The University of Vaasa’s Finnish language summer course connects students from around the world

The students have been selected from various universities and come from countries such as Italy, Germany, the United States, Japan, and China. Their language proficiency is at the A2 level, and most of them study Finnish either as a major or minor, or have a personal interest in the language and culture, often due to family background.

Hands-On Teaching and Communal Learning

The course is taught by university lecturers Sanna Machaal and Susanna Mantila, who have designed the instruction to be workshop-based and interactive. The course emphasizes speaking, listening comprehension, and everyday language use.

– Our goal is for students to hear and speak Finnish as much as possible throughout the course. For example, they write and perform dialogues, give short speeches, and interview each other, explains course director Machaal.

In Mantila’s group, the focus is on reading comprehension and writing, while Machaal’s group emphasizes speaking and performance. Exercises are often done in pairs or small groups, supporting both language learning and group cohesion.

– This year’s group is very calm, smart, and engaged. It’s been a joy to see how much interest there is in the Finnish language around the world, Mantila says.

Cultural Program Includes Archipelago and Sauna

In addition to language learning, the course offers a diverse cultural program. Students have visited the Ostrobothnian Museum and taken a day trip to the Kvarken Archipelago in Raippaluoto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The program also includes the chance to enjoy traditional Finnish fish soup and relax in a sauna.

– With the tutors, we’ve explored the ruins of Old Vaasa and played traditional Finnish yard games. The leisure program is an important part of the course, as it supports language learning in a relaxed environment, says teaching assistant Kaisla Törmälä.

The course includes two student tutors who organize free-time activities and help students with everyday situations. This fosters a sense of community and lowers the threshold for using Finnish outside the classroom.

Students’ Stories Reflect Joy of Learning and Community

According to the teachers, the atmosphere has been warm and encouraging. The students have quickly gotten to know each other and formed a close-knit community.

– It’s wonderful to see how students support and help one another. Everything has gone smoothly, and we’ve had sunshine and warmth every day of the course, Machaal says happily.

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In the photo, on the left is Rosalia Cimafonte, in the middle is Melissa Pradel, and on the right is Sofia Valencia.

The students themselves have also been motivated and enthusiastic. They especially appreciate the practical teaching and the opportunity to use Finnish in real-life situations.

– I joined the course because I’m considering master’s studies in Finland. This has been a great opportunity to get to know a Finnish university and culture, says Sofia Valencia, an American student of politics and Scandinavian studies.

Rosalia Cimafonte, an Italian student of language and literature, studies Finnish as her major and is particularly interested in grammar.

– Finnish grammar is challenging, but that’s exactly what makes it so fascinating. It’s much more interesting than, say, Spanish grammar,” she laughs.

Melissa Pradel from Germany, who majors in Finnish language and culture, is delighted by both her language progress and the new friendships she’s made.

– It’s been great to meet other students and see the beautiful city of Vaasa. I’m especially looking forward to the trip to Raippaluoto, she says.

The summer course is not just a language course – it’s a holistic experience that combines learning, culture, and international community.