How learning Finnish can boost your career in Finland

Even small steps can make a difference, whether that means learning basic phrases, understanding simple instructions, or recognising common words. These early skills support smoother everyday communication and help newcomers feel more included at work and in the community.

Finnish is known for being a language that takes time and patience to learn, especially for speakers whose mother tongues are very different. This reputation can sometimes make people hesitant to begin. Yet the challenge is not insurmountable.

You don’t need fluency in Finnish or even Swedish, Finland’s second official language, to benefit. Using a few words can open doors socially, help build friendships, and open the door to understanding cultural cues in daily life.

Many multinational firms in Finland are incredibly diverse and communicate entirely in English, and even smaller IT companies often use English for both daily communication and technical work.

In fields like healthcare, education, and social services, employers may require proficiency in Finnish or Swedish. These fields are considered regulated professions, meaning qualification and language requirements are set by law.

Newcomers often participate in Integration Training, a government-supported program that combines language studies with working-life skills to support employment and cultural orientation.

Both public and private organizations are also adopting language-aware practices to ensure employees with developing Finnish skills can still participate fully, such as using plain language or allowing the flexible use of English and Finnish in meetings.

You can combine formal courses, apps, online learning, and workplace training to build a flexible study routine. One example is Kielibuusti, which provides free, research-based materials, learning tips, and sector-specific resources for international professionals.

For self-study, there are plenty of online resources, including apps, podcasts, Yle’s Simplified Finnish news, and its language portal. You can explore InfoFinland’s curated list for more options.

If you want to demonstrate your skills officially, you can take the National Certificate of Language Proficiency, known as YKI, a standardized test for adults measuring everyday communication in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. YKI certificates are often used when applying for work, study programs, or Finnish citizenship.

From coffee-break chats to team discussions and written messages, workplaces offer many natural opportunities to practice. You can build confidence by:

• participating in casual conversations
• observing how colleagues use Finnish
• asking for key phrases or clarification
• practicing short sentences related to your tasks

Kielibuusti provides practical workplace tools such as pocket-sized phrasebooks, sector-specific vocabulary, and examples of how to practice Finnish at work. It also provides small daily tips and tools to help you track progress and plan your learning path.

Small, steady steps will meaningfully improve your career opportunities, confidence, and sense of belonging in Finland.

You don’t need perfect grammar to make an impact. Using Finnish regularly – supported by tools like Kielibuusti, InfoFinland’s online resources, and workplace learning – builds confidence faster than studying alone.

And while English can carry you far, even limited Finnish shows motivation, builds trust, and helps you feel more connected to your workplace and community. It’s a long journey, but every word you learn helps you feel more at home.