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Are you learning Finnish? Good for you! I’m sure that decision took lots of guts — Finnish is not exactly an easy language to learn.
In fact, the Foreign Service Institute classifies Finnish as a Category III language, which means it’s one of the hardest languages for English speakers to learn. Here, complicated grammar meets a vocabulary boasting lots of double vowels and double consonants. It may not be reassuring to some but it can be a fun challenge to overcome for many learners.
The best way to start is with apps. Lucky for you, there are lots of those. However, if you’re looking for a Babbel Finnish course, I hate to break it to you but that’s yet to exist. It’s also not on Rosetta Stone.
Fret not, there are many Babbel alternatives that you can try. We’re diving into a few of them here. Mennään!
What is Babbel?
First off, what’s Babbel? And why do so many learners turn to it for language learning?
Babbel is among the most popular language learning apps in the market for a handful of reasons (which I listed in my Babbel review). For one, it has well-rounded courses that target all core language skills. The app is one of the most interactive out there, fitting a variety of exercises that’ll keep you engaged.
For another, Babbel puts focuses on getting you to speak like a native. It achieves this with its accurate speech recognition and use of the voices of native speakers. If you’re after authentic lessons, it makes sense to choose Babbel.
That said, Babbel has its limitations. One glaring con is that it only has 14 languages in its roster — and that, unfortunately, leaves no room for Finnish.
The best Babbel alternatives for learning Finnish
The great news is that there are loads of Finnish language learning apps out there for all kinds of learners. These three are my favorites:
1. Mondly
You can think of Mondly as a cross between Babbel and Duolingo. Like Babbel, it features the voices of native speakers. But it also takes on a gamified interface like Duolingo’s.
Mondly teaches Finnish through loads of lessons covering practical, everyday topics. Many of these lessons are presented in conversation format, helping you gain new vocab and learn grammar through context. Plus, it helps build conversational skills.
The gamification of the app is great if you’ve got a competitive streak. Mondly keeps you motivated with weekly quizzes, monthly challenges, and its leaderboard that measures your progress.
Another pro is that this app is free to use! That said, it offers more valuable content with its premium version. Here are the latest Mondly offers.
Key features:
- Short and fun lessons that improve your core language skills
- Relevant topics to help widen vocabulary and improve grammar
- Lots of listening and speaking practice
2. Pimsleur
Try Pimsleur Finnish for FREE today
Pronunciation is one of the easiest aspects of the Finnish language. However, its phonetic values are different from English and hence, still requires a lot of practice.
To nail down Finnish pronunciation and accents, I suggest using Pimsleur. This time-tested app features 30-minute core audio lessons that teach Finnish words and phrases through the voices of native speakers. This method familiarizes you with authentic pronunciation and accent.
What’s more, the app encourages you to mimic native speakers through its call-and-response patterns. Practicing with the app helps you gain confidence in speaking. By the end of the course, expect that you’ve developed your conversational skills.
Key features:
- An audio-based program that trains your listening and speaking skills
- Learn accurate pronunciation and accents from native speakers
- Teaches Finnish vocabulary and grammar from context
3. Ling App
If you’re looking for a comprehensive and engaging app to learn Finnish, well, look no further. Ling App has all the essentials and more.
Ling has over 200 lessons that can take you from beginner Finnish to advanced levels, plus tons of chatbot dialogues to boost your conversational skills. What’s great is that Ling also uses native Finnish speakers to help you perfect your pronunciation.
As if that’s not enough, Ling also has plenty of quizzes and puzzles to challenge you. And though Finnish has only a few characters that aren’t part of the English alphabet, the writing lessons still come in handy.
Key features:
- Engaging mini-games and challenges for learners of all levels
- Chatbot conversations for listening and speaking practice
- Extensive grammar tips and writing practice
Other great resources to learn Finnish
Mondly, Pimsleur, or Ling are great apps to help you master Finnish. But just as we learn various subjects in school using a variety of materials, the same goes for learning languages.
Fortunately, there’s a wealth of resources for you — from apps to Finnish learning books to YouTube channels to comprehensive online Finnish courses!
italki: Personal coaching is one of the best ways you can quickly gain fluency in Finnish. With italki, you can have access to native Finnish speakers who offer lessons at your preferred schedule and budget.
Preply: Learn Finnish efficiently with a private tutor on Preply. Choose from over 55 experienced teachers, including native speakers, to get personalized, one-on-one lessons. Tutors customize your plan for conversational skills, grammar, or YKI test prep. Lessons are flexible and can accelerate your language progress.
Glossika: This app provides a massive collection of sentences to help you improve your grammar and speaking skills in a natural and intuitive way. Glossika’s spaced repetition algorithm ensures that you practice regularly and retain what you learn. It also offers natural audio from native speakers, which is an excellent way to improve listening skills.
Finnish for Foreigners 1: Featuring transcripts from authentic Finnish conversations, this textbook is practical and fun to read. Plus, it comes with extensive notes on grammar and vocabulary for more holistic learning. Here are other Finnish textbooks worth checking out.
FinnishPod101: This well-rounded resource includes tons of free lessons, free vocabulary lists, a YouTube channel, a podcast, and more free resources. Whether you like your lessons in audio or video format, FinnishPod101’s got your back.
Berlitz Phrase Book & Dictionary Finnish: A bilingual dictionary always comes in handy when learning languages. Berlitz Finnish phrasebook/dictionary is pocket-sized but contains everything you need to know to hold a conversation with a local. It even comes with an app!
Cudoo: Choose from a range of Finnish online courses that suit different levels and various requirements. Whether you’re looking for conversation practice or aiming to learn business terms, Cudoo’s well-organized courses can help.
HelloTalk: If you can’t visit Finland to learn the language, the next best thing is to talk to a native Finnish speaker online. Language exchange apps like HelloTalk can do the trick. Here, you can get connected to Finns who are eager to teach their language and learn yours.
uTalk: This gamified app is all about quickly building your Finnish vocabulary, taking you through fun exercises to teach over 2,500 everyday words across more than 60 topics. The best part? You get clear pronunciation practice from both male and female native Finnish speakers, and you can record yourself to perfect your accent.
Drops: One of the most visually-appealing apps out there, Drops is a great app for building your Finnish vocabulary. With beautiful illustrations and a well-designed interface, you can learn new Finnish words and phrases drop by drop.
Aleksi Himself: Granted, Aleksi’s channel is not focused on teaching Finnish. But he does have a few videos on language-related subjects that learners will find useful. Most of his videos tackle what it’s like to live/study/date in Finland and he offers lots of insights into Finnish culture — absolutely interesting if you want a holistic approach to learning Finnish.
Conclusion
While there’s no Finnish on Babbel, that shouldn’t stop you from learning this beautiful language. The above alternatives, complemented by some of the best Finnish learning resources, already give you the head start you need.
Just remember that learning any language requires motivation and determination. It’s definitely the case with Finnish. If you’re committed enough, there’s no reason you can’t be a fluent Finnish speaker. Keep learning, trust the process, and look forward to your progress!
Babbel alternatives for learning Finnish – Pin it!
