Finnish for real life
Your Finnish Journey
A gentle 4-week online course to help you get ready for life in Finland.
Made with international students in mind, and warmly open to partners, family members and anyone moving to Finland for work. Practical Finnish, everyday situations and a gentle introduction to Finnish communication: a light first step, before you even arrive.
Join the waiting listThe next course is being planned. Join the waiting list and I’ll let you know first.
“The goal is not fluency before arrival.”
Arrive knowing a little more about what is going on, what to say and what to do next. We learn Finnish through situations you are likely to meet, and we peek at some of the unwritten rules of Finnish communication along the way.
From preparation to participation
Before Finland
Prepare, learn useful Finnish and get a feel for what to expect.
The first weeks
Practise real situations, understand the practical steps and Finnish communication.
Keep going
Practise Finnish in language cafés and other communities, meet people and build confidence.
A first step towards everyday life in Finland
- Practical Finnish you can actually use.
- Real-life situations, before you meet them.
- A clearer picture of the practical first steps.
- Confidence to speak even when your Finnish is not perfect.
- A path to keep practising and making connections.
One small step at a time
Each week has its own theme and one practical task at the end. Nothing here asks for perfection.
Me & Finnish
- Greetings and introducing yourself
- Basic pronunciation and useful everyday phrases
- Asking someone to repeat or help
- Using Finnish without waiting for perfection
Outcome: I can manage a simple first interaction in Finnish.
Everyday Finland
- Café and shop situations
- Public transport
- Asking for directions and help
- Understanding simple signs and messages
- Small pieces of culture that shape everyday interactions
Outcome: I can use Finnish in a few everyday situations and know what to expect.
Getting Things Done
- DVV and registration, as an example of an official situation
- Banking and phone / SIM
- Kela, and where to find reliable information
- Public services and asking for help
- The basic order of the practical first steps
Outcome: I know where to look and what I might say.
Understanding Finnish People
- Silence
- Directness
- Small talk
- Personal space
- Punctuality
- Communication at school and in everyday situations
Outcome: I feel more ready to participate.
Your Finnish Journey is a first, practical step. It is not an official qualification and does not replace a full Finnish course or official guidance. Rules and services can change, so always check the official source for your own situation.
Simple, flexible and yours to pace
Every day you get a short audio practice of about 5–10 minutes. Listen and repeat useful Finnish, even on a walk.
In your course area you will also find short videos of selected real-life situations, extra information and useful links. They are there when you would like more, but you do not need them: you can manage well just by listening to the daily audios during the week. Each week ends with one small practical task.
One weekly module, with a small practice each day
One weekly module with the week's audio recordings, selected videos, useful links, the weekend task and the Teams link.
A short daily message with that day's audio and a simple listen-and-repeat prompt. No need to log in every day.
Guided repetition and practice first, then questions and conversation. Small groups can be used when helpful.
One small way to use what you have learned: a short voice recording, a short written response or a self-guided practical task.
Integration is part of the journey
Language helps you take part in everyday life. Your Finnish Journey is a beginning, not the end: after you arrive, you can keep practising in everyday situations and explore language cafés and other communities.
Meet your teacher
Hi, I’m Eva — a qualified Finnish teacher, special education professional, and the founder of MyFinnVibes.
I’ve lived abroad myself, navigating life in languages and cultures that weren’t my own. I know how much you have to figure out when you move to a new country — often things you didn’t even know you needed to know. And I know how much easier it can feel when someone helps you find your way.
As an experienced, trained teacher, I’ve spent years helping people learn and find ways forward that work for them. I created Your Finnish Journey together with international students already living in Finland, listening to their experiences and learning what they wished they had known before arriving.
That’s why this course goes beyond vocabulary and grammar. It brings together practical Finnish, everyday situations and insights into Finnish communication, so you can feel more prepared, build the courage to speak and take your first steps towards connecting with people in Finland.
I believe learning a language is also about opening doors — to conversations, friendships and a sense of belonging. You don’t have to know everything before you arrive. You just need a place to start.
I’m here to help you take that first step.
EvaJoin the waiting list
Dates and details for the next Your Finnish Journey will be shared soon. Leave your email and I’ll let you know as soon as there is news.
- 4 weekly modules with audio, short videos and links
- A short daily listen-and-repeat practice on Telegram
- A live guided session on Teams every Sunday
- One practical weekend task each week
No payment now and no obligation. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Questions you might have
When does the next course start?
The date has not been announced yet. When you join the waiting list, I will let you know as soon as there is news about the next course and how to join.
Do I need to know any Finnish already?
No. The course starts from the very beginning and is taught in English. If you already know a little, you will simply get more practice using it.
How much time will it take?
About 5–10 minutes of audio a day, one practical task at the end of each week and, if you can join, the live session on Sunday. You can listen on a walk, so it fits around a busy life.
Who is it for?
The main focus is on international students preparing to come to Finland. Spouses and partners, family members and people coming to work are very welcome too, because many of the everyday situations are the same for everyone. It also suits you if you have just arrived and would like a gentle, practical start.
Do I need to be online at a certain time?
The weekly module and daily audio are yours to use whenever it suits you. The Sunday session on Teams is live, and it is a place for guided practice, questions and conversation.
Will I get personal feedback on my speaking?
To keep the course affordable, it is not built around individual feedback. You practise by listening, repeating and trying, and you can bring your questions to the Sunday session. The weekend task is yours to try, whether as a voice recording, a short text or a practical task.
Will this replace a Finnish course or prepare me for the YKI test?
No. It is a practical first step, not an official qualification. It can make a fuller Finnish course easier to start, and it points you towards language cafés where you can keep practising.
Is the information about DVV, Kela and banks official advice?
It is a friendly guide to what you may meet and what you might say. Rules and services change, so please check the official source for your own situation.
What happens after the four weeks?
You can keep practising in everyday situations and in language cafés. A possible next step is Your Finnish Life, with continued practice, confidence and connections.
While you wait, start with the free guide →
Arrive with more confidence.
Start connecting from day one.
Prepare for life in Finland with practical Finnish, everyday situations and insights into Finnish culture. Build the courage to speak, understand a little more of what is happening around you and take your first steps towards feeling at home.
Fill in the form below to join the waiting listYour journey starts before you arrive.
Questions? info@myfinnvibes.fi
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Leave your name and email, and I’ll let you know as soon as there is news about the next Your Finnish Journey.
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