From Learner to Teacher: Iiris on Learning Finnish as an Adult

Hi, I'm Iiris, a Finnish language teacher from Japan. I hold a Master's degree in Finnish and Other Finno-Ugric Languages from the University of Turku, and I teach Finnish to international students through online lessons and educational materials.

I've been interested in Finland since I was a child, and I first tried learning Finnish on my own in junior high school. I quickly got overwhelmed by the grammar and gave up.

I started learning Finnish seriously at 22, when I went to the University of Helsinki as a visiting student. I took Finnish classes out of curiosity, but I gradually became fascinated by the language. After returning to Japan, I kept studying on my own, passed the YKI test, and in 2021 entered a Finnish-language Master's programme at the University of Turku. I graduated in 2025.

The hardest parts were building my vocabulary, understanding spoken Finnish in everyday situations, and responding spontaneously in conversations.

I actually didn't find the grammar especially difficult, because I enjoyed understanding how the language worked. But knowing the grammar and communicating naturally were two very different things. What really helped was more exposure to Finnish in everyday life and practising listening and speaking consistently. Gradually, I started responding naturally without having to think about every word.

One big factor was taking a preparation course designed for the YKI test. It helped me get familiar with the exam format and the kinds of tasks to expect.

For the speaking section, I practised every day by choosing different topics and expressing my opinions in Finnish, so I became comfortable speaking spontaneously.

I also used Finnish as much as possible in daily life. With the help of my Finnish friends, I made a conscious effort to communicate mainly in Finnish instead of switching to English. Since YKI includes many everyday topics, this practical experience helped a lot.

Because I started as an adult learner, I understand the challenges learners face, especially with vocabulary, spoken Finnish and speaking spontaneously. That's why I combine clear, logical grammar explanations with plenty of practical speaking and listening exercises.

I also know how important it is to feel comfortable making mistakes. I try to create a supportive environment where students feel confident enough to speak without worrying about being perfect. My goal is not just to help students understand how Finnish works, but to help them use it with confidence in everyday life.

Finnish is not as impossible as it might seem at first. It can feel overwhelming, but it's also a very logical language, and once you start recognising the patterns, things become much easier.

Try not to focus too much on what you still can't do. Progress isn't always easy to notice, but even if you feel stuck, you're probably improving little by little. If you've been focusing mainly on grammar, try spending more time listening and speaking, even with simple sentences.

Most importantly, consistency matters more than perfection. You don't need to study for hours every day. I started learning Finnish seriously as an adult and eventually became a Finnish teacher, so I really believe significant progress is possible, whenever you start.

Iiris is a Finnish teacher from Japan with a Master's degree in Finnish from the University of Turku. She has taught Finnish to international students since 2023 and offers private online lessons, a Udemy course from beginner to B1, and short grammar lessons on YouTube.

• Free 30-minute trial session: book here
• Private lessons: learnfinnishwithiiris.com/private-finnish-lessons
• Website: learnfinnishwithiiris.com
• Udemy: Iiris's Finnish courses (beginner to B1)
• YouTube: @learnfinnishwithiiris