Project No.1: Learning languages
I focus on language learning in a practical, communication‑oriented way with real vocabulary, commonly used sentence patterns, and everyday situations to develop a kind of fluency that feels natural and usable. I believe that learning a language should primarily help you connect with people and navigate daily life not just memorize grammar rules or pass exams.
My approach is simple but consistent: I create my own learning materials, talk to myself in the target language, and try to use the language actively from the very beginning, even if I make mistakes. I break down complex topics into small, repeatable units.
Right now, I’m working on three languages:
- English, with the goal of reaching a confident C1 level — especially in writing and professional communication.
- German, which I want to bring to B2, focusing on everyday conversations and technical vocabulary in fields like construction and engineering.
- Finnish, which I’m learning with the goal of reaching B1, so I can live and work in Finland and help others settle in as well.
Each of these languages has a specific meaning in my life, and this project documents my learning journey.
English
English was my first foreign language, and I’ve been learning it since early childhood. Despite years of classes, I could only use the language passively for a long time. I understood texts and movies, but speaking was difficult for me. The main reason was simple: I had no one to practice speaking with. I lacked confidence, fluency, and real conversational experience.
My biggest progress came when I started using Italki regularly, a platform where you can find language partners, community tutors, and professional teachers from all over the world. There, I found several tutors and had video conversations once or twice a week about everyday topics. These weren’t typical textbook lessons but relaxed conversations that helped me speak English without translating in my head and, most importantly, without being afraid of making mistakes. You can choose tutors based on price, accent, specialization, or learning goals — whether you want casual conversations or focused practice in business English, pronunciation, writing, or job interviews. Each tutor has a short demo video and reviews, making it easy to find someone who fits your style and personality.
English remains very important to me. I want to improve my writing, especially in professional contexts — and reach a confident C1 level where I feel comfortable in any situation.
German
German was my second foreign language, which I started learning in primary school. Since I didn’t have German classes in secondary school, I eventually forgot almost everything. Later at university, I tried several times to study German on my own, but I struggled to stay consistent, mostly because I lacked motivation and a clear reason to keep going.
The most recent reason I picked German up again was work-related. In my current job, we collaborate with German companies, and part of the communication takes place in German. That finally gave me a practical reason to start over and stick with it.
This time, I’m approaching learning with clearer goals and a more practical mindset. I’m building a solid foundation for everyday communication and gradually expanding it with job‑related vocabulary, especially in construction and engineering. My goal is to reach the B2 level, where I can confidently understand written instructions, take part in simple work‑related conversations, and feel more independent when using the language at work or abroad.
Finnish
I started learning Finnish in August 2023, when I decided to move to Finland. It felt like a big and exciting challenge, a completely new language, a new environment, and a fresh start. In the end, everything turned out differently than planned, and I didn’t move to Finland. But I kept the basics I had already learned. If you’re curious why I didn’t move, you can read the full story in my blog post.
Since the move didn’t happen, I currently lack a strong reason to study Finnish intensively. Still, I want to maintain the knowledge I’ve built so far. I reached the A1–A2 level and don’t want to lose it. Even without an immediate purpose, I plan to keep my Finnish alive through light self‑study and occasional practice. My long‑term goal remains reaching B1, so I can understand everyday conversations, follow written information, and maybe use Finnish in the future — if the opportunity to live or work there comes up after all.