Do I need to be Finnish or live in Finland to study with Espanjan Nurkka?
No.
Espanjan Nurkka specialises in teaching Spanish in Finland because this is where I live, and I have extensive experience teaching Spanish to Finnish students.
However, your nationality or country of residence does not matter. Any adult can study with Espanjan Nurkka, regardless of where they live.
Which course is right for me?
If you've never studied Spanish before, or if it's been many years since you last learned it (for example, at school) and you've forgotten the basics, I recommend starting with the A0 level.
If you already know some Spanish but aren't sure which group is the best fit for you, you can request a level assessment through the registration form.
How long do the courses last?
Courses usually begin in mid-September and finish in mid-June.
During the 2026–2027 academic year, classes will begin in week 40 (28 September–2 October) and end in week 24 (14–18 June).
You can also join a group after the academic year has started, if there are places available. If you do, you'll receive a personalised study plan to help you catch up at your own pace.
If there is enough demand, intensive summer courses will also be offered.
Private lessons are available throughout the year, except on public holidays and during the teacher’s personal holidays.
What does it mean that the groups are currently being formed?
Espanjan Nurkka groups have 2–6 students and are formed according to students’ level and availability.
When you register, you can select all the days and times that usually work for you. I will contact you by email within 24–48 hours on weekdays to let you know the current situation regarding groups at your level.
If there is not yet a suitable group, I will keep your registration so that I can offer you a place when a new group is formed. Sharing your availability does not commit you to anything and there is no charge.
Can I join a course after the academic year has started?
Yes.
You can join as long as there are places available in the group.
You'll receive a personalised study plan so you can work through the previous course content at your own pace.
Can I book private lessons?
Yes.
We offer one-to-one lessons, and individual sessions can also be booked as a complement to group courses, for example, to work on a specific area of the language or prepare for a particular goal.
One-to-one lessons cost €60/hour (VAT included). We also offer discounted lesson packages, which you can find on our website.
Our methodology is based on a community learning model. We believe that using the language with different people enriches the learning experience and helps build the confidence needed to communicate in real-life situations. That is why, even if you choose one-to-one lessons, you will still be part of the community and, if you wish, you can occasionally take part in learning activities with other students.
How do payments work?
Payments are made by bank transfer.
You will receive your invoice by email. For group courses, invoices are issued monthly or quarterly, depending on the payment option you have chosen. For one-to-one lessons, the invoice will correspond to the service purchased: a single lesson or a 5- or 10-hour package.
Payment must be made in advance. For example, monthly payments are due during the first week of each month, while quarterly payments are due during the first week of the first month of each quarter.
If you prefer, you can also request an e-invoice (e-lasku) if you use a Finnish bank.
What happens during holidays and public holidays?
Holidays are, above all, a time to rest and enjoy time with family and friends. For this reason, no classes will be held during the school holidays and public holidays listed below.
These breaks have already been taken into account when calculating the total course price. Therefore, the monthly fee remains the same throughout the academic year, regardless of the number of classes that fall within each month.
For one-to-one lessons, no lessons will be scheduled during these periods.
During the 2026–2027 academic year, there will be no classes during the following periods:
Autumn break: 12–18 October 2026 (week 42)
Christmas break: 23 December 2026–6 January 2027
Winter break: 8–14 March 2027 (week 10)
Additional day off: 7 May 2027
What happens if I can't attend a class?
Don't worry.
For group courses, the teacher will upload all the lesson materials to the learning platform and will be happy to help you catch up at no additional cost.
For one-to-one lessons, you can reschedule or cancel a lesson by giving at least 24 hours’ notice. If less than 24 hours’ notice is given, the lesson will be charged or deducted from your lesson package.
Illness and emergencies are exceptions to this policy.
What happens if a lesson has to be cancelled?
At the moment, Espanjan Nurkka has one teacher. Occasionally, illness or an unexpected personal emergency may make it impossible to teach a lesson or arrange a substitute.
In that case, our first priority will be to reschedule the lesson for everyone who can attend the new session. If that's not possible, a video version of the lesson will be recorded and all learning materials will be shared on the learning platform so that no one misses out.
What are the "5 Minutes of Spanish a Day"?
At Espanjan Nurkka, we use microlearning, an approach based on learning through short, regular learning moments throughout the week.
From Monday to Friday, we share small learning activities on our online platform that take just a few minutes to complete. Their purpose is to maintain learning continuity, reinforce what you've learned in class, prepare you for upcoming topics and help you absorb the language naturally.
They are also one of our most important tools for personalising the learning experience. While group lessons are designed around the shared goals of the class, these daily five-minute activities allow your teacher to focus much more closely on each student's interests, needs and personal goals.
After all, learning Spanish as a hobby is very different from learning it for work or to communicate with your Spanish-speaking partner's family.
Is there homework?
We believe that consistency is the key to learning a language.
That's why we created our "5 Minutes of Spanish a Day" concept: a simple and sustainable way to keep learning between lessons.
Can I join the events even if I only know a little Spanish?
Absolutely!
Our events are informal get-togethers where we practise using Spanish together. It doesn't matter if you only know a few words or if you sometimes mix Spanish with Finnish or English.
What matters most is meeting other people, enjoying yourselves and having the confidence to use the language we're learning together.
Can I suggest an event?
Of course!
Events at Espanjan Nurkka are created together with the community. Any student is welcome to suggest an idea, and together we'll make it happen.
What is the support language?
At Espanjan Nurkka, we believe that Spanish is best learned through Spanish. That's why lessons are taught entirely in Spanish, with the language adapted to the group's level so that everyone can follow and participate.
However, if you have any customer service questions, such as payments, enrolment, courses or any other practical matters, you're welcome to contact your teacher by email or WhatsApp in either Finnish or English. We'll reply in the same language.
What if I don't feel confident speaking Spanish yet?
That's completely normal.
Speaking a new language can feel intimidating for almost everyone.
At Espanjan Nurkka, your teacher's role is to guide you and give you the tools you need to start using Spanish from day one. We don't expect perfection, only curiosity, a willingness to learn and the confidence to see mistakes as opportunities to grow.
How are one-to-one lesson times arranged?
One-to-one lesson times are arranged according to the availability of both the student and the teacher.
You can choose a fixed weekly time or, if you prefer more flexibility, book each lesson separately through the booking calendar.
Lessons must be booked at least one week in advance, so that each session can be properly prepared and adapted to your needs.
How long are one-to-one lesson packages valid for?
One-to-one lesson packages are valid for 6 months from the date of purchase.
During this period, you can schedule your lessons flexibly according to your needs and availability, as long as lessons are booked at least one week in advance.
If an exceptional situation prevents you from using your lessons within the validity period, you can contact me so we can discuss your situation.
How can I cancel my enrolment?
If you decide to leave the course, simply let your teacher know by email.
Please give at least 7 days' notice before your next lesson.
If you've already paid for a monthly or quarterly period, we'll refund the amount corresponding to any unused weeks.
We hope you'll stay at Espanjan Nurkka because you enjoy learning with us, not because you're tied to a long-term contract.
How can I withdraw from my course during the withdrawal period?
You can withdraw from the contract within the statutory 14-day withdrawal period without having to provide any reason.
To exercise your right, please use our withdrawal form.
If the classes have started before the withdrawal period has expired at your express request, the conditions applicable to services already provided may apply in accordance with applicable law.
What makes Espanjan Nurkka different?
We believe Espanjan Nurkka is much more than a Spanish language school.
It's a learning community where Spanish isn't limited to one lesson a week. We encourage you to use the language from day one, learn together in small groups, receive personalised support and feel accompanied throughout your entire learning journey.
Here, the teacher isn't the centre of the classroom but a guide who supports your learning. Our goal is to create a safe environment where Spanish can be used, explored, shared and, above all, enjoyed together with others.
If you have any further questions, we recommend reading the terms and conditions. If you cannot find the information you are looking for, you can contact us by email at maria@espanjannurkka.fi.
