Finnish courses for exchange students will be organized at two campuses (City Center & Kumpula):

SUO-113 Finnish for Exchange Students, short course (3 credits, lessons once a week, Spring 1st + 2nd per.)

SUO-114 Finnish for Exchange Students 1 (5 credits, lessons twice a week, Spring 1st + 2nd per.)

SUO-124 Finnish for Exchange Students 2 (5 credits, lessons twice a week, Spring 1st + 2nd per.)

SUO-113 Finnish for Exchange Students, short course and SUO-114 Finnish for Exchange Students 1 are beginner courses, so you don't need to know any Finnish when you start the course. In mid-January, two SUO-113 groups and two SUO-114 groups will start.

SUO-124 Finnish for Exchange Students 2 is a continuation course. You can participate in the SUO-124 course if you have completed the SUO-114 course or have a basic understanding of the Finnish language (language skills approximately at level A1.2).

If you have studied Finnish before, you can also participate in the intermediate and advanced Finnish courses for degree students (such as Finnish 3 or Finnish 4) if there is space available in the groups.

All courses require registration in Sisu system. Registration for SUO-113, SUO-114 & SUO-124 courses starts at the beginning of January 2024. If you miss the registration, you can inquire with the course teacher if there is still space available in the course.

The easiest way to find the courses is by searching for their course code (e.g., SUO-113) in Sisu. By clicking on the 'Completion methods' section in the course description on Sisu, you can access the course details.

NB. here you can find some additional instructions on how to register on the courses in Sisu!

Nice to know: You can also check out the ALICE courses (Academic Language and Intercultural Exchange courses) organised by the Language Center.

For more information about the Finnish courses, please contact teachers of the courses or the university instructor / course co-ordinator Tanja Asikainen-Kunnari (tanja.asikainen[at]helsinki.fi).

The courses listed below are specifically designed for degree students at the University of Helsinki. Exchange students can participate in the courses if there is space available. Please note that the courses involve a lot of independent work and group work.

ACADEMIC YEAR 2023-2024

Finnish language courses for the academic year 2023-2024 will be offered through face-to-face instruction on campus (city center, Kumpula, Viikki) or as online courses via Zoom.

You can register for the courses in the Sisu system. Registration for the spring semester 2024 courses begins in November 28th 2023. (An exception to this are the Finnish 1B and 2B courses, which start in the second period of the spring. Their registration begins in mid-February 2024). If you miss the registration deadline, you can inquire with the course teacher whether there is still space available.

N.B. here you can find some additional instructions on how to register on the courses in Sisu!

Autumn semester 2023 courses

The links below will open the study unit homepage in Sisu. When you click on the "Completion Methods" section in Sisu, you will be able to see the details of the courses offered.

SUO-111 Finnish/Suomi 1A (3 credits, lessons twice a week, Autumn 1st per.) OLD CODE FINN-111

SUO-111, Group 1: CITY CENTER Tuesday and Thursday 8–10. Teacher: Paula Hongisto (paula.hongisto[at]helsinki.fi). Course page here

SUO-111, Group 2: ONLINE Monday and Wednesday 8–10. Teacher: Tiina Nahkola (tiina.nahkola[at]helsinki.fi). Course page here

SUO-111, Group 3: VIIKKI Tuesday and Thursday 8–10. Teacher: Emilia Harjunpää (emilia.harjunpaa[at]helsinki.fi). Course page here

SUO-111, Group 4: KUMPULA Monday and Wednesday 8–10. Teacher: Veera Hatakka (veera.hatakka[at]helsinki.fi). Course page here

SUO-111, Group 5: KUMPULA Monday and Thursday 8–10. Teacher: Leena Ferreira (leena.ferreira[at]helsinki.fi). Course page here

SUO-112 Finnish/Suomi 1B (2 credits, lessons twice a week, Autumn 2nd per.) OLD CODE FINN-112

SUO-112, Group 1: CITY CENTER Tuesday and Thursday 8–10. Teacher: Paula Hongisto (paula.hongisto[at]helsinki.fi). Course page here

SUO-112, Group 2: ONLINE Monday and Wednesday 8–10. Teacher: Tiina Nahkola (tiina.nahkola[at]helsinki.fi). Course page here

SUO-112, Group 3: VIIKKI Tuesday and Thursday 8–10. Teacher: Emilia Harjunpää (emilia.harjunpaa[at]helsinki.fi). Course page here

SUO-112, Group 4: KUMPULA Monday and Wednesday 8–10. Teacher: Veera Hatakka (veera.hatakka[at]helsinki.fi). Course page here

SUO-112, Group 5: KUMPULA Monday and Thursday 8–10. Teacher: Leena Ferreira (leena.ferreira[at]helsinki.fi). Course page here

SUO-115 Intensive Course in Finnish 1/ Suomea intensiivisesti 1 (Finnish 1A + 1B + 2A, 8 credits, lessons three times a week, Autumn 1st and 2nd per. Teacher: Saija Pyhäniemi, saija.pyhaniemi[at]helsinki.fi, Course page here) OLD CODE FINN-115

SUO-121 Finnish/Suomi 2A (3 credits, lessons twice a week, Autumn 1st per.) OLD CODE FINN-221

SUO-121, Group 1: CITY CENTER Monday and Wednesday 8–10. Teacher: Paula Hongisto (paula.hongisto[at]helsinki.fi). Course page here

SUO-121, Group 2: ONLINE Tuesday and Thursday 16–18. Teacher: Veera Hatakka (veera.hatakka[at]helsinki.fi). Course page here 

SUO-122 Finnish/Suomi 2B (2 credits, lessons twice a week, Autumn 2nd per.) OLD CODE FINN-222

SUO-122, Group 1: CITY CENTER Monday and Wednesday 8–10. Teacher: Paula Hongisto (paula.hongisto[at]helsinki.fi). Course page here

SUO-122, Group 2: ONLINE Tuesday and Thursday 16–18. Teacher: Veera Hatakka (veera.hatakka[at]helsinki.fi). Course page here

SUO-130 Finnish/Suomi 3 (5 credits, lessons twice a week, Autumn 1st and 2nd per.) OLD CODE FINN-231

SUO-130, Group 1: CITY CENTER Wednesday and Friday 8–10. Teacher: Leena Ferreira (leena.ferreira[at]helsinki.fi). Course page here  

SUO-130, Group 2: ONLINE Tuesday and Thursday 16–18. Teacher: Réka Aarnos (reka.aarnos[at]helsinki.fi). Course page here 

SUO-131 Puhekieli tutuksi / Spoken Finnish (3 credits, lessons once a week, Autumn 1st and 2nd per. Teacher: Verna Pelkonen, verna.pelkonen[at]helsinki.fi, Course page here) OLD CODE FINN-304

SUO-132 Kaunokirjallisuuden lukupiiri / Learn Finnish by reading literature A2 (2 credits, lessons once a week, Autumn 1st and 2nd per. Teacher: Sari Päivärinne, sari.paivarinne[at]helsinki.fi, Course page here)

SUO-140 Finnish/Suomi 4 (5 credits, lessons twice a week, Autumn 1st and 2nd per., Course page here) OLD CODE FINN-241

SUO-141 + SUO-142 Kulttuuria ja ajankohtaisia ilmiöitä 1 / Finnish culture and current topics 1 (3/2/5 credits, lessons twice a week, Autumn 1st and 2nd per. Teacher: Tiina Nahkola, tiina.nahkola[at]helsinki.fi, Course page here) OLD CODE FINN-310

SUO-210 Työelämän suomea / Workplace Finnish (5 credits, lessons twice a week, Autumn 1st and 2nd per. Teacher: Verna Pelkonen, verna.pelkonen[at]helsinki.fi, Course page here) OLD CODE FINN-251

SUO-240 Kulttuuria ja ajankohtaisia ilmiöitä 2 / Finnish culture and current topics 2 (5 credits, lessons twice a week, Autumn 1st and 2nd per. Teacher: Tanja Asikainen-Kunnari, tanja.asikainen[at]helsinki.fi, Course page here) OLD CODE FINN-311

SUO-241 + SUO-242 Kielioppia verkossa / Finnish Grammar Online (3/2/5 credits, independent online studying, Autumn 1st and 2nd per. Teacher: Tiina Nahkola, tiina.nahkola[at]helsinki.fi, Course page here) OLD CODE FINN-303

SUO-311 Kuuntele ja kirjoita 1 / Listen and Write learning method (3 credits, independent studying, teacher: Sari Päivärinne, sari.paivarinne[at]helsinki.fi, Course page here) OLD CODE FINN-302

SUO-312 Kuuntele ja kirjoita 2 / Listen and Write learning method (2 credits, independent studying, teacher: Sari Päivärinne, sari.paivarinne[at]helsinki.fi, Course page here) OLD CODE FINN-301

SUO-402 Introduction to Finnish literature (5 credits, lessons once a week, Autumn 1st and 2nd per., Course page here. NB. Language of teaching in this course is English.)

Spring semester 2024 courses

You can register for the courses in the Sisu system. Registration for the spring semester 2024 courses begins in November 28th 2023. (An exception to this are the Finnish 1B and 2B courses, which start in the second period of the spring. Their registration begins in mid-February 2024). If you miss the registration deadline, you can inquire with the course teacher whether there is still space available.

Most of the courses for the spring semester 2024 are already available on Sisu system, but please note that changes to course information are possible. The links below will open the study unit homepage in Sisu. When you click on the "Completion Methods" section in Sisu, you will be able to see the details of the courses offered.

SUO-111 Finnish/Suomi 1A (3 credits, lessons twice a week, Spring 1st per.) OLD CODE FINN-111

SUO-112 Finnish/Suomi 1B (2 credits, lessons twice a week, Spring 2nd per.) OLD CODE FINN-112

SUO-121 Finnish/Suomi 2A (3 credits, lessons twice a week, Spring 1st per.) OLD CODE FINN-221

SUO-122 Finnish/Suomi 2B (2 credits, lessons twice a week, Spring 2nd per.) OLD CODE FINN-222

SUO-125 Intensive Course in Finnish 2/ Suomea intensiivisesti 2 = Finnish 2B + 3 (7 credits, lessons three times a week, Spring 1st and 2nd per. Teacher: Saija Pyhäniemi, saija.pyhaniemi[at]helsinki.fi, Course page here) OLD CODE FINN-225. 

SUO-130 Finnish/Suomi 3 (5 credits, lessons twice a week, Spring 1st and 2nd per. Teacher: Paula Hongisto, paula.hongisto[at]helsinki.fi, Course page here) OLD CODE FINN-231

SUO-130 Finnish / Suomi 3 (5 credits, intensive course 13.5. - 7.6.2024) OLD CODE FINN-231 NB! This course is part of the KiViTa network's education. Applications for the course are submitted in March (1.3. - 2.4.2024) through Opintopolku. For more information, please check the course page. Teacher: Heikki Kononen, heikki.kononen[at]helsinki.fi

SUO-131 Puhekieli tutuksi / Spoken Finnish (3 credits, lessons once a week, Spring 1st and 2nd per. Teacher: Verna Pelkonen, verna.pelkonen[at]helsinki.fi, Course page here) OLD CODE FINN-304

SUO-140 Finnish/Suomi 4 (5 credits, lessons twice a week, Spring 1st and 2nd per. Teacher: Leena Ferreira, leena.ferreira[at]helsinki.fi, Course page here) OLD CODE FINN-241

SUO-141 + SUO-142 Kulttuuria ja ajankohtaisia ilmiöitä 1 / Finnish culture and current topics 1 (3/2/5 credits, lessons twice a week, Spring 1st and 2nd per. Teacher: Veera Hatakka, veera.hatakka[at]helsinki.fi, Course page here) OLD CODE FINN-310

SUO-210 Työelämän suomea / Workplace Finnish (5 credits, lessons twice a week, Spring 1st and 2nd per. Teacher: Verna Pelkonen, verna.pelkonen[at]helsinki.fi, Course page here) OLD CODE FINN-251

SUO-220 Mediasuomen kurssi / Media Finnish (5 credits, lessons twice a week, Spring 1st and 2nd per. Teacher: Verna Pelkonen, verna.pelkonen[at]helsinki.fi, Course page here)

SUO-240 Kulttuuria ja ajankohtaisia ilmiöitä 2 / Finnish culture and current topics 2 (5 credits, online lessons twice a week, Spring 1st and 2nd per. Teacher: Emilia Harjunpää, emilia.harjunpaa[at]helsinki.fi) Nb! Organized by the KiViTa project. The course information is NOT in Sisu. Information about the course schedule and registration here! (Registration in Opintopolku 11.12.2023-1.1.2024)

SUO-241 + SUO-242 Kielioppia verkossa / Finnish Grammar Online (3/2/5 credits, independent online studying, Spring 1st and 2nd per. Teacher: Tanja Asikainen-Kunnari, tanja.asikainen[at]helsinki.fi) OLD CODE FINN-303. Nb! Organized by the KiViTa project. The course information is NOT in Sisu. Information about the course schedule and registration here! (Registration in Opintopolku 11.12.2023-1.1.2024)

SUO-311 Kuuntele ja kirjoita 1 / Listen and Write learning method (3 credits, independent studying, teacher: Sari Päivärinne, sari.paivarinne[at]helsinki.fi, Course page here) OLD CODE FINN-302

SUO-312 Kuuntele ja kirjoita 2 / Listen and Write learning method (2 credits, independent studying, teacher: Sari Päivärinne, sari.paivarinne[at]helsinki.fi, Course page here) OLD CODE FINN-301

Nice to know: You can also check out the ALICE courses (Academic Language and Intercultural Exchange courses) organised by the Language Center.

For more information about the Finnish courses, please contact the teachers or university instructor / course co-ordinator Tanja Asikainen-Kunnari (tanja.asikainen[at]helsinki.fi). 

Students who already have an advanced level of language proficiency (at least Level B2.1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) can enhance their written or spoken skills in the Finnish language by participating in courses offered in the Finnish Language and Culture study track. Instruction in Finnish Language and Culture is open to all students at the University of Helsinki who have the required language proficiency. Adequate language proficiency can be demonstrated through the Finnish Matriculation Examination in the second language (s2) or the National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) test, or by taking the Finnish Language and Culture proficiency test. Learn more about demonstrating language proficiency and the Finnish Language and Culture studies here.

1. Question: "I don't know any Finnish yet. Can I start studying Finnish directly in the second period of the autumn with the Finnish 1B course?"

Answer: You need to complete the Finnish 1A course first. After that, you can proceed to the 1B course. Following the Finnish 1B course, you can choose the Finnish 2A course, and so on.

2. Question: "I completed the Finnish 2B course last year. Now I want to continue my Finnish studies! Which course can I choose?"

Answer: You can choose one of the following courses: Finnish 3, Spoken Finnish or Learn Finnish by Reading Literature. If you wish, you can even take all of these courses!

3. Question: "I am currently studying on the Finnish 3 course. What can I study next?"

Answer: You can choose one of the following courses: Finnish 4, Spoken Finnish, Learn Finnish by Reading Literature or Finnish Culture and Current Topics 1. If you wish, you can even take all of these courses!

4. Question: "I haven't completed the Finnish 3 course at the University of Helsinki, but I have been studying Finnish independently. I believe my language proficiency is at about level A2. Can I enroll in the Finnish 4 course?"

Answer: The Finnish 4 course is likely a good choice for you. However, it is recommended that you still take the online placement test to get an assessment of your skills. You can also contact the teacher of the Finnish 4 course for guidance.

5. Question: "I completed the Finnish 4 course this year, but I noticed that there are no Finnish 5 courses in the academic year 2023-2024! What should I do?"

Answer: No worries! You can choose any of the following courses: Workplace Finnish, Finnish Culture and Current Topics 2, or the Finnish Grammar Online Course. In the spring of 2024, you can also choose the course called Media Finnish.

6. Question: "I completed the Finnish 5 course this year, but I noticed that there are no Finnish 6 courses in the academic year 2023-2024! Can I continue my Finnish studies?"

Answer: Absolutely! In the autumn of 2023, you can choose the Finnish Culture and Current Topics 2 course or the Finnish Grammar Online Course. In the spring of 2024, you can choose also the Media Finnish.

7. Question: "I have completed the Finnish 1-6 courses. I'm really interested in the Spoken Finnish course. Can I take it this academic year?"

Answer: The Spoken Finnish course is best suited for approximately A2 level, intended for students who have studied Finnish for 10-20 credits. Therefore, this course is likely not the best option for you. You might consider the Finnish Grammar Online Course or the Listen and Write learning method instead. You can contact University instructor Tanja Asikainen-Kunnari (tanja.asikainen[at]helsinki.fi) to discuss different options for developing your Finnish language skills.

8. Question: Who is the "Standard Finnish" course suitable for?

Answer: The course is aimed at students who have a strong foundation in the language but need practice with various formal language structures and producing texts in standard Finnish. The course is suitable, for example, for students who are accustomed to using Finnish orally with family members, relatives, or friends but have had limited experience using Finnish as the language of study.