Considering Learning Finnish?
If you love Finland and would like to visit one day and be able to speak the language to the locals, a Finnish language course may be perfect for you. There are many benefits to learning another language for both your personal and professional life. Learning languages can be a great hobby to have for your mental wellbeing. The course will also enable you to meet new people and make friends outside of your normal circle. The good news is there are so many Finnish language courses currently available and they offer great flexibility for those trying to balance study and work. Finnish language courses are available in full-part, part-time and evening class options and for a variety of levels.
About Finland
Finland is a hidden gem that is tucked into the far up North. It is a treasure waiting to be discovered. You will find so many reasons to fall in love with Finland; the people and arctic adventures being the main highlight. Finland has lots of snow and winter activities. They say that the best time to visit is between December to March. If you are after springtime sun and the revival of nature after the winter time, April to May is the period to visit. Overall, it is beautiful all year round. If you don’t speak Finnish, you can still enjoy a holiday here as many Finns speak fluent or at least understandable English. Many enjoy Finland for the northern lights which are visible for around 10 to 20 nights a year.
About the Finnish Language
The Finnish language is a member of the Finno-Ugric group of the Uralic language family, spoken in Finland. At the beginning of the 19th Century, Finnish had no official status, with Swedish being used in Finnish education, literature and government. The publication in 1835 of the Kalevala, a national epic poem based on Finnish folklore, aroused Finnish national feeling. In the century that followed, Finnish gradually became the predominant language in education and government; it achieved official status in 1863. In Finland’s 1919 constitution both Swedish and Finnish were designated national languages. Characteristic phonological features of the language include vowel harmony, in which vowels are divided into two contrasting classes such that vowels from opposing classes may not occur together in a word and consonant gradation in which stop consonants are altered before closed syllables. There are also two lengths distinguished in consonants and in vowels.
Why Learn Finnish?
There are many reasons to learn the Finnish language. Over 6 million people speak Finnish across the globe. In addition to being the official language of Finland, Finnish is also one of the official languages of the EU. It is spoken in Norway, Russia, Sweden, America and the Republic of Karelia. There are even significant populations of Finnish speakers in Michigan, Ontario, Florida and Minnesota. Learning the Finnish language can also help connect you with the past. Being able to speak with older people in your life who previously spoke the language and learning the richer history of Northern Europe is a plus to learning Finnish. Understanding a different culture also provides you with an appreciation for new experiences that will last a lifetime.
Learning new languages creates new pathways in the brain. Plus, knowing more than one language can greatly improve your career prospects. You can learn and embrace the Finnish concept of Sisu. There is no direct translation to English, however, one could define sisu as inner strength, dignity or extreme perseverance in the face of adversity. Sisu is essentially the glue of Finland’s culture, personal fulfillment and tenacity. In 2018, Finland was named the ‘Goodest’ country in the world. The Good Country Index rates countries based on things such as culture, science and technology, international peace and security, planet and climate, world order, health and wellbeing and prosperity and equality.
What Will I Learn?
You will learn simple main areas of grammar and basic vocabulary. The course will teach you how to use the language in familiar and simple everyday situations, understand and communicate in Finnish on a variety of practical everyday matters. You will improve your writing, reading, speaking and listening and develop your linguistic and cultural awareness. The course will help you understand and communicate on a variety of social matters too.
If you’re serious about learning Finnish, check out Finnish language courses near you in the Nightcourses.co.uk national course finder.
