Länsi-Suomen opisto’s English course is different from other folk high school language courses in that the students are given the chance to spend time in the UK practicing their English in a real setting and getting to know the people and culture of Britain first hand.
You may be considering coming to study here, in which case you will be full of questions about the nature of the course in Huittinen and in Britain. Allow me to preemptively answer those questions for you.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What is the course structure?
- There are two types of English courses available at Länsi-Suomen opisto that vary in duration. The first is a six-month long course which starts in late August/early September and ends in February. This course begins with four months of fairly intensive study at Länsi-Suomen opisto before a further two months of study in the UK. The second option is a two-month long intensive course that consists of one month in Huittinen and one month in the UK. These two-month long courses run twice a year. The first is from February to March and the second is from April to May.

The time spent in Huittinen consists of five hours of classroom study per day with about two hours of personal study per day on top of that. All areas of language study are covered from listening, speaking, writing and reading to grammar and vocabulary. A special focus is also given to the study of current events and culture in Britain and Finland. The second part of the course, in Britain, continues the study of the language with more emphasis placed on exploring the country and getting to know its history and culture more deeply. Trips are organized to cities such as Manchester, Liverpool and Edinburgh as well as local places of interest in the North of England and Scotland.

2. What level is the course at?
- The course is suitable for all levels. We normally have students ranging from absolute beginner to advanced and everywhere in between. Naturally, almost no two students are at the exact same level, so the course is designed to allow for the variations without it ever being too easy or too difficult for anyone. Our mantra is "cooperation and coordination". Not only do people have different levels of English, but they also need their English skills for very different reasons. We take this all into consideration when administering the course contents.

3. Am I too young/old to come and study there?
- No. Regularly we have students ranging from late-teen school leavers to pensioners and anywhere in between. A good mixture of ages in the class gives the course a nice balance of interests and often allows for a lively discussion, given the different backgrounds and ages of the students. We welcome the diversity and feel it is only beneficial to the course.

4. In which city do we stay in the UK? What is it like?
- The six-month long course begins with one month in Kendal, in the North of England, followed by one month in Westray, Orkney in Scotland. The two-month long course spends one month in Kendal. You can see for yourself what these towns have to offer by visiting their own websites: http://www.visitcumbria.com/sl/kendal.htm
http://www.visitcumbria.com/sl/kendal.htm

5. What is the accommodation in the UK like?
- Each student stays with a local resident close by the place where the classes will be held. The types of accommodation range from small and cosy to large and spacious and the hosts vary in age and profession. We try to find the most suitable host for each student, based on their apparent compatibility as well as things like allergies or dietary concerns. The students find out who they will be staying with in advance of going and are given a chance to correspond with their future hosts, so they are not complete strangers when the meet. Whoever the hosts are, we can guarantee an authentic British experience and a real look at another culture.

6. Who are the teachers in Finland and the UK?
- The six-month long course has two teachers. The first part of the course, in Finland, is taught by myself, Michael Coppejans. I am an American and have been living and teaching in Finland for a number of years. The British part of the course is handled by Jerry Wood. Jerry is an experienced professional who lives and works in the North of Scotland. He has been working in association with Länsi-Suomen opisto now for ten years. Jerry's interests included walking and art. The two-month long courses will be taught solely by me.

7. What have students in the past thought about the course?
- The overwhelming response to our English course has been a positive one. It has been running now for over ten years and each year is tweaked and adjusted to make it better and more suited to the changing need of our students. The students generally find that the course is challenging, but rewarding. When they come back to Finland, they can normally see in themselves a marked change in their English ability. Sometimes, the improvement can be great, or, if the student has had a good level of English beforehand, the improvement consists mainly of a greater confidence in speaking English. Each student has had a unique experience and always they say they will never forget the time they spend on the course in Finland and the UK, as well as the friends they made during that time.

If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to ask. You can contact us.

I look forward to hearing from you!