Finnish language study opportunities for international staff and visiting researchers
When you work at the University of Turku, you have a wide range of high-quality opportunities to learn Finnish!
The University of Turku encourages international staff to learn Finnish. Studying Finnish can expand your job opportunities and facilitate your integration into Finland. When you study Finnish at the University of Turku, you will also learn interesting aspects of local culture and society.
Finnish language studies can be included in your annual working hours. For example, it is a good idea to discuss with your supervisor how you can develop your Finnish language skills during your annual development interview.
You can start your Finnish language studies with Finnish courses tailored for Staff (in blue color in the study path picture below). See the Study Guide for more information on Language and Communication Courses for Staff Members. Enrollments to the courses are done in Konsta (login required). University of Turku scholarship holders and visiting researchers are also welcome to attend the staff courses. Finnish courses are a great opportunity to network beyond your own department at the University of Turku!
After the Staff Courses, you can continue your Finnish studies with a free of charge, non-degree study right at the Centre for Language and Communication Studies up to B1 level. A non-degree study right is granted if teaching and space resources allow.
After these courses, you can continue your studies in the Finnish language and culture minor (for non-native speakers). The Finnish language and culture studies offer courses on Finnish grammar and language structure, language variation, the practical use of Finnish, and academic writing. Our courses also provide insight into Finnish culture and society. You can choose to complete study modules of basic or intermediate studies, or participate in individual courses.
You can also get support for your language studies from SIMHE services. The University of Turku's SIMHE services offer educational and career guidance for immigrants in higher education and work-related issues. SIMHE services also include small group and individual Finnish language tuition, as well as job application and language examination coaching in Finnish.
You can test your Finnish language level with a proficiency test on the Kielibuusti website. You can also read more about the proficiency levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages CEFR on the Kielibuusti website.
When you are a student at the University of Turku, you can also book an appointment with a Finnish language teacher using Asio, or with a SIMHE contact person using Asio and plan your Finnish study path with a Finnish teacher or counsellor. SIMHE guidance is also available for highly educated spouses and those eligible for higher education.
The Finnish language teachers also provide guidance every Wednesday in the Finnish Drop-In. The Finnish Drop-In is available on Wednesdays (weeks 34-50 in autumn 2024, but not on week 42) from 1 to 2 PM in the lobby of the Centre of Language and Communication Studies on the second floor of Agora. You can come without an appointment or send your questions in advance to finnishkievi@utu.fi.
Also, check out below also the free time Finnish language opportunities offered by the University of Turku and the City of Turku! Maybe you want to practice Finnish in a language circle or with a tandem partner?
Finnish language study opportunities at the University of Turku for Staff Members
Free time opportunities for studying Finnish language at University of Turku and in the City of Turku
In tandem studies, you will be paired with a native Finnish speaker. Read more about the Language and Culture Tandem in the study guide.
Language Circles provides an opportunity to get to know international students and staff at the University of Turku, as well as new languages and cultures. The introductory meetings for new language groups are always held at the beginning of the semesters in September and January. You can find more information on the Moodle page of Language Circles (login required).
Submit an informal application on the Language Partners Moodle page and find yourself a language partner for studying Finnish (or another language)!
The City of Turku has an International Friendship Programme through which you can meet a new local friend. New applications are accepted at the beginning of the semesters in December-January and August-September.