Learning Finnish Through Immersion
Hamed kept a notebook of Finnish words he kept hearing — including words from the junk mail ads that came through his letterbox, which were short, contextual, and came with pictures. Jojo attended Finnish classes while others in his refugee camp skipped them, because he had already decided Finland was his home. Oheneba spent a year pretending not to speak English, building daily habits around Finnish podcasts, translated phrase banks, and books in his areas of interest. Real immersion doesn't mean moving to a remote cabin — it means finding Finnish everywhere your life already takes you, and choosing not to switch language when it gets uncomfortable.
Immersion is the most cited method across every guest on this podcast — and also the most misunderstood. The word tends to conjure an image of dropping everything, moving somewhere remote, and refusing to speak anything but the target language until fluency arrives. That is not what any of these guests did. What they did was quieter, more sustainable, and in many ways harder: they restructured their daily lives so that Finnish was present in as many moments as possible, and they stayed in that contact long enough for the language to stop feeling foreign.
The difficulty with immersion in Finland is that English is everywhere. Finnish people, especially in cities, often switch to English the moment they detect an accent. Digital life — streaming, social media, news — defaults to English with almost no friction. If you live with a partner who is not a Finnish speaker, your home language will almost certainly not be Finnish. The immersive environment that Finland theoretically offers is real, but it requires active effort to access. The path of least resistance, at almost every moment of the day, is to stay in English — and immersion only works when you repeatedly choose not to.
The advantage of immersion over classroom study is that the language stops being something you do for an hour and then put down. It becomes the medium through which you experience your actual life — your interests, your relationships, your entertainment, your work. That shift changes how the brain processes the language. Words and phrases encountered in context, with emotional weight and real stakes attached, tend to settle more durably than vocabulary memorised from a list. The disadvantage is that immersion without structure can leave gaps. You may become fluent at the Finnish relevant to your daily life while remaining uncertain about grammar patterns or vocabulary that simply never comes up. Some learners find they need to supplement immersion with targeted study to fill those gaps.
Jojo Pratt's immersion was not a choice — it was a circumstance. He arrived in Finland from Ghana with no Finnish and ended up in a Red Cross refugee camp where the language was unavoidable and English was of limited use. He attended Finnish classes while most others in the camp skipped them, and when the room was full he stood in the corridor listening until his teacher propped the door open specifically for him. The absence of an exit route in English meant every Finnish interaction mattered, and that urgency accelerated his acquisition in a way that is difficult to replicate artificially.
Hamed took a more incremental approach over many years. He kept a notebook of Finnish words he kept hearing in daily life — filling it not from textbooks but from the world around him, including the junk mail that came through his letterbox, which he found useful because the sentences were short, contextual, and accompanied by pictures of the products being advertised. He listened to Finnish music — particularly older songs with clear pronunciation from artists like Tapani Kansa — and absorbed the language through rhythm and repetition before he was confident enough to speak it freely. A stranger at Vappu told him directly that he would earn more respect by speaking Finnish, and he took it seriously.
Oheneba structured his immersion deliberately. In 2022 he made a public commitment to speak Finnish wherever possible for an entire year, reasoning that the most reliable path to fluency was to simulate the conditions of a non-English speaker — someone who could not simply switch when it got hard. He built Finnish into his podcast listening, his reading, his writing practice, and his phrase bank. Matthias joined a Finnish-speaking choir for the same reason: to create a social environment where Finnish was the only option, with enough repetition and emotional engagement to make the language stick. Chloe Järvinen let her Finnish-speaking husband and their daily home life become her immersive environment, choosing to use every conversation as practice rather than defaulting to the English that would have been easier.
Kseniia found that immersion through Finnish YouTube and television gave her exposure to natural, colloquial speech that classes and textbooks rarely captured. Magdalene absorbed Finnish through her nursing placements, where the language was not optional and mistakes were corrected in real time by context. What these approaches share is that the Finnish was always attached to something real — a relationship, a job, an interest, a necessity. That attachment is what makes immersion work. Passive exposure alone, with no stake in understanding, tends to wash over a learner without leaving much behind.
11 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
005: From Zero to Finnish Law School in 3 years - Deborah Laajanen
3 years to go from zero Finnish to law school admission. Check out this interview of how Deborah was able to learn such high level Finnish. In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Deborah Laajanen, a lawyer from the Philippines who managed to get accepted into a Finnish law school despite being in Finland for just a few years. Deborah shares her struggles and strategies for learning Finnish to an advanced level, including the use of resources like Suomen mestari, podcasts, and integrating herself into Finnish society. She also discusses the motivation behind her efforts, the role of discipline, and the importance of setting concrete goals. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone facing the daunting task of learning a new language, especially in a new country.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
002: How I Achieved Fluency in Finnish in Just One Year
In 2022, I embarked on a radical experiment — I pretended not to speak English for an entire year in order to immerse myself in Finnish and reach fluency as an adult. My journey of mastering the Finnish language in just one year starting from a weak level! How to learn Finnish language easily. From setting specific targets and creating a language immersion environment to utilizing podcasts, books, and articles, I provide actionable tips that can help you learn any language. Learn about the six essential components of language learning—vocabulary, speaking, listening, grammar, reading, and writing—and discover how I kept myself motivated, and adapted my strategies along the way. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to refine your skills, this video is packed with valuable advice for achieving your language learning goals.Read More