Originally, I come from a small city (but in Finnish terms a bigger city) called Hämeenlinna in Finland. Language learning has always been a passion of mine – I can speak Finnish, German, English and French. Working for a Finnish jewelry brand, I moved to Germany to bring the Finnish culture to the world. As life happens, I met my husband and have now lived for over 25 years in Germany.

When my three children were small, I began my journey as a Finnish teacher while also being a full-time mom. Raising them bilingually in Finnish and German, I experienced firsthand the joys and challenges of learning Finnish as a foreigner. From my husband’s seven-year journey of mastering the language to helping my children integrate into Finnish society, I’ve seen the powerful impact that language can have on making people feel at home in Finland.

My teaching career started at the Suomi-koulu (German Finnish school), and soon after, I expanded into teaching Finnish at the German adult education centre (VHS). As demand for Finnish language teachers grew, I took the initiative to create a comprehensive Finnish course designed specifically for German-speaking adults, giving them the tools to learn Finnish effectively and confidently.

As my experience grew, I had the opportunity to contribute to important language projects, including developing the B2 Finnish exam for the European Commission. I’m proud to still serve as an examiner for Finnish language exams today, helping set and maintain the standards for language proficiency.

Around ten years ago, I decided to make my Finnish teaching available to an even wider audience. I started offering private Finnish lessons and created my Instagram account, Finishtogo, to share language tips, lessons, and insights. The response was overwhelming, and soon I was receiving more requests than I could accommodate in person. This led to the development of my ONNI Finnish courses, a comprehensive online program designed to help students around the world learn Finnish at their own pace.

The ONNI Finnish courses have since become a thriving community of motivated learners, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to watch my students progress. Whether you’re just starting with Finnish or looking to improve your skills, my courses are designed to help you reach your language goals with confidence.

Through my work as a teacher, examiner, and language learner, I’ve learned that mastering a language is about more than just vocabulary—it’s about building connections, understanding culture, and gaining the confidence to truly feel at home in a new country. My mission is to make learning Finnish accessible, enjoyable, and rewarding for as many people as possible.

If you’re looking for high-quality Finnish courses online, whether to study for exams, improve your speaking skills, or simply get more comfortable with the language, ONNI Finnish courses offer a flexible, engaging learning experience.