Did you know that tunturi is a loanword from Sami, and that it shares its origins with the word tundra? That international word in turn has its roots in Samoyedic languages, from which it has spread via Russian to English and other languages. How about this: did you know that Finnish is studied in over a hundred universities all over the world?

Finnish is often viewed as a strange and difficult language – but is that an accurate evaluation? What is it about Finnish that makes it truly unique language? And what significance does the language have as a part of the Finnish identity, and what role did language play in the construction of that identity? Do you know how to write witty texts, analytic reports or concise news yet? If you choose to study Finnish, you will learn the answers to these as well as many other questions. In particular, the degree programme focuses on analysing Finnish through various linguistic approaches; studying language structures, changes and variations, as well as the applications of language in communication.

In the degree programme in Finnish Language Subject Teacher Training , the Finnish language is the main subject of studies. The teacher training is composed of a compulsory 60-credit minor (Subject Teacher’s Pedagogical studies) which are typically taken during the spring of the third year of studies and the autumn of the fourth year. The Subject Teacher’s Pedagogical studies consist of general education courses, subject-specific didactic studies and a practical training period. The studies address issues such becoming a teacher, teaching and the different aspects of a teacher’s job. The aim of the studies is to establish a foundation upon which the student may accumulate expertise in the field. The pedagogical studies provide the equivalent state-mandated qualifications for teaching posts at primary and secondary schools, as well as other educational institutions in Finland. In addition to compulsory Pedagogical s