Finnish Classes for Adults

(Last update Sep 5, 2011)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL LEVELS: Please read this part first before moving on to course description!

General Information

FinnFun School offers Finnish language and culture for adults in a friendly social club style environment through practical oral communication skills. Other language skills and goals also addressed on a personal need basis.

Currently two levels are offered for people with Finnish not as their mother tongue ("Finnish as a Second Language"):

* Beginner

* Non-beginner

See course descriptions below. Courses meet once a week for two hours at a time and for ten weeks per semester.

Adults with Finnish heritage background or with a extensive background in Finnish and who are already somewhat fluent speakers but who want to improve on their reading and writing skills, see information below on a 5-week pilot program. Please note that the aforementioned beginner and non-beginner classes are NOT appropriate for you.

In addition, FinnFun School offers workshops in Finnish (“Kieliklinikka”) on spelling and speaking guidelines and on other topics of interest for Finnish speakers. Look for advertisements in the West Coast News!

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Contact and registration information at the end of this page.

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SCHEDULE (Fall 2011-Spring 2012)

Beginner classes: Wednesdays (starting September 14) 7pm to 9pm [CONFIRMED]

Non-beginner classes: Mondays (starting September 12) 7pm to 9pm [CONFIRMED]

[SEE UPDATE BELOW]: Reading and Writing: Tuesdays (starting date TBA/confirmed) 7pm to 9pm

LOCATION:

Finnish Room, Scandinavian Centre,
6540 Thomas Street, Burnaby.

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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

BEGINNERS:
Two semesters (Fall 2011 and Spring 2011) each consisting of ten weeks. Preference given to those with NO previous knowledge of Finnish or those with significant time (2-3 years) since the last time you studied Finnish at a beginner level; if in doubt, contact Tuomo. Minimum 8 committed participants required by September 5 [CONFIRMED!].

Goal: By the END of the second semester, students will generally speaking have reached the equivalence of Level 1 proficiency as defined by Canadian Language Benchmarks. Students will able to (a) introduce and speak about themselves (name, nationality, age, marital status, etc.), (b) ask related questions, (c) be able to communicate basic needs in a restaurant, bar, cafe, etc. Grammar includes (but is not limited to) conjugating basic verbs, asking both yes/no type questions (with -ko/-kö) and questions with questions words (who, what, where, ...). Students will also be able to use vocabulary and grammar necessary to reply to such questions, including in the negative (with en, et, ei...), and to use suffixes necessary to describe where someone or something is or where someone is from. Vocabulary includes (but is not limited to) basic information on self, family and origins, words to describe nationality, numbers, size, colour, shape, and basic food items.

NO NEW STUDENTS AFTER SEPTEMBER 28! Next beginners class starts in September 2012. Inquiries regarding next beginner level classes are already welcome - sign up now!

Further questions? Don't hesitate to contact Tuomo!

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NON-BEGINNERS:
The Non-Beginners level class builds on the material covered at the Beginner level. This level is meant for anybody who has recently completed Beginner level Finnish at FinnFun (both semesters; typically one year earlier) or equivalent elsewhere. The students on this level have varying amounts of experience behind them, so don't be afraid to join if your Finnish is currently a bit rusty :-) Minimum 8 committed participants required by September 5 [CONFIRMED!].

Goal: By the end on both fall and spring semesters, students will generally speaking have reached up to the equivalence of level 2 proficiency as defined by Canadian Language Benchmarks. Communication skills learned at the Beginner level are improved by means of reviewing beginner level material (see above for general idea) to which further vocabulary and grammar (past tense, plural, etc.) is added.

NB. Limited admission to non-beginner level class available throughout the two semesters.

Further questions? Don't hesitate to contact Tuomo!

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NEW/UPDATE: READING AND WRITING (Five-week Pilot Program):

This class is meant for students who have at least level 2 proficiency in Finnish as defined by Canadian Language Benchmarks. Students should be comfortable with carrying on a lengthy conversation in colloquial Finnish as well as understanding Finnish spoken at moderate speed. Focus is on reading texts in contemporary Finnish (out of class) followed by in-class discussion on the topic in Finnish and a short guided writing assignment. Minimum 8 committed participants required by January 5.

Further questions? Don't hesitate to contact Tuomo!

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REGISTRATION: By e-mail (to Tuomo) by September 5, 2010 (including returning students); please indicate which level you are interested in (see above). Minimum eight students required to form a class.

COST AND PAYMENT: $150 (beginner/non-beginner) or $75 (reading and writing) to be paid to the teacher on the first class in cash or by cheque (to: FinnFun School/Adults). Sorry, no credit cards. The cost includes all teaching material.

Teacher: Tuomo Neuvonen (tneuvonen @ hotmail.com)