Matthias
Research Assistant · From Germany · In Finland since 2020
Matthias moved to Finland from Germany in February 2020 — arriving just weeks before COVID-19 lockdowns began — having already memorised thousands of Finnish words from a vocabulary book before he ever set foot in the country. A research assistant working on physics at Aalto University, he reached fluency through a combination of pre-arrival obsession, choir singing, children's audiobooks on repeat, and the unconventional technique of conducting psychotherapy sessions entirely in Finnish to give the language an emotional anchor.
Episode featuring Matthias
011: How Immersion, Emotions, and 3,000 Words Made Matthias Fluent - Finnish Language Journey
Starting even before he moved to Finland, Mathias discusses how he memorized 1000+ Finnish words from a vocabulary book and immersed himself in the language. He explains his methods, such as focusing on grammar, practicing speaking with native Finnish speakers, and integrating into Finnish culture through activities like joining choirs. Mathias also reveals unconventional approaches, including conducting psychotherapy in Finnish to deepen his emotional connection to the language. Despite many challenges and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mathias achieved fluency within a relatively short period by dedicating significant time and effort, employing both systematic and creative learning strategies. His story highlights the importance of persistence, immersion, and making use of emotions in the language learning process.Read More
