Boost Your Finnish with Free Learning Resources
Are you looking for free resources to boost your learning of Finnish?
Below you can find tips and materials for each stage of learning. There is also material available to help you practice for the YKI national language test. Choose the level you are on currently and take a look at the material suggested to boost your language learning!
Welcome to start your journey to the Finnish language!
Below you will find lots of tips on how to get started in learning Finnish.
Top tips how to learn a new language according to a Finnish teacher:
- Make language learning part of your everyday life
- Don’t waste time comparing Finnish language features to your mother tongue
- Keep track of your progress
- Use the language
- Know that it is okay to not be ready!
Read the whole article on Finland today's site
Here are some tips for how to get started:
- Watch introductions to Finnish language and Grazy Finnish
- Start learning the basics with help of easy videos
- Introductory Finnish - a self study online course to a lower beginner level
- Download app, for example Duolingo and learn Finnish in 5 minutes a day
- Continue your self-study: A Taste of Finnish - Learn the basics with help of English!
Free online courses
- Aalto open learning: Introductory Finnish - Self-study
- A taste of Finnish (0-A2)
- Venla: Finnish for Foreigners (English) (0-A2)
- Superalkeet - fun and practical way to learn Finnish with videos, interactive exercises and dialogues. Finnish as a teaching language.
- Finnishpod101. Learn Finnish with podcasts.
- Hauska tavata: Learn useful phrases and gain the skills needed for meeting and greeting, introducing oneself etc.
- Koti Suomessa: a huge material to learn communicative Finnish in Finnish. Choose part ”Arkielämä - Koti ja perhe” (level 0-A1).
- Moninet: Material made for immigrants living in Lapland, but there are useful lessons for all.
- Supisuomea: Videos telling about Finnish families and life style (in 90's). First videos 1-4 are quite easy.
Download mobile apps
- Kielibuusti: mobiilisovellukset
- Suomipassi. Fun way to learn phrases and practice pronunciation. Strong recommendation!
- Moving Languages: a lot of vocabulary exercises!
- Duolingo. Learn Finnish in 5 minutes a day with game-like lessons.
Learn Finnish with videos
- Kielibuusti: videot
- Yle: Easy videos about alphabets, numbers and everyday situations.
- Suomi taskussa: Listen and see how to operate in different situations and start practicing.
- Yle Kielikoulu: Watch any TV programmes with subtitles and practice the vocabulary with personalised exercises
Practice speaking!
- Finnish Language cafes and groups (choose Kielikahvilat), also online!
- "Let's learn Finnish Language" Facebook Group
Practice vocabulary!
- Quizlet. Search for example "Suomen Mestari 1" or "No niin" or make your own cards.
Blogs about Finnish grammar in English
Good luck with your Finnish studies! Onnea opiskeluun!
Materials and tips for BEGINNERS (A1) to learn Finnish independently
Have you already made some progress in your Finnish language studies, but you are still at the very beginning? Below you will find lots of material for self-study.
Start by reading the tips from Metropolia's Finnish teachers on how you can make learning the language easier for you on Various Variables blog:
Revise basics and learn more with help of online courses
- Superalkeet
- Taste of Finnish, level 0-A2.1: (English as a teaching language)
- Venla, level 0-A2.2 (English as a teaching language)
- From start to Finnish. Practical, fun and easy book. The audio available for free in Soundcloud.
- Finnishpod101. Learn Finnish online with podcasts
- Kotisuomessa lot of interesting and useful material to learn communicative Finnish, levels 0-B1 => Choose part “JOKAPÄIVÄINEN ELÄMÄ - ASUMINEN/ELÄMÄNTAVAT” (level A1-A2)
- Moninet, level 0-A2.1
- Supisuomea Quite old but fun online material telling about Finnish families and life style. Level A1-B1; videos 1-4 are suitable for A1-level)
- Supisuomea – grammar and exercises
Download Mobile applications and learn vocabulary, phrases and pronunciation
- Suomipassi. Fun way to learn phrases and practice pronunciation. Strong recommendation!
- Moving Languages: a lot of vocabulary exercises!
- Duolingo. Learn Finnish in 5 minutes a day with game-like lessons.
Learn Finnish with videos
- Suomivideo (short and simple video clips)
- Yle: Easy videos will help you to deal with everyday situations, like buying food, telling about your family and introducing yourself
- Gimara: Many kinds of videos for different levels - choose for example part “Ihminen ja lähipiiri”)
- Easy things to watch in Finnish
Learn more about spoken Finnish
- Puhutsä suomee? Puhekielen verkkokurssi. Choose the module 1: Mä ja sä.
- Suomee! Puhekielen verkkokurssi.
Practice speaking
- LanGo. Search for a Finnish language pal. Facebook account needed.You need Facebook account for this. Remember to write your home town!
- Finnish Language cafes and groups, also online!
- "I want to learn Finnish" Facebook Group
Practice vocabulary
- Quizlet (use search to find exercises, write "Suomen mestari 1 kappale 2" etc.; you can also make your own cards)
Learn by reading and listening super easy news
Learn more and practice grammar
- Uusikielemme
- Finnish teacher helps you in the blog
- Nettitehtävät. A collection of online exercises from various sources, choose Taso 1
Learn with music
- Lyricstraining. Listen, write, sing and learn new words!
Good luck with your language studies! Onnea kieliopintoihin!
Materials and tips for BASIC LEVEL (A1-A2) to learn Finnish independently
Have you already learned the basics of Finnish (e.g. Finnish 1-2)? Find free online materials, tips and links to support your learning!
Need to check the level of your Finnish skills? See the CEFR self-assessment grid.
Read the tips from Metropolia's Finnish teachers on how you can make learning the language easier for you on Various Variables blog:
Online courses: revise basics and learn more!
English as a support language:
- A taste of Finnish (0-A2)
- FinnishPod 101 (Finnish language podcast)
- Venla: Finnish for Foreigners (English) (0-A2)
Finnish as a support language:
- Koti Suomessa (=> Choose part “Jokapäiväinen elämä - asuminen/elämäntavat (level A1-A2) or Asiointitilanteita” (level A2)”
- MoniNet (0-A2)
- Osaan suomea (0-A2)
Mobile Applications to support your learning
Learn by watching media content and reading news
- Yle Kielikoulu a service enabling you to study Finnish by watching Yle’s media content in an application or a browser
- Yle Selkouutiset Super easy news
- Selkouutiset News with plain language
- Selkosanomat Newspaper with plain language
Learn Finnish with videos
- Gimara Youtube-channel: Basic Finnish
- Suomi taskussa (how to use Finnish in different everyday life situations)
- Yle: Supisuomea (stories about Finnish families, culture and life style)
- Yle: Asiointisuomea (service situations)
Practice speaking and learn to understand spoken Finnish
- Language cafés, also online
- Tandem. Find Kielikaveri! Check possibility to join Tandem-course and practice Finnish with native speakers
- LanGo. Search for a Finnish language pal. Facebook account needed
- Puhutsä suomee? Puhekielen verkkokurssi (A1-B1)
- Lyricstraining. Learn the language with help of listening and singing the music and writing the lyrics!
Learn Grammar
Start practicing for YKI test
Materials and tips for BASIC LEVEL (A2-B1) to learn Finnish independently
Have you already reached the basic level (A2) (e.g. courses Finnish 1-3)? You are making progress, great work! Below you can find tips and links to jump to the intermediate level!
Need to check the level of your Finnish skills? See the CEFR self-assessment grid.
Read the tips from Metropolia's Finnish teachers on how you can make learning the language easier for you on Various Variables blog:
Revise basics (A1) and learn more (A2) with help of online courses
- Taste of Finnish, level 0-A2.1 (English as a teaching language.)
- Venla, level 0-A2.2. (English as a teaching language.)
- FinnishPod 101 (Finnish language podcast)
- Kotisuomessa a lot of interesting and useful material to learn communicative Finnish, levels 0-B1 => Choose for example part “Asiointitilanteita” (level A2)
- Supisuomea. Quite old but fun online material telling about Finnish families and life style. Level A1-B1
- Check also Supisuomea – grammar and exercises
Learn Finnish with videos
- Yle: Asiointisuomea. Learn what to say in different customer situations. Level A2.1-B2.1.
- Gimara: Many kinds of nice videos for different levels:
Learn to understand spoken Finnish better
- Puhutsä suomee? Puhekielen verkkokurssi. Five modules for levels A1-B1.
- Suomee! Learn to understand what Finns say to you.
Practice speaking!
- Language cafés, also online.
- Tandem. Find Kielikaveri! Check possibility to join Tandem-course and practice Finnish with native speakers.
- LanGo. Search for a Finnish language pal. Facebook account needed.
- Different courses. If your Finnish skills are quite strong already, sign in to different courses - for example cooking, painting, photographing - in adult education centers.
- Facebook-group“I want to learn Finnish!” for people who love Finland and want to learn Finnish. Ask questions, have conversations and find new friends:
Learn by watching media content and reading news
- Yle Kielikoulu a service enabling you to study Finnish by watching Yle’s media content in an application or a browser
- Yle Selkouutiset Super easy news
- Selkouutiset News with plain language
- Selkosanomat Newspaper with plain language
Learn by reading
- Ymmärrä suomea. Texts, grammar and exercises. Vocabulary list in English available. Level A2.2-B2.2.
Practice vocabulary
- Quizlet (use search to find exercises, write "Suomen mestari 1 kappale 2" etc.; you can also make your own cards)
Learn with music
Good luck with your language studies! Onnea kieliopintoihin!
Materials and tips for BASIC LEVEL (B1-B2) to learn Finnish independently
Congratulations! You know a lot of Finnish already! Below you will find tips on how to develop your skills easily in your everyday life and in many different ways - for example with help of social media, books, magazines, films, music, blogs or Youtube-channels.
At this stage of learning Finnish, it is important to start using the language actively. Think about where and with whom you could converse in Finnish and where you could hear more Finnish. Could you start a Finnish language hobby? Join a language café? Find a language buddy? Start speaking Finnish with work or study friends? Only by using the language will you become a fluent Finnish speaker!
Need to check the level of your Finnish skills? See the CEFR Self-assessment grid.
Online courses to develop your language skills (B1-B2)
- Aalto open learning: Suomen kielen kirjallisten taitojen testipankki. Get feedback about your skills and practice vocabulary, sentence structures, reading and writing.
- Ymmärrä suomea Texts, grammar and exercises. Vocabulary list in English available. Level A2-B2
- Yle: Asiointisuomea. Learn what to say in different customer situations. Levels A2-B2
Follow YouTube-channels, blogs, podcasts and Facebook-groups
- Randomfinnishlesson Blog with a lot of good ideas, tips and links to study Finnish! A Strong recommendation!
- Gimara Many kinds of interactive teaching sessions for different levels. Choose level “Intermediate” or “Advanced”
- Selkokirjalukupiiri Pidätkö lukemisesta? Tule mukaan Facebook-lukupiiriin!
- Facebook-group“I want to learn Finnish!” for people who love Finland and want to learn Finnish. Ask questions, have conversations and find new friends
Learn by watching media content and reading news
- Yle Kielikoulu a service enabling you to study Finnish by watching Yle’s media content in an application or a browser
- Yle Selkouutiset Super easy news
- Selkouutiset News with plain language
- Selkosanomat Newspaper with plain language
Learn through music and the lyrics of your favourite songs!
- Lyricstraining Choose the language, song and level (intermediate or advanced)
GRAMMAR: learn more and practice
- Finnish teacher
- Uusi kielemme
- Nettitehtävät. Practice grammar! Choose level 2 or 3.
Learn to understand spoken Finnish better
- Puhutsä suomee? Puhekielen verkkokurssi. Five modules for levels A1-B1.
- Suomee! Learn to understand what Finns say to you.
Practice speaking!
- Language cafés, also online.
- Tandem. Find Kielikaveri! Check possibility to join Tandem-course and practice Finnish with native speakers.
- LanGo. Search for a Finnish language pal. Facebook account needed.
- Different courses. If your Finnish skills are quite strong already, sign in to different courses - for example cooking, painting, photographing - in adult education centers.
Materiaalia ja vinkkejä KESKITASON ja EDISTYNEEN TASON (B2-C1) suomen kielen itsenäiseen oppimiseen
Mahtavaa! Olet päässyt jo todella pitkälle suomen kielen opinnoissasi! Alta löydät materiaalia ja vinkkejä, joiden avulla voit kehittää kielitaitoasi vielä pidemmälle.
Jos haluat arvioida kielitaitosi tasoa, voit hyödyntää CEFR itsearviointitaulukkoa
Verkkokursseja
- Ymmärrä suomea (A2-B2) Tekstejä, kielioppia ja harjoituksia. Sanasto englanniksi saatavilla
- Aalto open learning (B1-B2): Suomen kielen kirjallisten taitojen testipankki. Testaa taitosi ja harjoittele sanastoa, lauserakenteita, luetunymmärtämistä ja kirjoittamista
- Digijoujou: Suomea edistyneille (B2-C1). Kurssilla on 8 moduulia (1 op), esimerkiksi Lue ja kirjoita opinnoissa ja Harjoittele ja kommunikoi töissä. Tee aluksi lyhyt itsearviointi ja valitse sopiva moduuli
- Kirjallinen viestintä (B2-C2)Tutustu kirjallisen viestinnän perusteisiin (esimerkiksi tekstityypit, asiatekstin rakenteet, kielenhuolto)
Blogit
- RandomfinnishlessonTässä blogissa on paljon hyviä ideoita, vinkkejä ja linkkejä kielenopiskeluun! Vahva suositus!
- Suomea edistyneille (B2-C1)-blogi. Itseopiskelumateriaalia edistyneille suomenoppijoille.
- Oppitori Suomen kieltä ja kulttuuria. Sanalistoja ja vinkkejä sanaston opiskeluun
Katso, kuuntele ja lue!
- Yle kielikoulu Katsele ohjelmia tekstitysten kanssa. Jos ohjelmassa on sana, jonka merkitystä et ymmärrä, saat sanaa klikkaamalla esiin tukikäännöksen valitsemallasi kielellä
- Gimaran youtube-kanava Paljon erilaisia opetusvideoita eri taitotasoille ja eri aihepiireistä. Valitse taso ”advanced”
- Selkokirjalukupiiri Pidätkö lukemisesta? Tule mukaan Facebook-lukupiiriin
Kielioppia ja harjoituksia
- Finnish teacher Valitse taso: Edistynyt tai Hyvin edistynyt
- Uusi kielemme
- Nettitehtävät. Harjoittele kielioppia. Valitse taso 3 tai 4.
Prepare yourself to the YKI national language test
Going to the YKI test? The YKI certificates are official, nationally recognised language certificates, used for example in job search, higher education admissions and application for nationality. The YKI certificates are based on your skills to use the language. The tests measure your Finnish skills in speaking, writing, listening comprehension, and reading comprehension.
Read more about the YKI test
- National certificates of language proficiency
- Examination days and test centres
- Registration to the YKI test
Check also YKI preparatory courses (YKI basic and intermediate level exercises) available in Metropolia as elective language studies.
Practice for YKI test
- Ykitreenit: Basic level A1-A2
- Ykitreenit: Intermediate level B1-B2
- YKI-esittelysivut. Demonstration page for basic, intermediate and advanced level tests.
- Suomikoulujen tuki. Exercises for intermediate level YKI.
- Helsingin aikuisopisto: Ohjeita ja harjoituksia. Tutustu keskitason YKI-testiin ja testitehtäviin.
- Student’s video: How to prepare for YKI test
Kehitä ammatillista suomen kielen taitoasi
Tällä sivulla on materiaalia, jonka avulla voit oppia suomen kieltä ja oman alasi sanastoa.
Ammatillinen suomen kieli
- Työelämän suomea, level A2-B1. Opiskele kahdeksan moduulia ja opi kommunikoimaan työelämässä
Nursing - hoitoalan suomea (A2-B1)
- Tekoihin. Sosiaali- ja terveysalan suomea
- Edu.fi-oppimateriaalit: Potilashuone.
- Useful books: Hoitotyön suomea; Ihan lähellä (lähihoitajille); Sairaan hyvää suomea (sairaanhoitajille ja lääkäreille); Hoidetaan suomeksi
- Suomea lähihoitajille-materiaaleja kootusti.
Tekniikan alan suomea
- Tekniikan S2-opetukset. Tekniikan alojen kuva- ja videosanakirja
- Tekoihin: Sähköalan suomea
Liikeatalouden alan suomea