Reconnect with your Finnish roots with Finnish language classes

Language is a powerful glue: it ties us to different traditions and ways of living. We want to understand and be understood; we are born to connect and belong.

However, keeping a language alive is not always easy - especially without having people around with whom to practice actively.

This is why we are so proud of our Finnish language studies for adults: we are creating a space for people to learn, have conversations, and reconnect with themselves - and their roots.

People celebrating *juhannus* at the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival

For many of us with Finnish roots living in North America, a connection to Finland and the Finnish way of living runs deep in our veins. We feel proud when Finland is mentioned in the news. We hold tight to those old traditional Finnish recipes from our great-grandparents. We are planning trips to visit our relatives in Finland - maybe even for the first time. We feel proud to keep the traditions alive and be part of a group of people and a story.

Keeping a language alive is (unfortunately) a tricky subject. Anyone who has once known a language and stopped actively speaking it knows how that knowledge can be lost in what feels like a quick second. You speak Finnish with your friends and family, but without active conversation partners and reoccurring practice, you forget all those special expressions in Finnish you once loved. Soon, you can start feeling less confident speaking Finnish and shifting to English becomes too convenient. You love the language, but your Finnish communication toolbox seems to shrink and shrink without active usage.

This is why we feel proud of our Finnish language studies for adults: we are helping people to reconnect with their family stories, gain a new understanding of their Finnish roots and nourish a sense of belonging - in your own terms. Yes, we have many learners in FinnFun without Finnish roots who are interested in Finnish culture and want to learn Finnish to learn a new language. But for many of our adult students, Finnish language studies are a way to connect to something that can be hard to even put into words.

Finnish traditions at the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival. Did you know that in the olden days maidens collected flowers under their pillows before going to sleep so that they would see their future spouse in their dreams?

Finnish Language Studies for 2024-2025

For the 2024-2025 school year, we are happy to tell you that we have four different groups for Finnish language studies! From beginner to advanced, we will offer you a place to gain new language skills and practice with other like-minded people. Our teachers are native Finnish speakers with ample experience in language studies, helping you on your journey.

The Fall semester starts on September 4th. Welcome on board!

Learning a new language is not always easy - but we believe it can be fun!

Beginner Course

If you’re just starting on your Finnish language journey, the Beginner Course is perfect for you. Classes are held in person on Wednesdays from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Scandinavia Centre in Burnaby. The course runs from September 11, 2024, to May 2025, comprising 27 lessons taught by Anna Turunen. The total cost is 540 CAD, which can be paid in two instalments.

Key Details:

Start Date: September 11, 2024
Schedule: Wednesdays, 6 PM - 8 PM
Location: Online (Zoom)
Cost: 540 CAD (20 CAD per class)
Instructor: Anna Turunen

If you are interested but cannot attend in person, contact FinnFun as they might offer group, semi-private, or private lessons depending on interest. For more information, email info.finnfun@gmail.com.

Beginner + Lessons (Group A)

This course is ideal for those with a basic understanding of Finnish or who have completed the Beginner Course. It focuses on reinforcing fundamental skills, expanding vocabulary, learning grammar, and practising speaking, listening, and writing. The course uses the "Suomen Mestari 1" book, and classes are conducted online via Zoom.

Key Details:

Start Date: September 3, 2024
Schedule: Wednesdays, 7 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Online (Zoom)
Cost: 240 CAD (20 CAD per lesson) plus the cost of the book
Instructor: Tanja Sabell

The fall semester includes 12 lessons. For further details, email info.finnfun@gmail.com.

Intermediate Lessons (Group B)

For students with a few years of Finnish study or equivalent experience, the Intermediate Lessons delve deeper into grammar, vocabulary, and practical language skills. Using the "Suomen Mestari 2" book, these lessons aim to enhance listening comprehension, speaking, and writing abilities. Classes are also online via Zoom.

Key Details:

Start Date: September 4, 2024
Schedule: Wednesdays, 5 PM - 6:30 PM
Location: Online (Zoom)
Cost: 240 CAD (20 CAD per lesson) plus the cost of the book
Instructor: Tanja Sabell

The fall semester includes 12 lessons. For more information, email info.finnfun@gmail.com.

Advanced Lessons (Group C)

Designed for those with strong Finnish language skills, the Advanced Lessons focus on advanced grammar and vocabulary and enhance speaking and listening comprehension. Using the "Suomen Mestari 3" book, these classes are conducted mostly in Finnish and are available online via Zoom.

Key Details:

Start Date: September 9, 2024
Schedule: Mondays, 7 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Online (Zoom)
Cost: 200 CAD (20 CAD per lesson) plus the cost of the book
Instructor: Tanja Sabell

The fall semester includes 10 lessons. For additional details, email info.finnfun@gmail.com.

FinnFun Offers Finnish Language Classes in Vancouver - and Across North America

The FinnFun Finnish School of Vancouver is based in Burnaby. However, we offer Finnish language studies for people across North America. We have people joining our classes from both Canada and the United States, as our classes are both in-person and online.

Start your journey today and REGISTER FROM HERE

Have you started thinking of Finnish language classes only recently? Maybe you feel unsure about your schedule and how much work Finnish language classes would take?

Please email us and let’s have a talk - we would be happy to answer your questions and to see if we would be a good fit for you and your needs!