Hanna Huovari, Private Finnish Tutor & YKI Coach (Online) | Kielenrauhaa

I am native Finnish speaker, a registered practical nurse (lähihoitaja) since 2004, and a Finnish language student at Tampere University. Through Kielenrauhaa (Hanna Huovari TMI, business ID 3385799-1), I have taught Finnish and Spanish to more than 300 adult learners since 2019. 

I am currently pursuing my studies at Tampere University. If you would like to verify my active student status or my qualifications as a registered practical nurse, I am more than happy to provide official digital certificates upon request.

I am experienced in teaching Finnish to immigrants, healthcare professionals, and three YKI test levels: basic (1–2), intermediate (3–4) and advanced (5–6). I also offer online via Zoom. I also provide one-on-one Finnish tutoring online.

How Kielenrauhaa started

My path into language teaching is somewhat unusual, and that's part of what makes my approach work.

I qualified and registered as a practical nurse (lähihoitaja) in 2004 and have worked in social and healthcare in both Finland and Spain. In Tampere I worked in home care (kotihoito) and at a shelter service for people experiencing homelessness. In Madrid I cared for older people in private healthcare at El Viso Euroresidencias and worked in Servicios Sociosanitarios at Eulen, among other roles. Living and working in Spain is also where my Spanish deepened from interest into fluency. 

Kielenrauhaa was founded as the bridge between those worlds: the practical, person-centered communication skills I learned in healthcare, the lived experience of learning a second language abroad, and the linguistic depth of a university-level Finnish education.

Teaching methods

My pedagogy is built around four principles:

1. Low-pressure production. You speak from day one, but mistakes are treated as information, not failure.
2. Authentic input. Lessons use real Finnish (and real Spanish) — news, podcasts, short literature, and conversations — alongside structured grammar.
3. Grammar in context. Cases, verb types, and consonant gradation are introduced when you need them to say something, not as abstract rules.
4. Task-based learning. Every lesson has a small communicative goal, such as learn how to book the doctor's appointment, write the email, summarize the article, explain your weekend etc.

Students consistently describe the atmosphere as calm, encouraging, and personally tailored. Course groups are kept intentionally small — usually six seats — so every learner gets feedback in every session.

What I teach

YKI test preparation
I prepare adult learners for the YKI test (Yleinen kielitutkinto, the Finnish national language proficiency test) at levels  intermediate (YKI 3–4, B1–B2) and advanced (YKI 5–6, C1–C2). We practise all four skills the test covers: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Preparation is available one-to-one or in small groups. 

Finnish for healthcare and social care
I'm a registered practical nurse (lähihoitaja) who has worked in home care, shelter services and elderly care in Finland and Spain. I teach the Finnish that nurses, practical nurses and care workers need on the job: patient conversations, workplace vocabulary, documentation and team communication. Lessons are one-to-one. Finnish for healthcare lessons

Private Finnish lessons
One-to-one lessons for adults from complete beginner (A1) to advanced (C2), built around your level and goals, with plenty of speaking. I teach in Finnish, English or Spanish, so Spanish speakers can learn Finnish in their own language. Book a lesson

Small-group courses
Spoken Finnish ("Puhutaan suomeksi") and writing with feedback ("Kirjoitetaan suomeksi"), for learners who want regular practice between exams or courses. Groups are small, usually six learners, so everyone gets to speak and receives feedback. See current courses

Spanish lessons
Private Spanish lessons for Finnish speakers and international learners, for travel, work or DELE exam preparation. I lived in Spain and hold Advanced (C1) level certificate myself. 

Who do I teach?

I teach Finnish and Spanish to adult learners online, one-to-one and in small groups. My students include:

• Immigrants and new residents in Finland preparing for the YKI test, for example for a citizenship application or for work, with preparation at basic, intermediate or advanced level.
• Expats in Tampere, Helsinki, Turku and elsewhere in Finland, and people learning Finnish from abroad, who want Finnish for daily life and work.
• Nurses, practical nurses and care workers trained abroad who need professional Finnish for patient care, documentation and team communication.
• University students and researchers in Finland who need Finnish to work and live outside the English-speaking bubble.
• Adults with Finnish heritage, a Finnish partner or simple curiosity who want to learn at their own pace without pressure.
• Spanish speakers who want to learn Finnish in Spanish, and Finnish speakers and international learners who want to learn Spanish.

All lessons are on Zoom, so you can study from anywhere. I currently teach students in Europe, the Americas and Asia.

Quick Facts
Name Hanna Huovari
Business Kielenrauhaa (Hanna Huovari TMI)
Business ID 3385799-1
Based in Tampere, Finland
Languages taught Finnish, Spanish
Teaching since 2019
Students taught 300+ adult learners
Format Online (Zoom), private and small group
Specialism YKI exam preparation, Finnish for healthcare
Other credentials Registered practical nurse since 2004; Finnish language student, Tampere University