Svenska – International Swedish Courses
Academic year 2026-27
12th August 2026 – 22nd May 2027
Application period
The application for the academic year 2026-27 opens 2.2.2026
Learn Swedish at Akan
Borgå folkakademi, Akan, is responsible for Swedish-language integration training in Porvoo. The study program is called Swedish – International Swedish Course.
The integration training is intended for individuals with an ongoing integration period, and the studies are recorded in the person’s integration plan. The goal of the integration training is for the student to become familiar with their new homeland and to acquire linguistic, social, and cultural skills, as well as everyday skills that help them participate in an active daily life, working life, and possible further studies.
The language proficiency goal is to reach level B1.1 (CEFR).
The studies are free of charge for students who have an integration plan.
At the beginning of 2025, a revised law on the promotion of integration came into effect. With the new law, a nationwide final language proficiency test for integration training will be introduced, and the system related to it will be managed by the Finnish National Agency for Education. The language test will be conducted at school at the end of the studies.
The study program consists of full-time studies with five lessons every weekday from August to the end of May. No classes are held during the Christmas break and the winter holiday week in February. The studies include a warm lunch.
Do you have an integration plan that includes integration education? You can ask your case officer at Integration Services to register you for Akan’s integration program.
If you have any questions about our integration education, please contact the program coordinator, Maria Ingman: maria.ingman(at)akan.fi
Read more about integration services in Porvoo:
Integration services Porvoo
More information about integration in Swedish:
www.infofinland.fi/
You Can Study Swedish Even Without an Integration Plan
Swedish is needed in further studies, working life, and participation in society.
You are welcome to study Swedish at Akan even if you are not participating in an integration program. Perhaps you want to refresh your Swedish skills or learn the language from scratch?
If you are an unemployed job seeker, you can agree on your studies with an employment services advisor before starting.
At Akan, you will study Swedish in a goal-oriented way in an inspiring environment. The full-time studies include 25 hours per week, Monday to Friday, and include lunch. The tuition fee is 150€ per month. Akan also offers affordable accommodation during the study terms if needed.
We teach Swedish at two levels:
Svenska – International Swedish Course (Svenska 1)
This is a one-year integration program for beginners at level A0. During the program, you will learn to speak, listen, read, and write in Swedish, with a focus on oral communication. You will gain basic knowledge of Swedish so that you can understand and make yourself understood in various everyday situations. is for you to reach a level of language proficiency equivalent to B1 in the The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Svenska – International Swedish Course (Svenska 2)
This level requires basic knowledge of Swedish. Compared to Swedish 1, this course focuses more on written language skills and language competence for working life, and it prepares students for the intermediate level of the YKI test, which is required for Finnish citizenship.
You can read more about the National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI test) on the website:
https://www.oph.fi/sv/allmanna-sprakexamina-yki
The program’s starting level is A2.1, and the target level is B1.2–B2 according to the CEFR: The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Central subjects in both courses
- Everyday Swedish
- Language accuracy and structures
- Reading and listening comprehension
- Social and cultural studies: Finnish society, services, rights, and responsibilities
- Working life skills: job seeking, workplace practices, and professional communication
- Language and work placement: opportunities to practice language and working life skills in a real workplace
- Guidance and future planning
- Practical language exercises and language projects
- Study trips and excursions
Students must have reading and writing skills in the latin alphabet.
At the end of every school year, we organize a 2-3 day long trip together to some place to practice our Swedish. In the last years we have visited Stockholm, the Åland Islands and Ostrobothnia. Where to go next time is something we decide together within the group.
We withhold the right to change the contents and offers in our courses and educational programmes.
Please feel free to contact us in case you have questions or need assistance.
Phone +358(0)19 576 9500 or send e-mail info(at)akan.fi
Contact and further information
Programme Director:
Maria Ingman | maria.ingman@akan.fi
| 044 914 3612
Place:
Borgå folkakademi, Runebergsgatan 16-18 in the centre of Borgå.
Language of instruction:
The majority of classes are taught in Swedish.
Study fee:
The studies at Svenska – International Swedish Course are free of charge if you have an integration plan with the TE-Office. The education includes lunch (Monday-Friday) and afternoon coffee (Monday-Thursday).
For students without an integration plan, the tuition fee is 150 €/month including lunch (Monday-Friday) and afternoon coffee (Monday-Thursday).
(The fees apply to the academic year 2026-27)
Accommodation:
If you need accommodation you can board in the school’s dormitory connected to the school.
Cost 200 €/month in a shared double room or 260 €/month for a single room, including breakfast Monday-Friday and supper Monday-Thursday.
Further information about accommodation and costs can be found here.
Application period: for the academic year 2026-27 opens 2.2.2026
Our vision
We are an oasis in a more and more hectic and demanding world. With us people of all ages find the paths to live their lives more balanced and with greater resources to influence their lives in a positive manner.