The target audience for this course are immigrants over age sixteen, foreigners and Finns who are not native speakers of Finnish and would like to improve their Finnish language skills. You can study Finnish starting from the beginning or your current level. Your starting level can be for example A0-B1.
The aim is to achieve a level of language proficiency that enables further studies in Finnish language, vocational studies or entering working life. The training applies the basics of the integration training curriculum, adapted to the duration of the course.
Notice: Because studying at Joutsenon Opisto does not lead to a degree, you cannot get a student visa or residence permit for studying at Joutsenon Opisto. Studying at Joutsenon Opisto is subject to a fee. Read more about payments below.
Finnish as a Second Language programme provides extensive studies on Finnish language and communication skills as well as social and working life competence.
The training applies the basics of the integration training curriculum, adapted to the duration of the course. Students are divided into groups according to the level of their existing languge skill, if there will be more than one group.
Trainings 19.8.-13.12.2024
Basic course in Finnish (starting level below A1)
Advanced course in Finnish (starting level A1.3-)
Trainings 7.1.-16.5.2025
Basic course in Finnish (starting level 0-). The start of the course will be confirmed during December.
Advanced course in Finnish 1 (starting level A1.1-)
Advanced course in Finnish 2 (starting level A2.1-)
Diverse methods are used in teaching and the principles of language-aware teaching are followed. Students participate in the college's joint events together with other students of the college.
Students receive both individual and group guidance according to their personal study plan. The guidance may aim at, for example, completing studies, finding a job or making further plans. It is also possible to study only Finnish language studies (20 hours / week or less) on a part-time basis. When applying, please inform about your interest studying on a part-time basis. You can start studying from your own starting level. Students study every weekday from 9 am to 2 pm.
If the student is a customer of the TE Office and an integration plan has been drawn up for him/her, for which the training has been approved, teaching, lunch and coffee as well as accommodation in the college's dormitory will be free of charge as of 7.1.2025. If the student is a client of the reception centre, the price of the training is 75 € /month (the price includes tuition only). If a student wants to eat lunch during the study day, the price of tuition and lunch is 120€ /month. Other students are charged the college fees according to the price list. See more detailed payment information below here.
You can register for the training by filling in the registration form. You can register for the course throughout the academic year. Please fill out the form carefully and submit it. You will receive a response to your application within two weeks.
The autumn semester trainings are now full. You can sign up for spring semester trainings. The spring semester trainings will begin on 7.1.2025. Students are accepted for training if there are free places in a group corresponding to their language proficiency level.
Note! Foreigners must have a valid residence permit or visa to start studies in Finland. You can find additional information from Finnish Immigration Services at https://migri.fi/en/home
Because the studies at Joutseno College are non-degree-based education, students coming from abroad cannot get a student visa or residence permit to Finland on the basis of these studies. Students must find out and take care of visas and permits themselves through the Finnish Immigration Service. The college does not offer visa assistance.
For further information, please contact opisto(at)joutsenonopisto.fi
Application form Ask moreLanguage and communication skills and guidance are integrated into all subjects. Whenever possible, Finnish is also studied functionally and experientially.
Studies take place every weekday from 9 am to 2 pm.
Studying at Joutsenon Opisto is subject to a fee. The cost of studies is determined by education, meals and housing. The tuition fee is invoiced in eight equal instalments during the academic year.
IMMIGRANTS
As of 7.1.2025, tuition, lunch and coffee as well as accommodation in the college's dormitory will be free of charge for immigrants (students must have an integration plan drawn up with TE Services)
RECEPTION CENTRE CLIENTS
PRICE 1
includes tuition only
300 € / semester
Payment 75 €
PRICE 2
includes tuition and lunch
480 € / semester
Payment 120 € (4 installments per semester)
OTHER STUDENTS
PRICE 1
includes tuition, meals (full board) and housing in a single room
3200 € / semester
Payment instalment 800 € (4 installments per semester)
PRICE 2
includes tuition, meals (full board) and housing in a double room
2764 € / semester
Instalment 691 € (4 installments per semester)
PRICE 3
includes tuition, lunch and daytime coffee (on study days)
1724 € / semester
Payment 431 € (4 installments per semester)
Permits
Because the studies at Joutseno College are non-degree-based education, students coming from abroad cannot get a student visa or residence permit to Finland on the basis of these studies. Students must find out and take care of visas and permits themselves through the Finnish Immigration Service. The college does not offer visa assistance.
A student who is not a Finnish citizen and has come to Finland to study is principally not eligible for financial aid from Finland. However, financial aid can be granted in some cases, if certain terms are met. The college does not editorialise about student financial aid granted by the government. For more information on student financial aid for foreigners, see Kela's website.