Konepaja Upper Secondary School for Adults

Konepaja Upper Secondary School for Adults organises Finnish language courses at many levels, from literacy courses up to level B2.2.

The application periods for Finnish courses are in August and in November. The application period for the spring 2024 courses is closed now. The application period for the autumn 2024 courses is 29.7. - 7.8.2024. 

During the application period you can apply through e-application. If the number of applicants exceeds the available places, the students will be chosen on the course by lottery. The students will receive a letter of acceptance or rejection at their home address. 

Course locations

The courses are organized in three locations:

• Konepajan toimipiste (Töysänkatu 2d, 00510 Helsinki)
• Myllypuron toimipiste (Kiviparintie 1, 00920 Helsinki)
• Mäkelänrinteen toimipiste (Mäkelänkatu 47, 00550 Helsinki)

Click here to see the spring 2024 courses. 

Course levels

Alkeiskurssi / Beginner's course)
(starting level 0)
↓                 
Jatkokurssi / Continuation course
(starting level A1.3 / A2.1)
↓         
Jatkokurssi 2 / Continuation course 2
(starting level A2.2)
↓
Lukion kurssit / Higher secondary courses
(starting level B1.2, target level B2.2)

Course levels (A1.1−B2.1) are based on The Common European Framework of Reference CEFR. For more information see the pages of European Council.

Language of instruction

The language of instruction on all courses is Finnish.

Course price

The course price is EUR 150. The bill for the course will be sent home after the first six weeks. Helsinki citizens who are unemployed or full time students get a 50% discount off the course price by showing a valid card (the TE-centre card/student card).

Attendance

The courses are intensive in nature so a 100% class attendance is required. Students must arrive to class in time. Students are not allowed to leave the classroom during lessons. The absences of the students taking part in integration training (kotoutumiskoulutus) are informed to the TE-centre.

Homework

The amount of work required for an intensive course is estimated at 22 hours a week. This consists of lessons at school (16 hours) and homework (6 hours). The courses include a considerable amount of homework. Completing the homework for each lesson is an essential part of the course.

Vacations

Autumn holiday 16.–20.10.2023
Christmas holiday 22.12.2023–7.1.2024
Winter holiday 19.–23.2.2024
Easter holiday 28.3.–1.4.2024
Ascension Day  9.5.2024

Social benefits

Students are not eligible for student prize commuter tickets or financial aid to students. However, the students taking part in integration training (kotoutumiskoulutus) are entitled to the Kela training allowance (kotoutumistuki) for intensive courses (22 working hours a week). For the obtention of the said allowance, the students must contact their TE-centre before the course starts. More information on the training allowance can be obtained from TE-centres, Kela and the pages of Infopankki(Link leads to external service).

Other opportunities to learn Finnish

For more information on Finnish courses in the Helsinki area see finnishcourses.fi(Link leads to external service).