You can also study Finnish independently, through the Internet or with the help of textbooks and CD-ROMs, for example. You can ask for advice on self-study from the Settlement Association of Häme or the Eastern or Western Community Centre.

Eastern Community Centre
Kanervatie 1
Hämeenlinna

Western Community Centre
Eeronkuja 5
Hämeenlinna

There is a range of Finnish courses and other materials online that will help you to learn Finnish.

For example, the following courses are available online:

• Vanajaveden Opisto: Osaan suomea. The Vanajavesi Education Center in Hämeenlinna: videos and grammar
• Supisuomea: vocabulary (YLE)
• Supisuomea: videos(YLE)
• Selkouutiset (YLE) – news in easy Finnish
• Suomen kielen alkeet – basics of Finnish
• 65 sanat
• Kotisuomessa 
• Ammatillisia sanastoja. Studying materials for immigrants by North Karelia Adult Education Institute.
• Valtioneuvoston kanslian eri alojen sanastoja – dictionaries of various fields
• Hauska tavata! Opin suomea. (Suomen Kustannusyhdistys). Learning the basics of Finnish in a pleasant, intuitive way. The book introduces you to everyday situations that help you learn how to greet people and introduce yourself and teaches you numbers and time expressions. Clear pattern phrases encourage speaking. There is a glossary in Finnish, Swedish, English and Arabic at the end of the book
• Suomi taskussa (Suomi Taskussa Oy). Listen and look at how to act in different situations in Finnish and start practising.
• Finnish for immigrants (WordDive Oy). The course helps you learn the basics of Finnish and includes everyday words and phrases.
• Ymmärrä suomea– course in reading comprehension.
• Selkosilta– studying materials for professionals in various fields (care, cleaning, construction, metal, logistics)
• Opi-suomea

ONLINE DICTIONARIES

• Kielitoimistonsanakirja
• Redfox sanakirja
• fi.bab.la
• Sanakirja
• Ilmainen sanakirja
• Selkosilta– picture and video dictionary for different professions
• Dictionary of the Finnish National Agency for Education
• Kuvasanakirja– you can also listen to
• Rakentaja– vocabulary for the construction field

See InfoFinland for more Finnish language courses.