My Oulu: Finnish language studies help immigrants to integrate

Lecturer Anne Koskela has served as the University of Oulu’s Finnish as Second Language trailblazer since the mid-1990s.

The university’s Equality and Diversity Award’s statement expresses gratitude to Koskela for inspiring many language students to continue their Finnish studies and for encouraging them to use Finnish continually and develop their language skills actively.

The University of Oulu offers students and staff Finnish language studies from beginner level to advanced level.

There is a high demand for Finnish language studies at the University since a fourth of the work community of approximately 4 100 members are not citizens of Finland, and a tenth of the 14 000 degree and doctoral students are not Finnish citizens. Furthermore, over 500 exchange students arrive at the University every year.

“The courses are popular and, for example, about one thousand students finish the beginner course annually. More and more international students and staff members continue learning Finnish beyond the beginner level”, explains the University of Oulu’s Centre for Language and Communication Lingua’s Director Jaana Isohätälä in the University’s statement.

Starting from the next academic year, the University of Oulu’s international Bachelor’s and Master’s programs will include Finnish language studies which will support the integration of international students. The integration of families to the local culture is considered important in the University of Oulu since Finnish language studies are offered to the spouses of staff members.

Finnish language courses are also offered to students outside of the University of Oulu. The University is piloting coaching education for immigrants with top-up funding. The education supports the language skills of immigrants and their gravitation towards Finnish universities.

The University of Oulu has granted the Equality and diversity award since 2009.