Finnish and Swedish in Espoo
Local information
Select your municipality in order to see information about local services when browsing the site.
Language courses
Through the Finnishcourses.fi service, you can look for a Finnish or Swedish course that suits you in Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo or Kauniainen. In addition, the service includes online courses. In Espoo, language courses are organised by Espoo Adult Education Centre Omnia, Espoo General Upper Secondary School for Adults and Aalto University Open University, for example.
If you need help in finding a suitable Finnish or Swedish course, please contact Omnia’s career counselling services. Services are provided in Finnish and English. You can also participate with your own interpreter.
tel. 092 319 8360
email: info@omnia.fi (Link opens default mail program)
Have a discussion in Finnish
Language cafés are organised in libraries in Espoo where you can practise speaking Finnish. Discussions take place in Finnish at Language Cafés so it would be good if you already know some Finnish. Language cafés are free of charge. Language cafés: Entresse Library, Iso Omena Library, Lippulaiva Library, Sello Library and Tapiola Library.
The dates and times of language cafés can be found on the website of the Helmet libraries. Choose the event type in Finnish kielikahvilat or in English Language cafés and discussion groups.
Let’s Read Together
Espoo also organises several Let’s Read Together groups, some of which are only for women.
Kivenkolo Community Centre
You can also hone your Finnish skills in Kivenkolo Community Centre in Espoonlahti. Kivenkolo hosts various recreational activities.
Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County
Kivenkolo Community CenterLink redirects to another websiteOther discussion groups
If you are a customer of the City of Espoo’s Employment Services, you can ask about Finnish and Swedish language courses from Espoo Employment Services.
Koto-Espoo offers Finnish language courses for parents who are on family leave. You can take your child with you to the course.
Read more: Studying Finnish
City of Espoo
Koto-EspooLink redirects to another websiteEspoon monikulttuuriset lapset ja nuoret ry
Activities for children, young people and familiesLink redirects to another websiteNational Certificate of Language Proficiency
Espoo provides the opportunity to obtain the National Certificate of Language Proficiency (yleinen kielitutkinto) in Finnish or Swedish. In Espoo, the certificate exams are held by Axxell, Luksia and Omnia.
The website of the Finnish National Agency for Education (Opetushallitus) features a search engine for certificate exams. You can use it to check where and when you can obtain the certificate.
Read more: Official certificate of language proficiency