How to learn Finnish in an English-language work environment?

Daniela Untersteiner praises the fact that, when moving to Finland, you can manage by speaking English only – it helps you get started while learning Finnish. People easily switch from Finnish to English in conversation, and official business can also be conducted in English.

Daniela works in the startup sector in a company with English as the working language. She completed an international English-language business degree in a Finnish university of applied sciences, but would have liked more support from the institution for learning Finnish.

“At least when I was studying, language courses were not offered up to a very advanced level. Courses offered by other educational institutions didn’t match well with my studies.”  

Over time, it may be difficult to take the next step in integration and start to speak Finnish everywhere. Through her hobby, Daniela has received a lot of support and encouragement.  

Hobbies in support of language learning  

Working long days, Daniela regrets that she has not always had the opportunity to take Finnish courses organised in the evening.

Luckily, she has been able to practise the language through sports – Daniela started going to the gym and attended Kwan Nyom Hapkido classes, which were held entirely in Finnish.  

“Later, I was admitted to children’s hapkido classes as an assistant trainer. My Finnish was not always that pretty, but I was able to help children in their training. They gave very direct feedback if they didn’t understand me,” Daniela reminisces.  

Even though the language of Daniela’s work environment is English, she still gets to use Finnish on a weekly basis. She is enhancing her language skills through the Finnish-language hobby community. 

Language courses during working hours?  

Daniela would like to see language skills considered in the workplace as a skill similar to other employee skills that can be continually developed and learnt. People completing, for example, a master’s degree, usually go on a study leave or work shorter hours, but language courses are typically taken in your free time.  

“Learning Finnish is like another job,” Daniela says.  

Interview and text by Lyyra Virtanen.

Listen to an excerpt from Daniela Untersteiner's interview on YouTube: