The Full Journey: From A1 to C Level Finnish
Starting from zero and reaching C-level fluency in Finnish as an adult is considered one of the hardest language journeys possible. Jojo Pratt started in a refugee camp with no Finnish and got there through mentality above all else: "Nobody can teach you Finnish. You have to learn it yourself." Matthias memorised Finnish vocabulary before he ever arrived in Finland and was fluent within a year at university. Chloe Järvinen rejected the idea that Finnish is impossible and worked her way to a project management career conducted entirely in the language. Every guest in these episodes made the full journey — each of them differently, but all the way.
Passing an exam is not the same as living in the language. Emily passed every section of the YKI on her first attempt, secured citizenship, and then spent years still unable to follow a fast conversation or express a complex opinion in Finnish. Simple requests at work were fine; a customer complaint or a nuanced discussion left her stuck. It was only when she enrolled in a Finnish-language hairdressing programme — surrounded by native speakers every day — that the language started to feel like something she lived inside rather than something she performed on demand. As she put it, in the two years she spent in that environment her Finnish improved more than in the ten years before it.
For many guests the turning point was not a course or an exam but a decision about identity. Hamed spent years in Finland treating it as a temporary stop, barely engaging with the language. The shift came when he accepted that Finland was home: he stopped resisting, started keeping a notebook of words he heard around him — including vocabulary from the junk mail ads in his letterbox — and leaned into Finnish music and friendships conducted entirely in Finnish. Kseniia coasted on English for years after arriving as an international student, left Finland for a year, and returned with a single clear thought: she wanted to become a Finn. She describes the beginning of that commitment as deeply uncomfortable — the only thing in her head was "I will never be able to speak Finnish" — and says she had to get very uncomfortable before she could get comfortable.
Creativity matters as much as discipline. Erik Åkesson, a Swedish banker, posted on LinkedIn offering to buy lunch for anyone who would speak Finnish with him for an hour. He had more than a hundred lunches that year, booking the same table in the same hotel every weekday. Early conversations were halting; by the end of the year he could talk. Jamie McDonald took an even more unconventional route: performing stand-up comedy in Finnish before he was fluent, using the repetition of hearing other comedians' sets five, ten, fifteen times as a kind of immersion — picking up one more word each time until the joke finally landed.
Anita Anttila arrived in Finland in 1996, in a small town where almost nobody spoke English. She learned her first words from a dictionary and pointed at items in shops to get by. Her journey took a painful turn when a language barrier during her divorce meant she signed away custody of her sons without fully understanding the document. That moment made fluency non-negotiable. Three decades later she speaks Finnish with the ease of someone who has lived it rather than studied it — and she looks back on that crisis as the thing that changed everything.
What every guest in this collection shares is the understanding that passing YKI or reaching a textbook level is not the finish line. Real fluency — the kind where you can argue, joke, comfort someone, or defend yourself in Finnish — requires going far beyond what any test measures. It requires finding the language in your daily life, not just in a classroom, and staying in contact with it long enough that it stops feeling like a performance and starts feeling like you.
10 episodes
013: Living Fully in Finland (Not Just Surviving) - Learning Finnish with Chloe Järvinen
In this episode, I sit down with Chloe Järvinen, a UK-born project manager in the social field who moved to Finland in 2015 after a music-inspired trip unexpectedly changed her life. What began as a fascination with Finnish rock led to marriage, relocation, and ultimately a deep commitment to learning the language. Chloe explains why mastering Finnish became non-negotiable for her independence and sense of belonging. She shares what genuinely helped her progress, what completely missed the mark, and why some popular learning materials can actually demotivate learners without proper guidance—while offering practical alternatives that worked better for her. We dive into mindset shifts, rejecting the 'Finnish is impossible' narrative, setting small tangible goals, leveraging passive exposure in daily life, and navigating serious setbacks without giving up. This conversation isn’t just about learning a language. It’s about building a life—and how Finnish expanded Chloe’s confidence, career opportunities, and connection to the society around her.Read More
012: Stand-Up Comedy as a Finnish Language Hack - with Jamie McDonald AKA HappeningFish
In this episode of ‘How I Learned Finnish with Ohe,’ I interview Jamie McDonald, a 48-year-old standup comedian and artist, about his journey of learning Finnish. Jamie, who performs under the stage name ‘Happening Fish,’ discusses the challenges and motivations in learning a language spoken by only a few million people. He shares insights into his methods, from taking classes and integrating into Finnish society through family and social circles, to the unconventional approaches of performing standup and attending yoga classes. Jamie also reflects on the emotional hurdles, the importance of persistence, and the cultural immersion necessary for mastering Finnish.. He covers topics such as integrating into Finnish culture, overcoming language barriers in personal and professional settings, and the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone to truly master a new language. This episode is filled with humor, valuable insights, and encouragement for anyone looking to learn Finnish or navigate a new linguistic and cultural environment.Read More
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
010: The Moment I Stopped Resisting: Learning by Lifestyle - Hamed
In this engaging discussion, Hamed, a 43-year-old software engineer originally from Iran, recounts his experiences adapting to life in Finland. Hamed shares his journey of learning Finnish, which was initially challenging due to his temporary mindset and resistance to the language. Eventually, his perspective shifted as he accepted Finland as his new home. Hamed highlights the role of making Finnish friends, listening to music, and immersing himself in Finnish culture as crucial to his language acquisition. He recounts specific experiences, such as working in a multicultural center, participating in language courses, and navigating daily interactions. Notably, he discusses how expressing emotions in Finnish significantly improved his fluency. Hamed emphasizes the importance of mindset, cultural immersion, and having fun in the process of learning a new language. His story provides valuable insights for anyone struggling to learn Finnish or integrate into a new culture.Read More
009: This One Shift Made Me Fluent in Finnish
In this episode, we explore the transformative power of embracing discomfort to achieve personal growth. Through heartfelt anecdotes and candid reflections, our guest reveals how pushing through initial unease can lead to newfound confidence and freedom. Learn why striving for perfection can actually hinder progress, and how allowing yourself to be imperfect can open doors to more meaningful interactions and self-discovery.Read More
008: From Hallway Listener to Fluent Finnish Speaker - Jojo Pratt
In this episode, we dive into the life story of Jojo Pratt, a nurse originally from Ghana. Jojo shares his unique experiences and challenges of learning Finnish, from his early days in a Finnish refugee camp to becoming fluent and integrated into Finnish society. Join us as Jojo recounts the creative and relentless methods he used, the cultural and societal barriers he overcame, and the crucial mindset needed to master a new language. Discover valuable insights and tips for anyone striving to learn Finnish or any new language. This is an episode filled with inspiring anecdotes, humorous moments, and practical advice you won't want to miss!Read More
007: I Didn't Wait To Be Included, I Learned The Language To Belong - Magdalene
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Magdalene Awahnde, a nursing manager in Finland. In this episode, Magdalene shares her journey from Cameroon to Finland, her challenges and triumphs in learning the Finnish language, and her rise in the healthcare sector. Discover her key strategies for overcoming language barriers, her motivational tips for aspiring immigrants, and how her determination and positive attitude opened doors to remarkable opportunities. Magdalene's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of embracing opportunities. Don't miss this insightful and motivational episode!Read More
006: Stop Saying It's Too Hard, That's Why You're Stuck - Emily
Meet Emily, an entrepreneur and hairdresser who shares her unique strategies, challenges, and experiences that shaped her language-learning process. In this episode, we dive deep into Emily's journey of learning Finnish. From studying abroad to integrating into Finnish society, Emily covers essential topics like vocabulary building, speaking, listening, grammar, reading, and writing. She also discusses the importance of mindset, staying motivated, and leveraging resources like podcasts, books, and online platforms to master Finnish. Learn how Emily overcame the hurdles of learning a new language and how you can apply her insights to your language-learning journey.Read More
004: Why Duolingo Failed, Paying for 100 Lunches, and More - Erik
In this episode, we explore Erik's unique approach to learning Finnish through real-world interactions and practical experiences. Erik shares why traditional language learning apps like Duolingo weren't effective for him and how he discovered more effective methods. He discusses his strategy of paying for lunches to practice Finnish with native speakers, the importance of immersion, and how he overcame common challenges faced by adult language learners. This episode is packed with actionable insights for anyone looking to learn Finnish through authentic experiences.Read More
003: I Lost Custody of My Kids Because I Couldn't Speak Finnish - Anita Anttila
Reasons why you should Learn Finnish. Anita shares her heartbreaking yet inspiring story of how language barriers affected her family life and custody situation. This powerful episode explores the real consequences of not being able to communicate in Finnish, especially when it comes to family matters. Anita discusses her journey to learn Finnish, the challenges she faced in the legal system, and how she eventually regained custody of her children. This episode highlights the importance of language learning beyond just personal development - it can literally change lives and family dynamics.Read More
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