Languages

Once you start, keep going!

Depending on the number of hours in the course, it takes 4–6 years to achieve basic language skills at the adult education centre. Basic lever courses progress from beginner level to basic level four. All basic level courses use a variety of exercises to teach practical language skills for everyday situations. To achieve the best possible learning results, you must also study at home.

A1 Beginner level

You understand and use familiar everyday expressions and phrases that cater to simple and concrete needs. You can introduce yourself and other people. You can answer simple questions that concern yourself, and you can ask questions from others; questions such as where they live, who do they know and what do they have. You can hold a simple conversation if your partner speaks slowly and clearly and is willing to help you.

A2 Elementary level

You understand sentences and commonly used phrases that are connected to common, everyday life: simple information about your family, doing the groceries, local information and work. You can communicate in simple and routine-like tasks, which ask for simple information exchange about common, everyday things. You can describe your background, local surroundings and immediate needs in a simple way.

Keep it up and expand!

Intermediate level courses are suitable as complementary and in-depth follow-up for our basic level courses or general upper secondary school basic level syllabus. They include listening comprehension and oral exercises, diverse texts, refreshers on grammar, and cultural and customary knowledge. At this level, courses often also differ in terms of their topics. The upper intermediate level B2 is equal to fluent language skills for working life.

B1 Intermediate level

You understand the main points of messages in common Finnish in contexts such as work, school or leisure time. You can manage most situations while travelling in the language area. You can produce simple, consistent text about topics you know or are interested in. You can describe your experiences and situations you have been involved in, as well as your hopes, dreams and goals for the future. You can justify your opinions and explain your plans briefly.

B2 Upper intermediate level

You understand the main points of complex texts about topics that are either concrete or abstract, including your own line of work or specialist field. The way you communicate is so fluent and spontaneous that you can interact with a native speaker without any effort on either of you. You can produce clear and detailed text about an array of topics, state your opinion on a current topic, and explain the pros and cons of different options.

Polish and refine!

These are special courses that require an excellent competency in the language. Skill levels C1 and C2 are very high language skills levels.

C1 Advanced level

You understand variety of demanding, longer texts and recognise hidden meanings. You can state your thoughts fluently and spontaneously without clear difficulties in finding expressions. You use language in a flexible and effective way for both social, educational and professional purposes. You can produce texts about complex topics in a clear, well-structured and detailed manner. You can structure text and improve its coherence by using, for example, transitions and linking words.

C2 Proficiency level

You usually have no problem understanding any kind of spoken or written language. You can combine information from various spoken and written sources and compile a coherent presentation of the reasoning end explanations in them. You can express your thoughts spontaneously and very fluently and precisely. You can distinguish subtle differences and nuances in meaning even in complex situations.