English Classes In Helsinki

Autumn Term 2025: 20 January – 3. March (6 sessions)
Level: B2 / C1
Location: Helsinki, Runeberginkatu 22–24
Form: Hybrid (in-person or live online)
Price: €67
Teacher: Daniel Palmer, MA
Teacher Testimonials: Testimonials | Edyssey
Sign up: Learn English through TED Talks (B2-C1) - Helsingin aikuisopisto

• Week 1 – How to Be Happy – Matthieu Ricard
• What happiness really means
• Wellbeing and emotional vocabulary
• Cultural differences in how happiness is understood and pursued

Week 2 – The Power of Introverts – Susan Cain

• Different personality types in work and life
• Why introversion is often misunderstood
• Communicating confidently as an introvert or extrovert

Week 3 – How Great Leaders Inspire Action – Simon Sinek

• Clear and persuasive communication
• The power of purpose (“Start with Why”)
• Speaking in a way that inspires others

Week 4 – The Skill of Self-Confidence – Dr. Ivan Joseph

• How confidence is built, not born
• The role of self-talk
• Practical strategies for speaking more confidently in English

Week 5 – The Case for Emotional Intelligence – Daniel Goleman

• Emotions and communication
• Empathy at work
• Handling difficult conversations

Week 6 – Is Social Media Bad for You? – Cal Newport

• Attention and technology
• Developing digital habits
• Expressing opinions about technology

I (Dan) will be running this IELTS preperation course at Helsingin Aikuisopisto (Helsinki Adult Education Centre) from January. The course is hybrid so can be attended online or in-person in Helsinki.

Sign up with the below link: TThe IELTS Advanced C1 Prep Course (C1) - Helsingin aikuisopisto
Details:

Course location: Helsingin aikuisopisto (katso aulan monitorista), Runeberginkatu 22-24, 00100 Helsinki

Date and time: Wednesdays 17.00 - 19.30

Date: 21.1.–25.3.2026

Cost: 150.00 €

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a basic requirement for entry to most European universities and polytechnics, but also many employers recognize it. On this course we will be practising communication across all four language skills – speaking, listening, reading and writing- and a couple of mock tests in an encouraging atmosphere. Also well suitable for people who are not interested in taking the exam itself but who just want to improve their general, advanced English skills.
Exams are held every month once or more at FINNBRIT (www.finnbrit.fi) in Helsinki during the autumn.
This course is a face-to-face course but you can also take part on the course online if you wish. The teacher will send you a Zoom invitation before the course starts, so it is recommended for the participants to register for the course at least three days before its start. In addition to an internet connection, you will need the amplifier/headphones and microphone of your computer or mobile device.

Level
Kurssin taitotaso on C1-C2 ja se sopii lukion englannin tai vastaavan lukeneille, joilla kielitaito on aktiivinen. Lue lisää kielten taitotasoista verkkosivuiltamme.

The level of the course is C1-C2. You can find more information about language proficiency levels (CEFR = Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) on our website.

Coursebook
Mindset for IELTS Student’s Book Level 3 with Updated Digital Pack (Archer, Wijayatilake; ISBN 9781009280310; publisher Cambridge 2023).
The set coursebooks for the language courses can be purchased from bookshops, online bookstores, or the publishers’ websites. The institute is not liable for the acquisition of coursebooks.

Teaching language

English

Additional information

The sessions include a 15-minute break.

Sports and Culture benefits
Language courses cannot be paid for using sports and culture benefits (such as Edenred, Epassi, or Smartum). If you wish to use your personal culture benefit for self-directed study, the institute can make a separate agreement with your employer. Please contact student guidance or the office for more information.
Enrolment after the course has started
You can enrol on this course even after it has started. The lessons you have missed from the beginning can be reduced from the total course fee, please contact our office toimisto@helao.fi to get the reduction.

Course Dates: 10.3.–14.4.2026 (6 sessions)
Day & Time: Tuesdays, 17:00–18:30
Level: B2 / C1
Location: Helsingin Aikuisopisto, Runeberginkatu 22–24, Helsinki
Price: €67
Teacher: Daniel Palmer, MA Education, TEFL
Sign up: Learn English through Book Summaries (B2-C1) - Helsingin aikuisopisto

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Weekly Topics
Week 1 – Thinking, Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman

We discuss:

• The two ways the mind works: fast instinct vs. slow logic
• Why we sometimes make poor decisions
• Vocabulary for discussing choices & problem-solving

Week 2 – Atomic Habits – James Clear

• How small daily actions lead to big results
• Breaking bad habits and building good ones
• Vocabulary for habits and change

Week 3 – The Power of Now – Eckhart Tolle

• Living fully in the present moment
• Reducing stress and staying focused
• Language for mindfulness, awareness, and inner peace

Week 4 – How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie

• Building trust and improving communication
• Persuasion, empathy, and rapport
• Role-playing real-life social situations

Week 5 – Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind – Yuval Noah Harari

• The story of human development and civilizations
• Summarising major events in history
• Debating the most impactful human inventions

Week 6 – Happiness – Matthieu Ricard

• What makes a happy life
• Comparing different views on happiness
• Vocabulary for emotions, values, and well-being

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