FinnishPod101 Review: An In-Depth Look
Kelsey Wetherbee
Published on September 25, 2024
FinnishPod101 is a great option for absolute beginners.
FinnishPod101 is best for beginner students since there aren’t as many lessons for more advanced students. It has a lot of content and tools to help you learn fundamental vocabulary. You have access to audio and video lessons presented by native speakers, vocabulary lists, and new content uploaded regularly.
PROS
- Vocabulary lists for everyday conversations
- Organized content that's easy to navigate
- Record yourself and compare it with the lesson audio
CONS
- It’s not very interactive
- Not much content for visual learning
- Navigation throughout the app can be confusing
Table of Contents
Who Should Use FinnishPod101 FinnishPod101 Overview FinnishPod101 Price FinnishPod101 Review: Overall Learning Experience FinnishPod101 Alternatives and Competitors FinnishPod101 Review: FAQWho Should Use FinnishPod101
FinnishPod101 is a great choice if you’re new to Finnish because it teaches essential vocabulary and phrases for everyday conversation. The lessons consist of podcasts that include phrases and conversations spoken by native speakers that are then broken down so you can understand. There are lessons for absolute beginner to advanced learners, which is something that you can’t find in many similar apps. It also gives you access to vocabulary lists, transcripts, flashcards, and a word bank for future reference, making it a versatile tool if you’re looking to improve your Finnish skills.
FinnishPod101 Overview
FinnishPod101 offers a structured learning program with five main levels. It begins with a list of pathways (modules), and you can choose the one you prefer. Some of these pathways are “Survival Phrases” which includes essential vocabulary, and “Basic Bootcamp” which focuses on grammar and vocabulary. Each pathway contains lessons and offers features like transcripts, dialogues, and key vocabulary. All lessons are audio-based but you can also read a transcript, listen to each line, and record yourself repeating it to compare your pronunciation. This is an excellent way to practice speaking Finnish if you don’t have an in-person teacher to help you.
In addition to the lesson pathways, FinnishPod101 provides many more useful resources. You can find vocabulary lists for daily-life topics, a convenient word bank for storing and reinforcing words, and a Word of the Day feature for quick learning. The app also offers a Finnish dictionary, core word lists, and essential phrases to help you improve your vocabulary quickly.
FinnishPod101 Price
FinnishPod101 has three subscription levels: Basic costs $8.00 per month, Premium costs $25.00 per month, and Premium PLUS costs $47.00 per month. The Basic learning plan provides access to the lessons, the 100 most common words, and lesson notes, while the Premium plan adds features like specialized lesson tracks, the 2000 most common words list, flashcards, multiple choice assessments, personalized word bank, vocabulary lists, pronunciation practice tools, and HD video content. The Premium PLUS plan offers everything in the Premium package but adds the guidance of a private instructor and graded assignments.
The best pricing plan for you depends on your learning style and goals. The Premium PLUS option offers the benefit of receiving written feedback from a tutor, but it’s important to note that it doesn’t offer live classes. This makes the price tag a bit steep. The Premium plan is a good option because you can access all lessons and extra learning tools available. The Basic plan is good if you’re on a budget and want to test the waters of learning Finnish.
FinnishPod101 Free Trial
FinnishPod101 offers a free 7-day trial to new users, allowing you to explore the app’s features and resources. Additionally, you get access to a free lifetime account once you sign up, which gives you access to a limited number of features on FinnishPod101. There’s also a 60-day money-back guarantee, with a refund option if you’re dissatisfied with the app.
FinnishPod101 Review: Overall Learning Experience
My journey with FinnishPod101 has been quite enjoyable! The app is loaded with accessible resources that make learning the Finnish language easy. The lessons are well-organized and beginner-friendly, so it was easy for me to progress at my own pace. One of my favorite features was the interactive pronunciation practice. I enjoyed recording my own phrases and comparing them to native speaker audio. It was fun but also helpful for getting those Finnish sounds right.
However, the app’s layout could use some reorganizing. Sometimes, finding my way through the various resources was confusing. A more user-friendly interface would make the experience even better. Still, despite this small bump, FinnishPod101 offers fantastic content. I was pleasantly surprised that after just one lesson, I could already say hello and use basic phrases.
FinnishPod101 Alternatives and Competitors
If you’re looking for alternatives to FinnishPod101, there are many options around. Pimsleur is another audio-based app with a big emphasis on speaking and pronunciation. Mondly has a gamified approach that is suitable for beginners, and uses cool technology to make learning interactive. However, Mondly’s approach is less structured than FinnishPod101.
With Glossika, you can practice learning and using Finnish vocabulary in context. The app focuses on listening and repeating to teach you how to apply vocabulary in different scenarios, so it’s best if you already know some Finnish. Mango Languages offers practical conversational skills and cultural insights, with access through libraries or individual subscriptions. Each app has it’s own approach to Finnish, so it’s best to try out a few to see what works best for you.
FinnishPod101 Review: FAQ
FinnishPod101 is worth considering if you’re interested in learning Finnish. It offers a range of subscription options, including a free trial, and provides structured lessons and a lot of resources. However, there is more content for beginner learners than advanced ones, so you might be better off considering other options if you already have a high level of Finnish.
FinnishPod101 has a 7-day free trial that lets you test the app’s features. You can ceate an account and have a free lifetime subscription that gives you access to some of the lessons and features of the app. However, the full range of resources requires a subscription. These subscriptions vary in price and offer different levels of access.
Finnish is considered one of the most challenging languages to learn for English speakers. The US Department of State ranks it as Category III language, meaning it’s considered difficult for English speakers to learn. Finnish has a complex grammar structure and distinct linguistic features. However, with dedication and the right resources, you can certainly learn the language.
The easiest way to learn Finnish depends on your learning style and preferences. Using a combination of language apps like FinnishPod101, textbooks, language exchange partners, and immersion methods can be effective. Find what works best for you and choose the approach that best suits your learning style.
The time it takes to become fluent in Finnish can vary depending on various factors like your prior language learning experience, study habits, and the amount of time you dedicate to study. To get an idea, you can use our Fluency Calculator to get an estimate of how long it will take you to reach a specific level. Keep in mind that language learning is a gradual process, and consistency is key to making progress.
About This FinnishPod101 Review
This is an independent FinnishPod101 review, and the company has not sponsored this article. To write this review, I signed up, got access to the 7-day free trial, and used it for a few hours to thoroughly test its content and features. In addition, I found information like pricing, on the FinnishPod101 website to verify my findings.
