Tervetuloa! Welcome! This is the website of the Manchesterin suomikoulu - the Manchester Finnish School. On these pages you can find background information about the School and its classes and activities, directions to its base in Sale on the South side of Manchester, and its opening times (in general, Saturday mornings). For the most up-to-date information, look up our Facebook pages.
This may be your idea of Finland. And maybe also the country's endless forests, and the famous 'thousand lakes' (actually, 188,000 or so!) Perhaps you've found this site because you're planning a trip to Finland to enjoy the cross country skiing, or simply to see Santa in Lapland. Most travellers and holidaymakers wonder about the language of the country they're visiting; so how can we help you?
In the first place, let's say that English speakers will have little difficulty getting around. Especially in urban areas, Finns display a level of competency in English which frankly puts us to shame :) And in many places public information is often displayed in English, as well as in Finnish and Swedish. Sometimes Russian too. However, any visitor to a country knows that knowing some words and phrases goes a long way, and we can certainly help you with that. We organise a variety of classes at various levels, and you would find a warm welcome in our beginners' class.
We won't pretend to turn you into a fluent speaker overnight. Finnish is a very different language to most others in Europe, but it has a fascination for anyone interested in language, and some of our students have derived great enjoyment from exploring the weird byways of its grammar. At the same time, it is absolutely possible to gain that useful basic knowledge which could open a few doors for you when you arrive in Finland.
The Finnish School is about much more than language classes. Many of our members are Finns and their families, living in the Manchester area, and the School offers a great way to 'touch base' for them. Which means you'll find a great resource at the school, of Finns who are often only too happy to help you out regarding Finland, its cities, its culture, its traditions, what to see and do. In fact, the School itself offers some practical Finnish culture, in the shape of its shop stocked with all sorts of Finnish goodies, and its cafe serving Finnish coffee and cake. You did know, didn't you, that Finns are reckoned to be the heaviest drinkers per capita of coffee in the world?
So, whatever sort of curiosity brought you here, whatever may be taking you to Finland in the near future, why not come and sample some Finnish culture, language and otherwise, at the Manchester School this autumn? Nähdään pian! See you soon!
This may be your idea of Finland. And maybe also the country's endless forests, and the famous 'thousand lakes' (actually, 188,000 or so!) Perhaps you've found this site because you're planning a trip to Finland to enjoy the cross country skiing, or simply to see Santa in Lapland. Most travellers and holidaymakers wonder about the language of the country they're visiting; so how can we help you?
 |
| Helsinki has so much to see and do, and is constantly changing; here's one of the latest big attractions, the hugely popular Oodi - a public library with a difference! |
In the first place, let's say that English speakers will have little difficulty getting around. Especially in urban areas, Finns display a level of competency in English which frankly puts us to shame :) And in many places public information is often displayed in English, as well as in Finnish and Swedish. Sometimes Russian too. However, any visitor to a country knows that knowing some words and phrases goes a long way, and we can certainly help you with that. We organise a variety of classes at various levels, and you would find a warm welcome in our beginners' class.
 |
| It isn't long before sweet-loving visitors discover Fazer, and its several shops and cafes. |
We won't pretend to turn you into a fluent speaker overnight. Finnish is a very different language to most others in Europe, but it has a fascination for anyone interested in language, and some of our students have derived great enjoyment from exploring the weird byways of its grammar. At the same time, it is absolutely possible to gain that useful basic knowledge which could open a few doors for you when you arrive in Finland.
 |
| For some of us, this is Finland - here's a recent ice hockey world championship game in Espoo. The Finns are beating the Czechs... Did you know that the Finns are currently World Champions in the men's game, and runners-up in the women's? |
The Finnish School is about much more than language classes. Many of our members are Finns and their families, living in the Manchester area, and the School offers a great way to 'touch base' for them. Which means you'll find a great resource at the school, of Finns who are often only too happy to help you out regarding Finland, its cities, its culture, its traditions, what to see and do. In fact, the School itself offers some practical Finnish culture, in the shape of its shop stocked with all sorts of Finnish goodies, and its cafe serving Finnish coffee and cake. You did know, didn't you, that Finns are reckoned to be the heaviest drinkers per capita of coffee in the world?
 |
| Allow me some self indulgence! Here, some coffee; a shot of sea blackthorn berry juice; and as for that ghastly looking grey substance in the bowl, if I can find some of that on a trip to Finland, I go home very, very happy! It's salmiakki ice cream. |
So, whatever sort of curiosity brought you here, whatever may be taking you to Finland in the near future, why not come and sample some Finnish culture, language and otherwise, at the Manchester School this autumn? Nähdään pian! See you soon!
 |
| Helsinki; a beautiful city in one of the world's most beautiful countries. |