S2 – Finnish as a second language
Your key to Finland
In Finnish as a second language courses are also known as the S2 courses for short. In our S2 courses you will learn Finnish from the perspective of a foreign language learner. At the same time, you will become familiar with Finnish culture and society.
The aim of the teaching is to achieve fluent and functional language skills that provide sufficient oral and written skills for coping with everyday life. Language skills are key to further studies or working life, as well as to living in Finnish society in general.
The scope and length of the S2 courses vary. Some of the teaching is carried out online or as blended learning, which consists of classroom and online study.
The courses use textbooks selected by the teacher. In addition to note-taking equipment, you may need a mobile device in class. For online courses, a computer or other mobile device is essential. The textbooks and materials required for the courses can be found in the course descriptions on the Ilmonet course portal.
See the Helsinki Adult Education Centre’s multilingual brochure and brochure on Finnish language courses in English and Finnish below.
- Study Finnish at the Helsinki Adult Education Centre, PDF
- Opiskele suomea Helsingin työväenopistossa, PDF in Finnish
- Welcome aboard Helsinki Adult Education Centre! Multilingual PDF brochure
To participate in the courses, you must know the Lati alphabet.
The courses follow the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). You can study Finnish from beginner level to upper intermediate level.
In the basic courses, you will learn to understand clear speech, talk about everyday matters, read simple texts, and write easy messages. In the intermediate courses, your language skills will develop: your vocabulary will expand, you will learn to produce longer texts, and you will master the basics of grammar.
The Helsinki Adult Education Centre is a great and affordable place to learn new things!
Need more information?
Wondering which course level is right for you? Subject teachers provide study guidance, help you choose courses, and answer all your study-related questions before you enrol and during the teaching period.