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The Finnish language is one of the keys to understanding and enjoying Finnish culture and society, and can open many doors to international students wanting to explore the Finnish job market during and after their studies.

Here you can find information about all the Finnish language courses available at the university, how to figure out your level, and some other useful links and resources.

One of the key factors to advance in your language learning is figuring out your level so that you can find the best courses and tools for you. The target level of the courses offered by the university, and many other courses and materials you find online, are labeled using the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ( also known as CEFR), which organises language proficiency in six levels: A1 to C2.

These are the six levels as described by the <a href="https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/table-1-cefr-3.3-common-reference-levels-global-scale">Council of Europe</a>.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
			A1
			</td>
			<td>
			Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			A2
			</td>
			<td>
			Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.  Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			B1
			</td>
			<td>
			Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken.  Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes &amp; ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			B2
			</td>
			<td>
			Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			C1
			</td>
			<td>
			Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			C2
			</td>
			<td>
			Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

Download a detailed <a href="https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/table-2-cefr-3.3-common-reference-levels-self-assessment-grid">self-assessment grid</a> from the Council of Europe's website.

When selecting a university course, pay attention to your level and the label of the courses. The level label of each course corresponds to the target level, that is, not the level you need to have to take the course, but the level you would achieve after completing the course. Here are a few examples to help you select your course.

Example 1. You have just arrived in Finland, your Finnish vocabulary is limited to a few phrases such as hello and thank you, but have not taken any Finnish language course yet. In this case, the course Finnish 1, which is labeled A1.1 would be the best choice for you.

Example 2. You have taken a Finnish course for a couple of hours a week and tried some self-study at home. After self-assessing your level with the grid, you think your level is A1. In this case, you could either take the Finnish 2 course, which is labeled A1.3, to review some of the things you already know and strengthen your memory or you could challenge yourself just a little bit and take the Finnish 3 course labeled A2.1

Example 3. You have taken a few Finnish language courses and have evaluated your level to be B1, maybe even starting to be a B2. In this case, you can try to think of your goals and needs, since we offer some specialized courses such as Finnish for working life (B1) or Communication in Finnish 1 and 2.

You can see the university's Finnish language courses in the next section of this page. If you are unsure, you can always contact our teachers at kielikeskus.tau [at] tuni.fi (kielikeskus[dot]tau[at]tuni[dot]fi) and they will help you figure out the best courses for you.

Have you completed a Finnish language course at the university before August 2021? Click <a href="https://intra.tuni.fi/en/content/news/29341">here </a>to see the old and new course equivalences.

Your level and how to select a course

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<h2> </h2>

<h2>Courses offered by the Language Centre, CEFR levels A1 - B2</h2>

The Language Center of Tampere University offers several courses in levels ranging from absolute beginner to advanced. These courses' target levels are described in parenthesis using the CEFR. If after using the self-assessment grid and reading information on the courses, you are still unsure about what course to take, you can always contact our Finnish language teachers and they will help you figure it out (kielikeskus.tau [at] tuni.fi (kielikeskus[dot]tau[at]tuni[dot]fi)).

Click on each course below to find more information, such as teaching periods, learning outcomes, and responsible teachers.

<a class="sc-bdVaJa sc-1t7n2sp-2 laxuH" href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/uta-ykoodi-26621?year=2023">Finnish 1 (A1)</a>, 3 ects - also available as a self-study course

<a class="sc-bdVaJa sc-1t7n2sp-2 laxuH" href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/uta-ykoodi-26622?year=2023">Finnish 2 (A1)</a>, 2 ects - also available as a self-study course

<a class="sc-bdVaJa sc-1t7n2sp-2 laxuH" href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/uta-ykoodi-26645?year=2023">Finnish 3 (A2)</a>, 3 ects

<a class="sc-bdVaJa sc-1t7n2sp-2 laxuH" href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/otm-cc0d8fea-a96d-4c81-a3b6-9435c6d57362?year=2023">Finnish 4 (A2)</a>, 2 ects

<a class="sc-bdVaJa sc-1t7n2sp-2 laxuH" href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/otm-05bc8cb9-4bbc-4170-aa3b-0625e3a57914?year=2023">Finnish 5 (A2)</a>, 3 ects

<a class="sc-bdVaJa sc-1t7n2sp-2 laxuH" href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/otm-80761576-e7be-44a0-946a-3f98a65b5f83?year=2023">Finnish 6 (A2)</a>, 2 ects

<a class="sc-bdVaJa sc-1t7n2sp-2 laxuH" href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/otm-d3e47ff5-e993-41de-a517-7cb3a24dfbdf?year=2023">Finnish 7 (B1)</a>, 3 ects

<a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/otm-7db34e86-6aad-45a1-aabf-b9bb5e3fff23?year=2023">Finnish 8 (B1)</a>, 2 ects

<a class="sc-bdVaJa sc-1t7n2sp-2 laxuH" href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/otm-87ffdfda-0e92-4713-8a27-10a8d83f0f42?year=2023">Communication in Finnish 1 (B1)</a>, 2 ects

<a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/otm-ef140528-2f26-4f3c-bd06-f706918791ab?year=2023">Finnish for Working Life (B1)</a>, 2 cr

<a class="sc-bdVaJa sc-1t7n2sp-2 laxuH" href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/otm-4004dc8b-278f-4756-a956-8c7cbccd9f54?year=2023">Communication in Finnish 2 (B2)</a>, 2 ects

<h2>Courses offered in the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, CEFR level B2.1-B2.2</h2>

For advanced language learners (B2.1), the <a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/modules/otm-1d6637fa-df93-4826-9d2c-3bb7ec7b2cbd?year=2023">study module SUKK</a> (30-35 ects) includes 9 different courses on grammar, Finnish culture and society, and advanced pronunciation, among others. After completing the study module, your level will be a strong B2.2.

University courses

<h3>Websites and Finnish courses' providers in Tampere</h3>

Tampere City mantains this <a href="https://internationalhouse.tampere.fi/en/news/learning-finnish/">list of websites</a> where you can search for courses and places for studying Finnish in the Tampere city region.

<h3>Other Finnish language courses</h3>

Outside the University courses, several educational organisations offer Finnish language courses. InfoFinland, maintained by the City of Helsinki, has put together a catalogue of Finnish courses offered in several cities, including Tampere. You can explore the catalogue <a href="https://finnishcourses.fi/">here</a>. You can also check InfoFinland's website and read more about the Finnish and Swedish languages in Tampere <a href="https://www.infofinland.fi/en/tampere/finnish-and-swedish-language-in-tampere">here</a>.

<h3>Self-study material</h3>

<a href="https://www.kielibuusti.fi/en/learn-finnish">Kielibuusti - Language boost</a>. Here you can find advice and materials on anything related to learning Finnish. The site includes self-study materials, tips for language learning, tools for planning language learning, information on language tests, and inpiring stories of Finnish language learners.

<a href="https://kotisuomessa.fi/web/site-155213/state-jurdkmbrei/front-page">Kotisuomessa.</a> This is a website with interactive study materials for different levels. The material includes vacabulary and phrases&nbsp;in societal topics, politics, everyday matters, and different professional fields, among others. This material was put together by the Board of Education and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland.

<h3>Finnish language certification</h3>

The Finnish government's language test system, also known as YKI tests, is a great way to get official certificates of your Finnish language proficiency. You can use the certificates for example, when applying for a job or study place, or when applying for Finnish citizenship. You can read more about the YKI tests <a href="https://www.oph.fi/en/national-certificates-language-proficiency-yki">here</a>.

<h3>Interesting reads</h3>

The Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC) has published a blog article about the Finnish language skills needs of university students. Read the article <a href="https://www.tuni.fi/tlc/en/korkeakouluopiskelijan-suomen-kielen-taitotarpeet-ja-niiden-huomiointi-2/">here </a>(only in Finnish).

Studying Finnish

OpenYour level and how to select a course

OpenUniversity courses

OpenOther online resources