Learning Finnish can feel very different depending on your goals. You may need Finnish for everyday life, want to communicate more confidently at work, prepare for the YKI test, or simply feel that you understand a lot but still find speaking difficult.
Group courses and self-study can be excellent ways to learn Finnish. However, sometimes you need something more personal.
Private Finnish lessons give you the opportunity to focus on the Finnish that you actually need and to learn at a pace that suits you.
Why choose private Finnish lessons?
One of the biggest advantages of private lessons is that the teaching can be adapted to your individual needs.
Two students at the same Finnish language level may have completely different goals. One may need to practise speaking with colleagues at work, while another wants to improve writing for the YKI test. Someone else may need help understanding Finnish grammar or simply want more confidence in everyday conversations.
In private Finnish lessons, we can focus on the areas that are most useful for you.
Depending on your goals, lessons can include:
- speaking and conversation practice
- Finnish grammar
- pronunciation
- vocabulary for everyday situations
- workplace Finnish
- reading and listening comprehension
- writing
- YKI test preparation
The lesson plan does not have to follow a fixed course programme. Your goals and progress can guide what we practise.
Private Finnish lessons online
You do not need to live in a particular city to study with a private Finnish teacher. Online lessons make it possible to learn Finnish from home or another convenient location, wherever you are.
During an online lesson, we can work with texts, exercises, pictures, audio materials and speaking tasks just as we would in a classroom. Screen sharing also makes it easy to work on exercises and materials together.
Most importantly, an online private lesson gives you plenty of time to use Finnish yourself.
For many learners, this is particularly valuable. You may already study vocabulary and grammar independently but have fewer opportunities to actually speak Finnish and receive individual feedback.
Can private lessons help with speaking Finnish?
Yes. Speaking is one of the areas where individual teaching can be particularly useful.
Many Finnish learners understand much more Finnish than they feel able to speak. You may know grammar and vocabulary, but when a real conversation begins, finding the right words and forming sentences quickly can still be difficult.
Private Finnish lessons provide a supportive environment to practise speaking. We can slow the conversation down, repeat difficult situations, work on useful expressions and gradually make the tasks more challenging. You also receive immediate feedback on your Finnish.
The goal is not to speak perfect Finnish before you start speaking. The goal is to become more confident by actually using the language.
Private Finnish lessons for YKI preparation
Private lessons can also be useful if you are preparing for the YKI test, especially if you already know which areas you need to improve.
For example, you may want to practise speaking tasks, learn how to structure written answers or receive feedback on your current language level.
YKI preparation is not simply about memorising model answers. The test measures your ability to use Finnish in different situations, so effective preparation should also develop your overall language skills.
In individual lessons, we can identify the areas that need the most attention and focus the practice on them.
If you prefer to prepare independently, Waltari Education also offers online self-study options for YKI preparation. Private lessons and self-study can also be combined.
Private Finnish lessons for work
Private Finnish lessons can also be tailored to your profession and the situations in which you need Finnish at work.
General Finnish courses teach important everyday language, but the vocabulary and communication situations you encounter at work may be very different. In private lessons, we can focus on the language that is relevant to your own working life.
You might need Finnish for:
conversations with colleagues customer service meetings emails and written communication professional vocabulary understanding instructions small talk at work
- customer service
- conversations with colleagues
- meetings
- emails and written communication
- professional vocabulary
- understanding instructions
- small talk
Instead of studying vocabulary that has little relevance to your daily life, we can practise situations that you are likely to encounter yourself.
Waltari Education also provides Finnish language training for companies when several employees at the same workplace need Finnish training.
Private lessons or a Finnish course – which should I choose?
There is no single answer. The best way to learn Finnish depends on your goals, schedule and preferred way of studying.
A Finnish course may be a good choice if you enjoy studying with other learners, want a structured programme and have a schedule that fits the course.
Self-study can be a good option if you need more flexibility or want to study regularly at your own pace.
Private Finnish lessons are particularly useful when you want individual feedback, plenty of speaking practice or teaching that focuses closely on your own goals.
You can also combine these approaches. For example, you can study independently between lessons and use your time with a private Finnish teacher for speaking practice, questions and individual feedback.
How often should I take private Finnish lessons?
This depends on your goals, available time and how much Finnish you use between lessons.
Taking more lessons does not automatically mean faster progress. Regular practice outside lessons is also important.
For many students, one regular private lesson combined with independent study can work very well. Others benefit from more intensive lessons for a limited period, particularly when preparing for a specific goal such as the YKI test.
The most important thing is consistency. Finnish develops through regular contact with the language and opportunities to actually use it.
Looking for a private Finnish teacher?
I’m Riikka Waltari, founder of Waltari Education. I have a Master’s degree in Education and I am a qualified Finnish language subject teacher and special education teacher.
In my private Finnish lessons, the teaching is planned according to your current level, goals and individual learning needs. We can focus on general Finnish, speaking, grammar, workplace communication or YKI preparation.
Waltari Education also offers online self-study courses and Finnish language training for companies.
If you are looking for a private Finnish teacher, you can explore my private Finnish lessons and contact me to discuss your goals.