A recap of the past month’s posts, all in a handy format!
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What fall can teach us…reflections & insights
September 20th, 2019 Posted by irina Life
This year, two themes have stood out for me as we head into the fall: 1) fall is the best season for a new perspective and 2) it’s a time to intentionally slow down. Symbolically, fall has long been celebrated as a time to reflect on: balance (between night and day), impending darkness, change and transformation (and how foliage reminds us of the beauty, alongside the death, of transitions)…
Read more...Most common Finnish struggles from a new perspective
September 12th, 2019 Posted by irina Language
Do you struggle from one of the five most common Finnish struggles? You’re not alone! These are so common, but so seldom discussed, they’re mainstream! Here they are, along with a new perspective to consider…
Read more...An embarrassing story about learning Finnish & questioning what we know
September 1st, 2019 Posted by irina Finnish, Insights
I recently met an Italian woman who asked me what I do for a living.
“I help people learn Finnish.”
“Oh, so you’re a Finnish teacher?”
“Sort of, not exactly. I teach people the process of learning Finnish.”
She looked at me quizzically, “But why would I need the process? I can go to classes to learn Finnish.”
In an ideal world, you would go to Finnish class and – voila! You’d speak Finnish.
If that were the case, you wouldn’t be reading this…
5 questions to ask before taking another Finnish course
August 23rd, 2019 Posted by irina Language
What do you I want to learn before 2019 comes to a close?
If taking another Finnish course comes to mind, but you’re hesitating for whatever reason, read this first.
Many people equate taking a Finnish course with learning Finnish. But there are many ways to learn Finnish; a course is just the most traditional way. It may or may not be what you need right now.
Read more...YLE interview on Quebec, being Canadian, multilingualism & identity
July 11th, 2019 Posted by irina My Story, News | Announcements | Updates
Listen to YLE’s series ‘Kanadan kasvatit‘
My episode deals with multilingualism and multiculturalism and experiences in Montreal and Quebec that shaped my view of these. You can listen in on YLE Areena by clicking here.
Continued: What we should have learned in school podcast w/ Amy Leo – Part 2
May 23rd, 2019 Posted by irina Interviews, Language
Amy and I talk about learning Finnish, languages and learning in general – a common interest we share, seeing as we’re both married to Finns. We had so much fun that we ended up doing a 2 part episode (under 20 mins each!). So here’s what we covered in part 2’s episode:
Read more...On the ‘What We Should Have Learned in School’ podcast w/ Amy Leo – part 1
May 19th, 2019 Posted by irina Interviews, Language
I recently sat down with Amy Leo from the What We Should Have Learned in School podcast to talk about learning Finnish. (My heart swooned when I heard the title of her podcast for the first time!!) We had so much fun that we ended up doing a 2 part episode
Read more...On the W8 podcast: my first Finnish interview!
May 12th, 2019 Posted by irina Interviews, My Story
About 6 months ago, Robson asked me to come on the W8 podcast, with him and Wille, to tell my story – in Finnish.
About 6 months ago, I wasn’t quite sure what my story was, let alone how to tell it in Finnish. So I waited a bit until I couldn’t wait anymore, and one day called Robson to say: “I’m ready. Let’s do it.”
Read more...Why we need Finnish Through New Eyes
April 21st, 2019 Posted by irina Language
Traditional methods of learning Finnish are failing us and we need a new paradigm of learning: one that’s fun & feels good, that’s centered around our needs as individuals. So what does seeing Finnish through new eyes look like? What does it ask us to leave behind, and how do we get there?
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Hi! I’m Irina.
I’m a multibelonger to Finland, Canada and Romania, without ONE language or culture to call my own – I have several. My intention is to be present where I am and find inner peace and harmony where ever life takes me. I’m embracing the gems of the ongoing cultural and linguistic transition which is my life and hope to inspire others interested in doing the same. Read my story & more about what I do here.
