(Last update July 5, 2010)

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

General Information

Finnish language and culture 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 only two levels (beginner and non-beginner) offered for people with Finnish not as their mother tongue ("Finnish as a Second Language"); adults with Finnish as their mother tongue or with Finnish heritage background, please contact Tuomo. Sorry, no summer classes this year...

Finnish speakers (i.e. native, native-like, "heritage speakers", etc.) please note: Both classes described below are unfortunately too easy and therefor not beneficial for you. The FinnFun School is working on the possibility of creating a more suitable class for such students (min. six committed participants) with focus on "advanced" reading and writing skills; please contact Tuomo. In the meantime, the kielenhuolto ("kieliklinikka") workshops (approx. twice a semester), held in Finnish, may be helpful for you; see Calendar for dates and details.

REGISTRATION: By e-mail (to Tuomo) by September 8, 2010 (including returning students); please indicate which level you are interested in (see below). Minimum six students required to form a class.

COST AND PAYMENT: $150 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.

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

SCHEDULE (Fall Semester 2010):
Non-beginner classes (i.e. intermediate/advanced levels): Mondays (starting September 13) 7pm to 9pm
Beginner classes: Wednesdays (starting September 15) 7pm to 9pm: 

Teacher: Tuomo Neuvonen (tneuvonen @ hotmail.com)

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

BEGINNERS:
First of two semesters of elementary Finnish (to be continued in Spring 2011). Fall 2010 semester starts Wednesday September 15 7-9pm for 10 weeks up to December 8 (no classes on Nov. 10 and Nov. 17 & 24). 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 6 committed participants required by September 8. UPDATE: Minimum number met!

Goal: By the END of the FIRST semester at beginner level, students will normally be 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, forming yes/no questions (with -ko/-kö), forming questions with questions words (kuka, mikä, mitä, missä, ...), saying what one does not do (with en, et, ei...), using suffixes necessary to describe where someone or something is (-ssa; -lla), where someone is from (-sta; -lta). Vocabulary includes (but is not limited to) information on self, family and origins, words to describe nationality, numbers, size, colour, shape, and basic food items.

NB. No new students for beginner class after September 29, 2010! Inquiries regarding next beginner level classes (starting September 2011) are very welcome - sign up now!

Further questions? Don't hesitate to contact Tuomo!

NON-BEGINNERS (formerly Intermediate/Advanced level):
Starting Monday September 13 7-9pm for 10 weeks up to November 29 (no class on Thanksgiving Day and Nov. 22). Anybody who has recently completed Beginner level Finnish at FinnFun (fall and spring semesters; normally one year earlier) or equivalent elsewhere. The students on this level have varying amounts of experience behind them, so don't be afraid if your Finnish is currently a bit rusty :-) Minimum 6 committed participants required by September 8. 
 
Goal: Review of beginner level material (see above for general idea) and further vocabulary and grammar (past tense, plural, etc.).

NB. Limited access to class for students interested in the non-beginner level after October 11.

Further questions? Don't hesitate to contact Tuomo!