Language proficiency matters

Many are surprised to find out that English is less prevalent in Finnish working life than their higher education studies or stories they may have heard led them to believe. Several studies have shown that lack of language proficiency is the most important factor limiting the employment and social integration of international workforce in Finland. 

Employers value Finnish proficiency (Barona?). While language proficiency requirements can in some cases be considered excessive in relation to the given tasks, language proficiency is still important. Language proficiency affects career progress and is appreciated even in workplaces where the working language is English.

A growing number of employers appreciate that even elementary language proficiency is beneficial. Many are prepared to hire employees whose language proficiency does not yet meet requirements. This is particularly the case in larger companies. In addition, employers are prepared to provide language training and contribute to associated costs. This allows language learning to continue after starting on the job. 

International experts also feel that language is the most important factor hindering social integration (E2 Research, 2023) The reverse is also true: individuals who have learned the language well consider it a significant factor in their social integration. While English is sufficient for everyday life in Finland, proficiency in a local language facilitates social participation and improves one’s experience of Finland. 

Finnish can be learned

Many international talents consider Finnish a difficult language to learn, and Finns tend to underline this myth. In reality, Finnish is a language like any other: it takes effort to learn as an adult, especially because it is typically different from the languages that the learner already knows. However, it is perfectly possible to learn Finnish and learn it well: thousands of non-native speakers have done so. The greatest obstacle to learning Finnish is not that the language is difficult, but that opportunities to use it may be limited. However, this is something that can be influenced by a change in attitude. 

Many believe that a language should be learned before it can be used. Because the challenge seems daunting, some may be unwilling to face it if they are unsure whether they are going to stay in Finland. You may have never considered that one does not necessarily need to “fully learn” a language, but that even elementary language proficiency is useful and that a language can be used in everyday situations from the very beginning. Therefore, it is a good idea to begin language studies even if you are not sure whether you will be staying in Finland. If you then decide to stay, your language studies will already be underway. Language learning may also contribute to experts staying in Finland.