Flexible ways for language learning

Self-access language courses

Self-access language courses are completed independently under the guidance of teacher tutors. They are equivalent to normal Language Centre courses, and you can also start many of them in the middle of a term.

For more information:

• KK-ESP104 Refresher course in basic Spanish (CEFR A1), 4 cr 
• KK-ESP201 Intermediate Spanish 1 (CEFR A2), 3 cr
• KK-ESP203 Intermediate Spanish 2 (CEFR A2), 3 cr
• KK-ITA104 Intermediate Italian 1 (CEFR A1), 3 cr 
• KK-ITA202 Intermediate Italian 2 (CEFR A2), 3 cr 
• KK-ITA305 Intermediate Italian 4 (CEFR B1), 2 cr 
• KK-RUO414 Skönlitteratur på egen hand - Independent, Literary Studies in Swedish (CEFR B2), 1 cr 
• KK-RUO415 Yrkesinriktade självständiga studier i svenska - Independent, Professionally-Oriented Studies in Swedish (CEFR B2), 2 cr 
• KK-RAN103 Refresher Course in Basic French - Tutorassisted (CEFR A1), 2 cr 
• KK-RAN204 Refresher Course in French - Tutorassisted (CEFR A2), 2 cr
• KK-SAK310 Hören und Verstehen (Selbstlernkurs) - German listening comprehension independently (CEFR B1), 1 cr 
• KK-VEN203 Russian Grammar - Self-Access Learning (CEFR A2), 3 cr 
• KK-VEN204 Lue ja ymmärrä venäjää - itseopiskelukurssi (CEFR A2), 3 cr
• KK-VEN304 Pismennaja kommunikatsija – Writing Skills in Russian 2 (CEFR B1), 2 cr 

Online courses

For more information:

• KK-ENKAIKKI Academic and Professional Communication in English 1 & 2 (CEFR B2), 4 cr
• KK-ESP102 Spanish grammar - online course (CEFR A1), 2 cr 
• KK-ESP209 Understanding spoken Spanish - Online Course (CEFR A2), 2 cr
• KK-FIN021OP Online Course in Finnish as Second National Language 1 (CEFR A2), 1 cr
• KK-FIN022OP Online Course in Finnish as Second National Language 1 (CEFR A2), 2 cr
• KK-FIN041OP Online Course in Finnish as Second National Language 2 (CEFR B2), 1 cr 
• KK-FIN042OP Online course in Finnish as Second National Language 2 (CEFR B2), 2 cr
• KK-ITA103 Romolo - Practical Italian Online 1 (CEFR A1), 3 cr
• KK-ITA201 Remo - Practical Italian Online 2 (CEFR A2), 3 cr
• KK-ITA205 Cicerone - Italian Grammar Online (CEFR A2), 3 cr 
• KK-ITA207 Ascoltando 1 - Listening Module in Italian 1 - Online Course (CEFR A2), 1 cr
• KK-ITA208 Ascoltando 2 - Listening Module in Italian 2 - Online Course (CEFR A2), 1 cr
• KK-RAN308 Grammaire en ligne 1 - French Grammar Online on Advanced Level 1 (CEFR B1), 2 cr 
• KK-RAN309 Grammaire en ligne 2 - French Grammar Online on Advanced Level 2 (CEFR B1), 2 cr
• KK-RAN310 Compréhension orale - Online Course in Listening Comprehension in French (CEFR B1), 2 cr 
• KK-RUO204 Nätrep - Refresher Online Course in Swedish Grammar (CEFR A2), 2 cr
• KK-SAK103 German Grammar 1 - Online Course (CEFR A2), 2 cr 
• KK-SAK201 German Grammar 2 - Online Course (CEFR A2), 2 cr
• KK-SAK312 Virtuelle Schreibwerkstatt (CEFR B1), 2 cr
• KK-VEN001 Get Started Learning Russian Language - Online Course, 1 cr
• KK-VEN103 Russian Grammar - Online course (CEFR A1), 2 cr

Blended learning courses

Blended learning courses are completed under the guidance of the course teacher, in small groups and through independent study. The schedule is flexible, as there are fewer meetings in the classroom than in a normal course.

For more information:

• KK-SAK001 German for Beginners 1 through Blended Learning, 3 cr
• KK-SAK101 German for Beginners 2 through Blended Learning (CEFR A1), 3 cr
• KK-SAK204 Intermediate German 1 through Blended Learning (CEFR A2), 3 cr
• KK-SAK206 Intermediate German 2 through Blended Learning (CEFR A2), 3 cr 

Autonomous learning modules (ALMS) courses are one option of fulfilling the foreign and 2nd national language requirement in the degree. They are based on individual learning needs, learner reflection and self-evaluation. ALMS courses are available in English and Swedish.

Other autonomous learning courses

• KK-RAN311 CLARA (Cours de Langue en Autonomie pour Réactiver son Apprentissage) - French Course in Autonomy (CEFR B1), 2 cr 
• KK-SAK306 IDEAL - Individuelles Deutsch Autonomes Lernprogram - Autonomous German learning course (CEFR B1), 3 cr

You can study languages online irrespective of your schedule and location. Check out the language links and Language Centre online materials below.

Language links

Language links is a portal of a selection of useful links for language study. They include exercises and tests, dictionaries and links to various audio materials. In addition to materials on your own field of study, check out other links close to your field of study. Many links can be interdisciplinary.

Online materials

Language testing systems

• Dialang

Online material (produced) by Language Centre

• English: Reading and Writing in English for Academic and Professional Purposes
• Italian: Italian links
• Language learning: Kaleidoscope
• Swedish: Språkhjälpen, Papegojan
• German: Deutsche virtuelle Grammatik
• Finnish: Kielijelppi, Tavataan taas!

There are course assistants in most of Language Centre courses. Course assistants are international exchange or degree students who act as native peers for the local students learning assistant's native language. They work together with Language Centre teachers. You can brush up your language skills with the help of course assistants. They help language learners e.g. with pronunciation, group work and discussion skills both in and out of the classroom. Feel free to ask them for help in other language learning matters as well.

If you are interested in becoming a course assistant yourself or would like to know more, you can read more about assistants in language courses on the Course Assistant Programme page.

The basic idea of ALICE courses (2 ECTS) is to provide two language learners who speak different native languages the opportunity to learn about each other’s language and culture in an interactive way.Besides learning each other’s language, the two learners get an insight into each other’s cultures and customs and receive information about the practicalities of everyday life.

Language Centre events are open for all University of Helsinki students and staff as well as collaborating high school teachers and students. LC events are informal gatherings and they yield no academic credits. You can read more about the events from the Support for Teaching and Learning unit's blog, or contact coordinator Merijn van Bruggen.

Multilingual workshop

Multilingual LC workshops create a relaxed opportunity to discuss cultural issues from different perspectives and bring international and local students together. LC events offer the participants a chance to brush up language skills and learn more about intercultural communication and different cultures. During the workshops, the discussions take place in different language tables.

In autumn 2021, multilingual workshops will take place on 14 October and 25 November from 17-19.

The workshop is hosted by international students assisting in Language Centre courses. The workshop starts with a general introduction, after which the theme and freely selected topics of the target language are discussed in breakout rooms. A general discussion of the main points from the breakout room discussions is the last part of the workshop.