ENGLISH 50+
English language course for over-50s
The course has been cancelled due to the small number of registrations. Explore the other language courses this autumn here.
Communication English -kurssi tarjoaa varmuutta ja valmiuksia englannin kielen puhumiseen ja ymmärtämiseen. Englanti on globaali kieli ja englannin kielen taidosta onkin paljon iloa ja hyötyä erilaisissa yhteyksissä niin kotimaassa kuin ulkomailla. Tule opiskelemaan ja kehittämään kielitaitoasi!
Opistollamme on kaunis opiskeluympäristö ja pääsy valmiiseen ruokapöytään kaikkina opiskelupäivinä. Kielitaidon kehittämisen ohella koulutus tarjoaa yhteisöllisiä kokemuksia ja uusia tuttavuuksia. Opistolla on myös majoitusmahdollisuus.
English course for adults – Develop as a speaker of English!
West Finland College's high-quality English course for adults, English 50+, is, as the name suggests, aimed at people over 50. Studies take place from Monday to Thursday and on four Fridays (4 September, 2 October, 6 November and 20 November 2026), mainly between 9.00 and 14.30.
English is an international language that is very useful both abroad and here in Finland.
The English course is excellent training for anyone who wants to improve their spoken and listening skills in English. The course is intended for those who have studied English at some stage in their lives, but whose skills have become a little rusty or who feel nervous about using the language. Perhaps you want to learn English for travelling, or you would like to speak better English with your foreign loved ones? The English course is also a great choice for anyone who wants to develop their English skills for working life.
The 3-month course follows the outline below, although each course is shaped by its participants.
Period 1, weeks 1-4: Pronunciation basics and listening comprehension
Goal: Master English sounds, syllable stress, intonation and listening comprehension
Period 2, weeks 5-8: Fluency and conversation skills
Goal: Develop fluency, conversation skills and confidence in speaking
Period 3, weeks 9-12: Advanced skills and practical application
Goal: Master advanced communication skills and apply them in practice.
An example of a study day:
1. 9.00 - 9.50: Theory and learning new content (e.g. sounds, intonation)
2. 10.00 - 10.50: Practice (e.g. pronunciation exercises, listening)
3. 11.00 - 11.50: Practical application (e.g. conversation practice, role plays)
LUNCH
12.40 - 13.30: Group activities (e.g. group discussions, debates)
13.45 - 14.30: Independent practice (e.g. recording, listening tasks)
"In my opinion there is no minimum level of English you need in order to take part in the course. The course is for everyone who wants confidence and the courage to speak"
-Participant 2023 & 2024
The course is tailored to the level of the group. The teacher takes into account every student's goals and starting level. Studies take place on site at West Finland College, which offers a beautiful learning environment and a table laid ready on every study day. The course works in a workshop style, developing language skills through practical exercises based on each participant's own starting point. On this English conversation and communication course the main working methods are pair and group work. It is also possible to take the English course remotely from your own computer.
Distance learners must have:
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their own headphones and microphone
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a printer
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sufficient IT skills to use Zoom smoothly
"The best things have been the new friends, the amazing teacher Kristian and the good food! The intensity and length of the course make the group a close-knit, warm bunch and make studying and the English language feel completely natural"
-Participant 2023 & 2024
Welcome to study and to gain new experiences and friends on the English course at West Finland College! The college and its accommodation are located in Huittinen.
For more information about the course content, you can ask the teacher directly: hannikainenkristian@gmail.com,
044 963 4898.
Places on the English course are filled in order of registration. PLEASE NOTE! Registration only via the form, using the link below.
The course has been cancelled due to the small number of registrations. See our other autumn language courses here.
Read the blog posts below for students' and staff members' thoughts on studying languages at West Finland College.
Studying on the English course at West Finland College
English 50+ (13 credits)
Dates: 31 August – 26 November 2026 (autumn break 26-30 October 2026, no teaching)
Teaching: Mon - Thu 9.00-14.30
Price: 480€ / month (total price 1440€). The price includes tuition as well as
breakfast and lunch on teaching days.
Price for distance learning: 360 € / month (total price 1080€). The price includes tuition via a remote connection.
Entitlement to student financial aid: The English language course is full-time and qualifies for Kela student financial aid
(A person is not entitled to student financial aid for any period during which they receive a full disability pension under the earnings-related pension acts, a years-of-service pension, a rehabilitation allowance for the same studies, a disability pension and a rehabilitation increment for the same studies, an old-age pension, a partial old-age pension or an early old-age pension.)
Read about course fees and cancellation terms.
We reserve the right to make changes.
OPETTAJASI
KRISTIAN HANNIKAINEN
Kristian Hannikainen´s father is Finnish and his mother is Italian. He spent most of his life abroad and after growing up in such diverse places as Brazil, Italy and Mexico, he finished school and got 3 A-levels in the UK. After completing his military service in Finland he left for Mexico in 1992 to study Latin American Literature at Iberoamericana University and spent the next 23 years teaching English, Spanish and Italian. He returned to Finland in 2015 where he has been a freelance language teacher.
Kristian Hannikainen's father is Finnish and his mother is Italian. He grew up and spent a large part of his life abroad, for example in Brazil, Italy and England, where he went to school. After completing his military service in Finland, he left for Mexico to study Latin American literature at Iberoamericana University. After that he taught English, Spanish and Italian in Mexico for 23 years. Kristian returned to Finland in 2015 and has since taught languages at the adult education centres of Sastamala, Huittinen and the Pyhäjärvi region and at West Finland College.
Toby tours - Language and culture trips
"Kristian knows how to take different levels into account. The main emphasis on the course is, after all, on speaking. He guides the conversation according to the student's level, asks suitable questions and helps the student to produce speech. Nobody needs to be afraid or shy about how well they can express things in English. This is a course for adults, nothing is compulsory. For me, this is exactly what makes the course a fascinating and rewarding one."
"The teacher was a brilliant professional, really inspiring and thorough in his teaching. It motivated me to study."
Sign up for the English course at West Finland College
Apply for the English course and come and develop your language skills! Anyone over the age of 50 who is able to commit to studying for three months can register for the English language course. On a language course your skills are sure to develop! At the same time you will gain the courage to interact and more ways to express yourself in English. Broadening your language skills is always useful, both in your private life and in terms of work. After the English course you will be an even more confident user of English.
In addition to the English course, you will also find dance courses and wellbeing courses with us. We also rent out function and meeting rooms for all kinds of occasions. Explore our range on our website and get in touch if you have any questions!