Language Centre offers a wide range of communication and language courses this autumn!

During the first teaching period, the Language Centre offers both compulsory and optional courses in a range of languages, delivered through a variety of study modes, including onsite, remote and online learning.

It is a good idea to schedule the language studies included in your degree early in your studies. If you are starting a new language from scratch, it is best to begin in the first teaching period, as introductory courses generally commence at the start of the academic year. Explore the full range of the Language Centre’s language and communication courses in the Studies Service and find the options that best suit your needs. The Language Centre also offers language and communication programmes worth 15 or 25 credits.

Greater choice in foreign language studies

Starting in autumn 2026, University of Helsinki students will be able to select from language courses provided by Aalto University, the University of the Arts Helsinki and Hanken School of Economics. A new collaboration network (information in Finnish) will see these Helsinki Metropolitan Area universities open their course provision to students across all partner universities. The collaboration will expand students’ opportunities to participate in courses, with greater flexibility in how and when they study. Students can register for language courses at the other network universities through the cross-institutional studies service, and browse the courses on offer on each university’s website.

Courses offered in the first teaching period include:

Arabic

Arabic 1 (KK-ARA001,[KS1] 2 cr, contact teaching)

English

Preparatory English: Reading, Listening and Speaking (KK-ENG301, CEFR B1, 2 cr, remote teaching). This is a relaxed and easy-going chance for students to refresh their English skills and get used to chatting in English in a supportive environment.

In Advanced English: Feedback on Speaking (KK-ENG519, CEFR C1, 1 cr, online teaching) you will participate in a 45-minute, one-on-one meeting with a teacher to develop your speaking skills. You can get help with a presentation, job interview, or simply practise speaking. Students of all levels are welcome!

In Advanced English: Feedback on Writing (KK-ENG504, CEFR C1, 1 cr, remote teaching), you will participate in a 45-minute, one-on-one meeting with a teacher to develop your writing skills. To participate, you should be actively writing, editing or planning a text. All genres are welcome!

Are you writing your master’s thesis? In Academic Writing 2: Process and Feedback, Master’s Students, Viikki and Kumpula programmes (KK-ENG502, CEFR C1, 2 cr, online teaching), you will create a personal writing plan and develop your writing and editing skills while making progress on your thesis. Throughout the course, you will receive support and feedback from your teacher and peers.

Italian

Italian 3 (KK-ITA217, CEFR A2.1, 3 cr, blended teaching)

Italiano 5 – Italian 5 (KK-ITA306, CEFR B1.1, 4 cr, contact teaching)

Ascoltando 1 – Listening Module in Italian 1 (KK-ITA218, CEFR A2.1, 2 cr, online teaching)[KS2]

Ascoltando 2 – Listening Module in Italian 2 (KK-ITA208, CEFR A2.2, 1 cr, online teaching)

Italian Grammar Online 2 (KK-ITA212, CEFR A2.2, 2 cr, online teaching)

Expand Your Vocabulary in Italian – Online Course (KK-ITA215, CEFR A2.1, 2 cr, online teaching)

Reading Comprehension in Italian – Online Course (KK-ITA211, CEFR A2.2, 1 cr, online teaching)

Korean

Korean 1 (KK-KOR001, CEFR A1.3, 3 cr, remote teaching)
Korean 5 (KK-KOR202, CEFR A2.2, 3 cr, remote teaching)

Portuguese

Portuguese 1 (KK-POR001, CEFR A1, 3 cr, contact teaching)

Swedish

Looking to refresh your Swedish skills ahead of your faculty’s compulsory course? The Language Centre has several preparatory courses coming up, and further opportunities to brush up on your Swedish will be available after the compulsory faculty course included in your degree. For more information on Swedish studies, see the Studies Service.

Remember also to take the Swedish starting level test (in Moodle) before embarking on the Swedish course for your degree.

Estonian

Estonian 1 (KK-VIR001, CEFR A1, 3 cr, remote teaching)

Finnish as a first language

Remedial Course in Academic Writing (Finnish) (KK-AI016, 2 cr, blended teaching)

Bachelor’s Thesis Writing (Finnish) (KK-AI017, 2 cr, remote teaching)

Academic Writing (Finnish) (KK-AIAKTE2OP, 2 cr, online teaching) is intended for accomplished writers: students who were awarded a grade of E or L in the Finnish mother tongue test in the matriculation examination, or who are otherwise skilled and independent writers.

Additional information

If you have questions about course content or any other matters, please contact the course teachers. If you need assistance in choosing the right course and assessing your skill level, you can also get in touch with the Language Centre’s tutors; their office hours are available in the Studies Service.

We wish you all the best for the new academic year and look forward to welcoming you to language and communication studies at the Language Centre!