About me, Hanna Huovari — Private Finnish & Spanish Teacher in Tampere

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 200 adult learners since 2019. I am specialized in preparing immigrants, healthcare professionals, and expats for the YKI (Yleinen kielitutkinto) examination at A2, B1, B2, and C1–C2 levels, and offer private one-on-one lessons online via Zoom.

How Kielenrauhaa started

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

First qualified and registered as a practical nurse in 2004, and spent years working in Finnish social and healthcare. I have also lived in Spain, which is where my relationship with the Spanish language deepened from interest into fluency. After becoming a parent, I returned to academic study and enrolled at Tampere University to study my own mother tongue — Finnish (suomen kieli) — formally. I am currently completing bachelor's & master's degree, with Spanish and literature as minor subjects.

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: book the doctor's appointment, write the email, summarize the article, explain your weekend.

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 students say

"I've been taking private Finnish courses with Hanna for six months now, and she's the best teacher of Finnish I've come across — and I've had more than a dozen." — Private student, Superprof

"Her calm and helpful demeanour helped me come out of my shell and start speaking Finnish." — YKI preparation student

"She tailored the sessions to fit my learning style and pace. The focus on practical conversation skills helped me gain confidence in speaking." — Private learner

"If your mother tongue is Spanish and you want to learn Finnish in Spanish — I warmly recommend Hanna." — Spanish-speaking student

What Hanna teaches

Finnish as a second language (suomi vieraana kielenä)

Private one-on-one lessons and small-group courses from absolute beginner (A1) to advanced (C2). Lessons can be conducted in Finnish, English, or Spanish depending on your level and preference.

YKI exam preparation

Targeted preparation for the Yleinen kielitutkinto at all levels — basic (A2), intermediate (B1–B2, YKI 3–4), and advanced (C1–C2). Courses cover all four skills tested: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Finnish for healthcare professionals

A specialism I can offer because I have worked in the field myself: vocabulary, professional communication, patient interaction, and documentation Finnish for nurses, practical nurses, and other social and healthcare workers.

Spanish as a foreign language

Private Spanish lessons for Finnish speakers and international learners, including DELE exam preparation.

Spoken Finnish & writing courses

Conversation-focused small groups ("Puhutaan suomeksi") and feedback-driven writing courses ("Kirjoitetaan suomeksi") for learners who want sustained practice between exams or courses.

Who I work with

• Immigrants and new residents in Finland preparing for citizenship-level YKI tests
• Expats living in Tampere, Helsinki, Turku, and across Finland — or remotely from abroad
• International healthcare workers building professional Finnish for nursing and care work
• University students and researchers in Finland who need to function in Finnish at work and in daily life
• Hobbyist learners with Finnish heritage, partners, or genuine curiosity about the language

All lessons are online via Zoom, which means location doesn't matter — I currently teach students across 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 200+ 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
Working languages Finnish (native), English, Spanish