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 - Intro

00:43 - 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

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