FAQS
Answers to Your Questions
WHAT ARE METHODS WE USE?
Our tutors use direct method and classes are held 100% in Finnish. The direct method of teaching (or the natural method), is used in teaching foreign languages, refrains from using the learners' native language and uses only the target language. It was established in England around 1900 and contrasts with the grammar–translation method and other traditional approaches.
HOW DOES IT WORK DIRECT METHOD?
Students are learning concepts and vocabulary through pantomiming, real-life objects and other visual materials.
Teaching grammar by using an inductive approach (i.e. having learners find out rules through the presentation of adequate linguistic forms in the target language)
The centrality of spoken language (including a native-like pronunciation) focus on question–answer patterns
WHAT ARE PROS OF DIRECT METHOD?
Traditional methods used to teach you translate language to your native language as well as learn translation rules what takes about 20% of course time. The direct method makes associative connections in your memory visually and audibly and you will know the construction and its use like native speakers.
Traditional methods make you connect foreign word with your native word than with an object, what requires 3 different processes in your brain: associating, recognition and memorising. The direct method needs only memorising and associating. Students learning languages with the direct method have 70% more vocabulary with the same level traditional method students.
Traditional methods used to make you memorise complicated grammar rules to start making sentences. The direct method' grammar is intuitive and applicative. You will be taught how to logically construct sentences as native speakers do.
WHY STUDYING WITH TRANSLATIONS IS BAD?
Why translation is bad?
Finnish is extremely difficult language and it could be very challengeable as well as it is not European language and has no connection with Indo-European languages like English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, German, Russian, Ukrainian, etc. Finnish is Finnish-Ugric language and its closest relatives are Estonian, Karelian, Sami, Hungarian and languages of indigenous people of Russia and Siberia (Mari, Komi, Murti, Ersia, Moksha, Kanti, Mansi, Samoyedi). It has no common logics with European languages and concepts like time or space are introduced differently in grammar. Finnish doesn't use linear time and has no forms for future, no prepositions, no gender aspect, no subjunctive mood, no auxiliary verbs, articles,... Furthermore Finnish is really hard to translate to and from, and even now we have quite poor access to translated world literature in Finnish. Finns prefer read in English.
Students make more mistakes with the new language, translating their native language to Finnish which mostly doesn't work. Our tutors are Finnish natives and they will teach you use language as they use it every day.