My Oulu: Finnish Red Cross to start language cafe in Oulu again after hiatus – all levels of Finnish learners are welcome

Joining the Language Cafe is free of charge, and there is no need to sign up. During the summer, Language Cafe will be operating on Wednesdays 4.6-27.8. at 16.00-17.30.

Language cafe will be an informal learning and conversational group, and the focus is on the spoken language.

“We are able to modify the conversations depending on each learner’s abilities”, Red Cross volunteer Laila Vainio says. The conversations in the Cafe can be spontaneous, or they can be guided through specific topics or word games.

Language Cafe volunteers agree that there is a demand for an informal conversational group for Finnish learners. Anyone learning Finnish will face the challenge in learning both written and spoken language, and Oulu dialect can be difficult to understand. The way to overcome this challenge is to hear locals speak as much as possible.

There will be several volunteers present during the group meetings that guide the Finnish learners and are at hand if any questions arise. Volunteers agree that they take in consideration what Language Cafe attendees want to learn – there is no set structure, and everyone’s wishes will be heard.

All levels of learners welcome

In the past years when the Language Cafe was last active, some people joined the group to do their Finnish homework because needed support in reviewing the answers. Some learners might already be working or studying but need additional support in spoken language learning. Everyone is allowed to join, no matter what level of Finnish they have.

The presence of the volunteers mean that anyone can also ask about practical matters regarding to living in Finland.

“The group is rather informal, and not like school”, Vainio says.

“Language Cafe is also a place to meet new friends. We have been arranging other activities also, such as going to the cinema or day trips away – we don’t always have to stay indoors”, Vainio says.

The focus is on the community and trying to make sure no one is left alone – values that are known to be important in the operation of Red Cross worldwide.

“Language Cafe has been great for people with immigrant background looking for community work, for example. Some may have joined the Language Cafe, gained interest in what we are doing and eventually found other groups as well”, Vainio adds.

Anyone is welcome to volunteer

The Red Cross is known for is diversity in worldwide humanitarian work. In addition to Language Cafe, Oulu department organizes for example Friends Cafe (Ystäväkahvila), Health info (Terveyspiste), support for people moving into Finland for the first time, and food help that makes use of food items that are being under the threat of expiring or being thrown away.

All groups are open to everybody – whether one is from Finland, or moved from elsewhere.

“It is possible to navigate voluntary work even without common language. For example, we offer blood pressure takings in our Health Info group. You don’t need language for that”, Vainio explains.

“If anyone is interested in volunteering, more information can be found on Rednet.fi. At OMA Punainen Risti, you can create a profile, and choose what kind of volunteering you are interested in. We will contact you via email when an opportunity to volunteer is possible”, Vainio says.

More information about the Finnish Red Cross can be found at Facebook (SPR Oulun Osasto) and in Oulu event calendar on Rednet.fi.