In this episode, we dive into the life story of Jojo Pratt, a 37-year-old 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!🎙️ Welcome to How I Learned Finnish – with Ohe Helping immigrants thrive (not just survive) by mastering one of the world’s toughest languages.👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if this inspired you or made you think differently about language learning.-- Table of Contents--00:00 Intro & Jojo’s background02:05 High School memories in Ghana04:58 The secret flight to Europe08:40 Arrival: Red Cross & first winter12:10 Refugee camp classes & the doorway story16:45 Mindset over comfort (why courses aren’t enough)21:30 Bar reps, churches & real-life practice26:10 Dictionaries, kids’ shows & Pimsleur31:00 Accents: Imatra → Turku → Salo → Helsinki35:35 From student to nurse: workplace Finnish41:00 Swedish twist: Tammisaari army hack46:10 Integration, jobs & quality of life51:40 Rules for learning Finnish as an adult57:20 Closing thoughts & takeaways#LearnFinnish #FinnishLanguage #HowToLearnFinnish #SuomenKieli #Suomi #HowILearnedFinnish #OhePodcast #GhanaToFinland #ImmigrantStoryFinland #RefugeeToNurse #IntegrationFinland #ExpatFinland #LifeInFinland #AdultLanguageLearning #MindsetOverComfort #SpeakFinnish #FinnishVocabulary #FinnishGrammar #FinnishPronunciation #SpeakingFinnish #WorkingAsANurseInFinland #RedCrossFinland #RefugeeCampFinland #Helsinki #Turku #YKITest
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!🎙️ Welcome to How I Learned Finnish – with Ohe. Helping immigrants thrive (not just survive) by mastering one of the world’s toughest languages.👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if this inspired you or made you think differently about language learning.00:00 Intro00:48 Meet Magdalene01:57 Journey to Finland: Love and Education02:41 Nicknames and Cultural Connections03:13 Learning Finnish: Challenges and Motivations07:25 First Steps in Finland: Education and Early Career12:52 Navigating the Finnish Job Market19:51 Overcoming Language Barriers in Nursing32:20 A Brief Move to the US and Return to Finland35:34 Resources and Methods for Learning Finnish41:09 Multidisciplinary Team Meetings41:21 Observations on Learning Finnish42:29 Challenges in the Job Market43:37 Adapting to Life in Finland45:24 Importance of Learning Finnish47:10 Active and Passive Learning Strategies47:43 Role of Family in Language Learning53:33 Integration and Cultural Adaptation01:14:16 Motivation and Overcoming Challenges01:20:04 Encouragement and Final Thoughts#FinnishLanguage #ImmigrantSuccess #LanguageLearningJourney #LifeInFinland #CameroonToFinland #NursingInFinland #HealthcareLeadership #WomenInHealthcare #FinnishHealthcare #InspiringStories #MotivationalPodcast #FromStruggleToSuccess #PerseverancePaysOff #LearnFinnish #ImmigrantVoices #AfricanDiaspora#NursingManager #FinnishIntegration #FinlandPodcast #RealTalkFinland
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.🎙️ Welcome to How I Learned Finnish – with OheHelping immigrants thrive (not just survive) by mastering one of the world’s toughest languages.👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if this inspired you or made you think differently about language learning.00:00 Introduction00:51 Meet Emily 02:59 Life in Finland04:04 Learning Finnish: Challenges and Strategies08:16 Work and Language Integration09:27 Effective Learning Resources13:46 The Role of Technology in Learning15:38 Reaching Proficiency Levels18:11 Test Preparation and Strategies30:58 Observations on Language Learning33:55 Understanding the Challenges of Learning Finnish35:03 Overcoming the Fear of Making Mistakes36:47 Unconventional Learning Strategies38:43 The Importance of Practice and Immersion39:50 Balancing Active and Passive Learning43:15 Integrating into Finnish Society46:43 The Role of Personal Relationships in Language Learning50:44 Common Obstacles and Encouragement56:12 Effective Language Learning Techniques01:06:12 The Benefits of Speaking the Local Language#LearnFinnish #FinnishLanguage #LanguageLearningJourney #LanguageMotivation #LanguageTips #FinnishGrammar #VocabularyBuilding #SpeakFinnish #ListenAndLearn#StudyAbroadFinland #LifeInFinland #ImmigrantExperience #ExpatInFinland#FinnishForBeginners #LanguageMindset #PodcastEpisode #LanguageLearningPodcast #HairdresserInFinland #EntrepreneurInFinland #MasterFinnish #LanguageLearningTips #FinnishVocabulary #ReadingInFinnish #WritingInFinnish #OnlineLanguageLearning
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.🎙️ Welcome to How I Learned Finnish – with OheHelping immigrants thrive (not just survive) by mastering one of the world’s toughest languages.👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if this inspired you or made you think differently about language learning.Table of Content 00:00 - Intro00:43 - Meet Deborah Laajanen 03:11 - Deborah's Journey to Finland 04:58 - Learning Finnish and Integration 09:10 - Facing Professional Hurdles 15:32 - Effective Learning Strategies 20:40 - Resources and Tools for Learning Finnish 24:26 - Advanced Finnish Proficiency 31:16 - Immersion and Integration Programs 34:52 - Unconventional Learning Methods 39:21 - Integrating Finnish into Daily Life 39:48 - Active vs. Passive Learning Strategies 40:30 - Overcoming Language Barriers 41:33 - Setting and Achieving Language Goals 42:52 - Immersive Learning Techniques 43:47 - Challenges and Mindset in Language Learning 47:19 - Importance of Integration and Community 58:56 - Personal Stories and Cultural Connections 01:02:01 - Rapid Fire Language Learning Tips 01:11:07 - Encouragement and Final Thoughts#LearnFinnish #FinnishLanguage #FinnishFluency#LanguageLearningJourney #FinnishLessons #SuomenMestari #LanguageMotivation #StudyInFinland #LawStudentLife #LawStudies #InternationalStudent #ExpatInFinland #MovingToFinland #FinnishCulture #LanguageLearningTips #StudyAbroadFinland #LanguageGoals #BecomingFluent #FinnishForBeginners #FinnishLawSchool #LearningLanguages #FluencyTips #PodcastEpisode #StudyMotivation #ExpatLifeFinland
What if the best way to learn Finnish isn’t in a classroom — but at lunch with an 85-year-old stranger?Meet Erik Åkesson, a Swedish dad of four, former global head of FX trading, and now a Finnish speaker thanks to one of the most original language learning methods I’ve ever heard. He didn’t qualify for integration courses. So what did he do? He offered to buy lunch for anyone willing to speak Finnish with him — and ended up having over 100 lunches with strangers.In this episode, we talk about:Why Duolingo didn’t workThe power of non-reversible promisesFinnish vs Swedish education systemsThe dark side of “easy English in Finland”Why the government should fund immigrant-lonely elderly lunchesAnd why, if you're serious about learning Finnish, this method might be your new secret weapon.🎙️ Welcome to How I Learned Finnish – with OheHelping immigrants thrive (not just survive) by mastering one of the world’s toughest languages.👉Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if this inspired you or made you think differently about language learning.00:00 Introduction and Initial Struggles00:51 Meet Erik Åkesson01:38 Life Journey and Career Moves03:11 Challenges in Learning Finnish05:22 Innovative Methods to Learn Finnish06:55 The Power of Social Interaction11:45 Reflections on Language Learning13:36 The Role of Older Generations15:37 Final Thoughts and Recommendations31:11 Challenges of Learning Finnish31:25 Passive and Active Learning Strategies33:11 Balancing Multiple Languages34:18 Making Irreplaceable Promises36:43 Diversity and Integration in Finland45:59 Difficulties of Learning Finnish56:07 Commitment and Social Integration58:18 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsFinnish language, learning Finnish, how to learn Finnish, Finnish fluency, language learning tips, integration in Finland, immigrant experience Finland, Duolingo, language immersion, lunch with locals, language hacks, adult language learning, suomen kieli, suomi, Erik Åkesson, podcast Finland, Finnish for immigrants, unconventional language methods, language and identity, retired mentors, language motivation#LearnFinnish #FinnishLanguage #LanguageLearning #ImmigrantsInFinland #HowILearnedFinnish #SuomenKieli #IntegrationInFinland #LanguageFluency #DuolingoFail #LanguageMotivation #LunchToFluency #FinlandLife #RetiredMentors #ImmigrantStories #Suomi
Anita Anttila shares her compelling journey of moving to Finland nearly 30 years ago and her struggles to learn the Finnish language amidst personal challenges, including losing custody of her children due to a misunderstanding of legal documents. She dives into the language learning methods she tried, both successful and unsuccessful, the importance of daily practices to learn the language. Anita emphasizes the need for intentional learning, integrating into society, and not being ashamed of making mistakes. Her story highlights resilience and the importance of truly immersing oneself in the language to understand and be understood in a new country.—- Contents of the video ——00:00 intro07:49 Too busy with kids at start10:56 Switch from the english way of thinking20:54 Resources used24:13 Useless practice methods26:35 Observations about other people29:46 Surprising or unconventional things34:02 Passive actions that help48:05 Tired Brain57:35 Why others fail01:00:16 6 parts to learning a language01:00:43 Vocabulary01:03:21 Speaking Practice01:03:52 Listening Comprehension01:04:06 Grammar01:05:45 Writing01:06:36 Moments of difficulty01:11:52 Words of encouragement01:16:24 Exit
How I Achieved Fluency in Finnish in Just One Year! | Language Learning TipsIn 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! In this episode of 'How I Learned,' I reveal the key elements that helped me achieve high-level fluency by the end of 2022. 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 overcame challenges, 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. Don’t miss out—watch now and get inspired to take your linguistic abilities to the next level!00:00 Intro 00:59 My Story01:24 Affecting my pockets03:01 My Goal04:45 How others learnt fast05:06 Pretend you don't speak English07:17 Daily Podcasts09:00 Vocabulary into Excel12:01 ChatGPT can be bad for this12:54 Translated phrase bank14:15 Books17:07 Articles17:53 Sit down to study19:16 Your relationships19:49 Integration with locals21:10 The HOW wrap-up
So you want to learn the Finnish language. How, you ask? How I learnt Finnish is a podcast that shows you the choices, daily habits, lifestyle and changes that people who have successfully learned Finnish as adults did to get to learn a language - any language. This is my way of helping you to also achieve this very difficult goal.