Learn Finnish: Intermediate Course 1 (distance learning)

An intensive summer course

Scope

4 ECTS

Time

Online course 2.6.–18.8.2025 on the following days:

2.–25.6. on Mondays and Wednesdays at 17.00–20.15

no lessons in July

4.–18.8. on Mondays and Wednesdays at 17.00–20.15

We will use Zoom and Moodle platforms. To participate, you will need a computer with a reliable internet connection, a microphone, and a camera. More information about the platforms will be sent by email approximately 1 week before the 1st lesson.

Target group

The course is for you if you have participated on Finnish for Beginners 4 or if your skill level is A2.2 (on the European Framework of Reference for Languages, CEFR).

You have studied the textbooks Suomen mestari 1 and Suomen mestari 2, or have equivalent skills.

See our Student’s Guide for more information about the order in which our Finnish language courses are meant to be taken.

Before joining the course, you need to have the following skills:

The course is suitable for students who have reached the skill level A2.2. You can handle discussions related to everyday topics and decribe yourself and your life, including free time, work, and personal history. You are able to read simple texts related to your work or your interests, if the text does not require any deeper understanding of the language. You are able to write texts about familiar subjects and reply briefly to inquiries.

You can handle basic grammar issues, such as active verb tenses (present tense, past tense, present perfect). You have learnt consonant gradation (k-p-t) in verbs and nouns. You are familiar with noun types and basic Finnish vocabulary. The relative pronoun "joka", as well as "-maan", "-massa", and "-masta" forms of verbs are familiar to you.

Objectives

The target level of the course is B1.1.

Contents

The course is continuation of Finnish for Beginners 4. The aim of the course is to reach fluent skills on level B1 and strengthen their mastery of the language in various situations. The course is suitable, for example, as a preparation for a certificate of language proficiency (YKI-testi).

The course will begin with a review of previous grammar points (Suomen mestari 2 or equivalent). We can briefly revise, for example, noun types, the relative pronoun "joka", pluperfect tense, genitive and partitive plural, the "i" plural, and objective cases.

New grammar topics will include, for example, passive tenses (present, past tense and perfect), objective cases in different sentence types, adverbs, and conditional. We will also learn different structures and expressions related to time.

The themes covered on the course include, for example, saving energy and protecting the environment, culture and art, family life, relatives, and communities.

The textbook Suomen mestari 3 will form the core of the course.  On this course, we study the first half of the book (approximately from chapter 1 to chapter 4). The course themes will be practised with the help of various exercises, texts, and games. We  will also discuss in Finnish. The students are required to participate actively in class and do homework.

The language of instruction is Finnish, with English used as a supportive language when necessary.

Modes of study

Active and regular participation and passing the exam at the end of the course. NOTE! The course is intensive.

In order to pass the course, participants are required to attend at least 70 or 80 per cent of the lessons.

Evaluation: 0–5

Materials

Suomen mestari 3, Sonja Gehring et al., Finn Lectura, chapters 1 to 4

ISBN: 9789511355809

Note! The book is not included in the course fee.

Please buy or borrow the book before the course begins! The book will be needed from the 1st lesson onwards. Each participant will need their own copy of the book.  A dictionary is also recommended.

See also

After this course, you can continue studying with us on Intermediate Course in Finnish 2. We are planning to offer the course on the autumn semester. More information about the autumn courses will be published on our website in the summer.

Additional information

Education coordinator Suvi Tartia: suvi.tartia at tampereenkesayliopisto.fi, tel./WhatsApp 050 7127

The information published above is subject to change.