Our alum Samah Al-Hethaf: Adult education feels important and rewarding

Instruction covers language and culture, but often much more

Samah Al-Hethaf works at Tampere Adult Education Centre as an S2 teacher for immigrants. The students studying Finnish as a foreign language are highly diverse. They represent a wide range of ages and nationalities, from Ukrainians to Vietnamese and Sri Lankans.

The main focus in the instruction is Finnish language and culture, but students often ask Samah about other things, too. Some of the students have no other contacts in Finland in their free time.

“We teach many of the basic skills students need to get into studies or work. Our students also need help with practical things that are self-evident to us Finns, such as getting a travel card and using the Nysse app,” Samah lists.

The instruction is given in Finnish, and another important teaching method is drawing. Students often take photographs of Samah's drawings. 

In this line of work, you really feel like you're doing something important. My latest course finished recently, and I thought to myself, ‘Oh my gosh: we started with the basics just a short while ago, and now the students can actually speak Finnish and manage in this country."

Samah Al-Hethaf

“In this line of work, you really feel like you're doing something important. My latest course finished recently, and I thought to myself, ‘Oh my gosh: we started with the basics just a short while ago, and now the students can actually speak Finnish and manage in this country, ’” Samah says.

The path has led to the right place 

Samah herself arrived in Finland from Iraq at the age of 6 through a refugee camp. After completing primary school and upper secondary school, she graduated as a practical nurse and also worked as one. Along the years, she also accumulated work experience as a teacher and an early childhood educator. She is also a business college graduate.

“I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was at school, but applying to university didn't really cross my mind after upper secondary school. There were no university students in my immediate circle and there was no one to advise me. It was only later that I started thinking I was capable of more. I decided to apply and got in on the first try,” Samah says.

Although Samah had already accumulated a lot of experience in education, the lecturers’ language seemed difficult to understand at first. When Samah finally got around to mentioning this to a course mate, it turned out that she was not alone: the specialised vocabulary simply needed to be learned. The terminology soon became familiar, and Samah eventually completed her degree efficiently and within target time.

In her current position, Samah is able to use both her studies and practical experience in education to help her students.

In the past, I sometimes questioned my decision to become a practical nurse first – why didn't I apply to university straight away? But in my current work, all my history is highly helpful. I can help students better by knowing about practical nurse studies and work, speaking Finnish and having the expertise I gained from my university degree. Now I know that this is how it was meant to be."

Samah Al-Hethaf

“In the past, I sometimes questioned my decision to become a practical nurse first – why didn't I apply to university straight away? But in my current work, all my history is highly helpful. I can help students better by knowing about practical nurse studies and work, speaking Finnish and having the expertise I gained from my university degree. Now I know that this is how it was meant to be,” Samah says.

Let’s meet each other halfway

Samah says that her current work as an educator requires not only linguistic skills and content competence but also social skills. Educators work very close to students' personal territory.

“In adult education, we must keep in mind that the students really are adults. Many of our students have a lot going on in their lives during the studies, and they may also have had colourful histories in their home countries,” says Samah.

The future of students with an immigrant background in Finland is also influenced by Finns. It would be beneficial for everyone if native Finns could clarify their own communication when necessary.

“Something wonderful happened just recently: an organisation ordered a plain Finnish course for their Finnish staff from us. Challenges can be overcome when both sides meet each other halfway,” Samah says with a smile.

Text: Tiina Leivo