SIMHE Studies – Finnish, Swedish and English courses for immigrants

Do you want to learn Finnish, Swedish or English and improve your employability in Finland? SIMHE language studies are targeted for foreigners living in Finland. The courses are free of charge.

Please read before enrolling

The registration for courses starting in October is now open. Please note that some of the courses are already full. The registration for courses starting in spring 2024 will open in November.

You'll find a short description and link to enrolment for all the courses below. To enrol, you need to fill out an online form. The form is available when the enrolment is open.

After you have filled out the online registration form, you will be informed about the selection or rejection via email before the start of the course. Since the number of participants per course is limited, the enrolment is binding. We hope that you are committed to participate to the course actively. In case you wish to cancel your enrolment, please contact us immediately at simhe (a) lists.uwasa.fi.

Who can participate?

SIMHE courses are targeted to individuals who have moved to Finland from another country and live currently in Finland. The courses are filled in the order of enrolment.

Those who are not degree students at the University of Vaasa will have priority in the selection to SIMHE courses. If you are a degree student at the University of Vaasa or at another higher education institution in Vaasa, please see whether your institution or the Linguavaasa network offers a suitable course for you.

About the courses

SIMHE courses are organised online or at the University of Vaasa campus depending on the course. In order to participate to online courses, you need to have online meeting devices (a microphone and a webcam).

Please note that to ensure good learning results, active participation to the course sessions is required. You will also need to reserve time for self-study to keep up with the classes.

SIMHE courses are equivalent to the ones organised for our university students. When you complete a course, you will obtain ECTS credits and can download a transcript of records as a proof of your achievement.

Course levels

The courses range from starting level A0 to basic level A2.2 on the CEFR European skill level scale. To select the right course for you, please read the course descriptions and check the CEFR: European language skill levels (Kielibuusti.fi) before enrolling. Choose the course that starts from a level that corresponds to your current level. If you are a total beginner, select course 1a that starts from level A0.

Identification

After being selected to the course, you will need to go through an identification process in order to get credentials to the university's study platform Moodle.

We recommend using Finnish online banking codes for the identification. This can be completed fast and easily online. You will receive a link for the identification before the course begins.

If you don't have Finnish banking codes, we will meet you on campus or online to complete the identification. Please note that you need to live in Finland and have a valid passport or equivalent identification document. We will contact you to give you further instructions for the identification.

Questions?

Don't hesitate to contact us at simhe (a) lists.uwasa.fi.

Finnish courses, autumn 2023

Finnish as a Foreign Language 1a: introduction, 2 ECTS

Are you an absolute beginner in Finnish? Start your studies with this course. You will learn how to introduce yourself and discuss and ask questions about everyday events.

CEFR European skill level

Start level: 0 – No knowledge of Finnish
Target level: A1.1 – Beginner, basics of language proficiency

Groups in autumn 2023

The registration is closed. If you have registered, we will inform you via email whether you have been accepted to the course. The next course will be organised in January 2024 and the registration will open in November 2023.

Finnish 1a, online, 12.9.–12.10.2023 FULL

Finnish 1a, on campus, 13.9.–13.10.2023 FULL

Finnish 1a, online, 18.10.–16.11.2023 FULL

Finnish as a Foreign Language 1b: basic knowledge, 3 ECTS

Do you already know the very basics of Finnish such as introducing yourself and having simple everyday discussions? Continue your studies with this course. You will learn how to communicate in spoken and written Finnish in everyday situations related to for example housing and daily routines, and gain basic vocabulary in these areas.

CEFR European skill level

Start level: A1.1 – Beginner, basics of language proficiency
Target level: A1.2 – Basics of language proficiency

Groups in autumn 2023

The course is full and the registration is closed. The course will be organised again in spring 2024.

Finnish 1b, on campus, 26.10.–14.12.2023 FULL

Finnish as a Foreign Language 2a, 2 ECTS

If you already have completed Finnish 1a and 1b or have equivalent knowledge of Finnish, this course is for you. You will learn how to communicate about travel, sickness and health, leisure and hobbies, and will be able to actively use vocabulary related to these topics.

CEFR European skill level

Start level: A1.2 – basics of language proficiency
Target level: A1.3 – You can manage simple everyday situations and write a little.

Groups in autumn 2023

The groups for autumn 2023 are full. We are now going through the enrolments. If you have already enrolled, we will inform you via email whether you have been accepted to the course. The course is offered again in the spring 2024.

Finnish 2a, online, 12.9.–12.10.2023 FULL

Finnish as a Foreign Language 2b, 3 ECTS

On this course, we will learn vocabulary related to nature, education and service situations, and practice communicating in various service situations in Finnish. After completing the course, you will be able to speak and write about your past, your studies, your future hopes and your career.

CEFR European skill level

Start level: A1.3 – You can manage simple everyday situations and write a little.
Target level: A2.1 – You can manage ordinary service situations.

Groups in autumn 2023

Enrolment period starts 1.9.2023 at 10 AM.

Finnish as a Foreign Language 3a, 2 ECTS

Let’s start negotiating in Finnish! After completing this course, you can speak about matters related to work and leisure in Finnish. You will learn how to express your opinions and justify them. You know how to act in situations requiring negotiation.

CEFR European skill level

Start level A2.1 – You can manage ordinary service situations.
Target level A2.1 – You can manage ordinary service situations.

Groups in autumn 2023

Enrolment period has ended. The course will be offered again in spring 2024.

Finnish 3a, online, 13.9.–11.10.2023

Finnish as a Foreign Language 3b, 3 ECTS

Let’s learn about work-related topics and language needed in job-seeking! This course prepares you to speak about your skills and matters related to your own field.

CEFR European skill level

Start level A2.1 - You can manage ordinary service situations.
Target level A2.2 - You understand familiar topics fairly well. You write simple language.

Groups in autumn 2023

Enrolment period starts 1.9.2023 at 10 AM.

Swedish courses, autumn 2023

Swedish as a Foreign Language 1a, 2 ECTS

Are you an absolute beginner in Swedish? Start your studies with this course. After completing the course, you will know how to introduce yourself and share basic information about yourself, your family and hobbies in Swedish.

CEFR European skill level

Target level: A1.1 – beginner, basics of language proficiency

Groups in autumn 2023

The groups are full. If you have already enrolled, we will inform you via email whether you have been accepted to the course.

Swedish 1a, online, 6.9.–9.10.2023 FULL

Swedish 1a, on campus, 6.9.–9.10.2023 FULL

Swedish as a Foreign Language 1b, 3 ECTS

Do you already know the very basics of Swedish such as introducing yourself? On this course you will learn more basic Swedish within themes like everyday life, travelling and culture. After finishing the course, you can read simple texts, share your opinions and use appropriate language in e.g. a shop situation in Swedish.

CEFR European skill level

Target level: A1.2 – basics of language proficiency

Groups in autumn 2023

Enrolment period starts 1.9.2023 at 10 AM.

Swedish as a Foreign Language 2a, 2 ECTS

Let’s learn more Swedish for service situations, everyday conversations and writing simple messages. After completing the course, you can use appropriate language in a shop and restaurant situation, talk about the weather and tell about something that happened to you in the past.

CEFR European skill level

Target level: A2.1 – You can manage ordinary service situations.

Groups coming up in autumn 2023

Enrolment period has ended. The next group will be offered in spring 2024.

Swedish 2a, online group, 6.9.–9.10.2023

Swedish as a Foreign Language 2b, 3 ECTS

After completing this course, you can talk about your body, common sicknesses and book an appointment to the doctor in Swedish. You can also share opinions, make comparisons, give road directions and read and write short texts about familiar matters.

CEFR European skill level

Target level: A2.1 – You can manage ordinary service situations.

Groups in autumn 2023

Enrolment period starts 1.9.2023 at 10 AM.

Swedish as a Foreign Language 3a, 2 ECTS

This course focuses on cultural topics. After finishing the course, you can discuss, write and read about feasts, traditions and the world’s nations. You will also learn about Swedish literature, Sweden’s and Finland’s history and the Nordic welfare model.

CEFR European skill level

Target level: A2.2 – You understand familiar topics fairly well. You write simple language.

Groups coming up in autumn 2023

Enrolment period has ended. The course is offered again in spring 2024.

Swedish 3a, online 7.9.–26.10.2023

English courses, autumn 2023

English 1: Basic, 5 ECTS

Are you an absolute beginner in English? During this course you will learn the very basics: how to introduce yourself, how to ask and answer questions, how to speak and write produce simple sentences and how to understand and use everyday expressions.

CEFR European skill level

Start level: 0 – no knowledge of English
Target level: A1.2 – basics of language proficiency

Groups in autumn 2023

Enrolment period has ended.

English 1, on campus, 1.9.–3.11.2023

English 2: Basic, 5 ECTS

Let’s continue with the basics! After completing this course, you will be able to communicate about travel, leisure and hobbies, and ask for help in emergency situations. You will understand frequently used expressions related to you and your family, employment, daily routines, shopping, etc. You can write a short, simple message, for example holiday greetings.

CEFR European skill level

Start level: A1.2 – Basics of language proficiency
Target level: A2.1 - You can manage ordinary service situations.

Groups coming up in autumn 2023

Enrolment period starts 1.9.2023 at 10 AM.

Courses coming up in spring 2024

Enrolment for spring semester will start in November. By then, you will find more information on the upcoming courses.

Finnish courses upcoming in spring 2024

Finnish as a Foreign Language 1a: introduction (online)
Finnish as a Foreign Language 1b: basic knowledge (online)
Finnish as a Foreign Language 2a (online)
Finnish as a Foreign Language 2b (online)
Finnish as a Foreign Language 3a (online)
Finnish as a Foreign Language 3b (online)
Finnish as a Foreign Language 4: (online)

Swedish courses upcoming in spring 2024

Swedish as a Foreign Language 1a (online)
Swedish as a Foreign Language 1b (online)
Swedish as a Foreign Language 2a (online)
Swedish as a Foreign Language 2b (online)
Swedish as a Foreign Language 3b (online)
Business Communication in Swedish (online)

English courses upcoming in spring 2024

English 1: Basic (on campus)
English 2: Basic (on campus)
English 3: Pre-Intermediate (on campus)
English 4: Pre-Intermediate (on campus)
Strengthen Your English Skills (on campus)
Studying and Working in Finland – Future Employability Skills (on campus)

Frequently asked questions

Should I study Finnish, Swedish or both?

It depends on your career and life plans. Both Finnish and Swedish are official languages in Finland. If you have the time to invest for both languages, it is definitely an asset in the job markets. In Finland in general, Finnish is the majority language. However, Swedish is widely spoken in the Ostrobothnia region where 50,6 % of the population is Swedish-speaking.

How to choose the right course for me?

See the course descriptions. If you are a total beginner in the language, start with the first course (Finnish/Swedish 1a or English 1). If you have studied the language before, choose a course based on your skill level. Read more about CEFR: European language skill levels.

Our team is always happy to help, please contact us: simhe@lists.uwasa.fi

How can I enrol to the courses?

The enrolment is done by filling out an online form. Click the link button below the course description and you will be redirected to Studyinfo.fi. There, you will find the details of the course and the link to the online form. The online form is available when the enrolment is open. Please note that the number of participants is limited. After you have filled out the form, we will you will be informed whether you have been accepted to the course.

Why is attendance and active participation required?

The learning activities are designed so that you get a lot of practice with your peers. The more you attend the classes the more you get to practice and the more you learn. The lessons are not recorded.

Do I need to buy a book or other materials for the course?

Usually not, we mostly use online materials. You will receive more information about the materials from the teacher after you have been accepted to the course. Literature can be borrowed, for example, from Tritonia Academic Library.

These are not the right courses for me. Where can I find more options?

You can find information about language courses and self-study resources from the Welcome Office webpage.

What is the difference between SIMHE courses and Linguavaasa courses?

SIMHE language courses are open for all internationals living in Finland – you don’t have to be a student to enrol. The courses are targeted especially for those who don’t have the opportunity to study the languages as part of degree studies.

Linguavaasa courses are offered only for students at the following universities: Hanken School of Economics, Vamk University of Applied Sciences, Novia University of Applied Sciences, Åbo Akademi University, University of Helsinki (Vaasa unit) and University of Vaasa.

I have been selected to a course. How can I access Moodle?

See further instructions about Moodle.