Does anyone know what the differences are between the FFF offered by the Summer University and the FFF offered by the Open University? I think that the course books are different, so there must be something to differentiate between the two.

University of Helsinki Language Centre - offers courses year-round
http://www.helsinki.fi/kksc/

Helsinki Kesäyliopisto (Summer University) - offers courses year-round
http://www.kesayliopistohki.fi/sivut/

I need to get back to studying.

Took me several minutes of link hoping to find this info from the Open University links:
Not sure if this to refering to their courses or what..

Introduction to Finnish Language and Culture (course number / kurssinro 125) FULLY BOOKED

Introduction to Finnish Language and Culture (course number 126) (3 op, 2 ov) HKKK» Helsinki Helsingin kauppakorkeakoulu/ Avoin yliopisto Kevät 2007
Next Spring

[Status:Julkinen, Type: Kokonaisuuteen kuuluva alajakso] Kie-98.7011 + Kie-98.7012 Finnish intensive course, Finnish 1A + 1B (2+2 op) TKK» Espoo Teknillinen korkeakoulu/Otaniemi Syksy 2006
too late course closed

http://www.avoinyliopisto.fi/urlhaku.as ... 62a16370c5

To me it looks as though. Helsingin kauppakorkeakoulu next spring is your best bet.

http://www.hse.fi/EN/frontpage

I love this info on "Introduction to the Finnish Language course"...
But most of the info is in Finnish...
But I think you can get the gist!
http://www.avoinyliopisto.fi/fi-FI/Opet ... 32d9c2b09a

Not sure there is much difference. A book is a book. If the teacher hangs all his lessons on the coursebook then you have a pretty good idea what to expect....grammar and gap fill exercises. My advice, buy the book, study in the comfort of your own home and save the euros. Some courses even advertise "we will study pages 87 to 154...."

You need to find out who is taking the course and then post his/her name on here and get feedback from students who have already had him/her as a teacher. From what I have heard, the university courses are mostly grammar based and the class sizes are quite large (especially part I II and III) so the students don't get a big opportunity to practise the language in the classroom. Class sizes get smaller the higher you go.

There is also this place www.helsinginaikuisopisto.fi
I did parts I-III there and also a conversation course. I had three different teachers in all, and all 3 were fine in different ways. The class sizes were reasonable (btwn 6 and 15 students) and we were expected to participate, especially in Part 3 and the conversation class.

HTH