Finnish-language Assistant Programme

Finnish-language assistants support international students in learning Finnish, both in the Finnish language courses of the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Arts and in informal situations for language learning, such as language clubs and workshops.

The programme gives Finnish-language assistants the chance to become acquainted with other students and familiarise themselves with language teaching and learning. Through their contribution, assistants will have the opportunity to gain international experience in a multicultural and multilingual environment, sharing their personal language and cultural knowledge with others. 

You can read more about the Course Assistant Programme for international students. For the description of the Finnish-language Assistant Programme, see Sisu. 

As a Finnish-language assistant, students learn to 

• Describe their language and culture 
• Provide feedback 
• Engage in multilingual interaction 
• Apply presentation and collaboration skills 
• Plan and guide their work and reflect on their learning 

The Finnish-language Assistant Programme is intended for students of all faculties of the University of Helsinki who are interested in language teaching and learning, and who have fluent oral and written skills in the Finnish language (Finnish as a first language or skills at least at level B2/C1). 

Participation in the programme does not require prior studies in languages, pedagogical studies or teaching experience. Finnish-language assistants must be interested in language teaching and learning, and be prepared to actively contribute to activities related to language learning and to meet other students. 

Finnish-language assistants support students in learning Finnish, including those completing Finnish language courses. The role and duties of assistants vary, and they can support language learning in the classroom, in online teaching as well as in extracurricular activities. 

Finnish-language assistants can 

• Serve as hosts in discussion groups, language café sessions, etc. 
• Help with practising pronunciation and oral language skills 
• Support students in groupwork situations 
• Take part in the organisation of multilingual workshops at the Language Centre 
• Give presentations on, for example, their studies and interests 

The coordinator of the Finnish-language Assistant Programme and course teachers together with the assistants agree on their role, workload and duties. 

Students who wish to receive 5 credits for their activities as a Finnish-language assistant must complete a written assignment in the form of an essay that reports on their work and reflects on their learning. The writing of the essay will be arranged separately with the coordinating teacher or the coordinator for language teaching.  

Finnish-language assistants can earn 1 to 5 credits (1 credit equals roughly 27 hours of work) as well as a certificate of their contribution. The number of credits depends on the amount of time students spend on the activities. The number of available positions varies by course and term. 

Applications for the Finnish-language Assistant Programme are submitted by using an application form. The application period commences at the beginning of each term. Not all applicants will necessarily be included in the activities. 

The application period for the Finnish-language Assistant Programme for the Autumn term 2025 is running right now and ends on 31.8.2025 at 23.59. 

Please apply by using this (Finnish) form.

If you have any questions, please contact programme coordinator Nina Sulonen. 

The Finnish club is for University of Helsinki students of all language levels! The clubs offer fun activities and discussion that focus on different elements of Finnish, from conversation, pronunciation, culture and more. Club sessions are hosted by Finnish-language assistants.

Participating in these club sessions is completely voluntary and will yield no ECTS credits for the participants. You can pop by once or twice or join all the sessions if you like. 

The Finnish club meetings take place every Tuesday at 16.15-17.45 at the Language Centre (Fabianinkatu 26), room 318, 3rd floor. 

The meeting schedule for this Autumn term 2025:

• Tue 7.10
• Tue 14.10
• Tue 21.10 gap week -  no club meeting
• Tue 28.10
• Tue 4.11
• Tue 11.11
• Tue 18.11 no club meeting, Language Centre's traditional Multilingual workshop - those willing, let's meet at the workshop's Finnish table!
• Tue 25.11 - last club meeting with the pre-christmas-party theme and potluck

In case you have any questions regarding the club activity, do not hesitate to reach out to Langugae Centre's specialist Nina Sulonen.

Tervetuloa Suomi-kerhoon!