Learning strategies to overcome challenges in learning Finnish and preparing for the National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI): A qualitative study of Vietnamese adult immigrants in Finland

Abstract

The population of Vietnamese adult immigrants has increased rapidly in recent years in Finland. The results of earlier studies indicate that language is one of the main barriers for immigrants' integration in Finland. This means that the need to support these Vietnamese immigrants in learning Finnish has also been increasing, particularly to help them reach the B1 level in the National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI; Finnish:Yleiset kielitutkinnot), as it is required for applying for Finnish citizenship. But limited research has been done on the Finnish learning process and the YKI test preparation among this population. Therefore, this qualitative study aims to address this gap by exploring their Finnish learning experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight Vietnamese adult immigrants who had passed the YKI test to examine the challenges they faced in their Finnish learning journey and to identify the effective learning strategies that supported them to overcome these challenges. This study adopts a qualitative, theory-driven analytical approach based on Oxford’s Strategic Self-Regulation (S2R) framework, and the findings show that these immigrants faced multi-layered challenges, including linguistic, systemic, and psychological difficulties. Three main patterns were identified in how they responded to these challenges. These include the flexible and creative use of cognitive strategies to address linguistic difficulties, the proactive and self-directed use of metastrategies to compensate for systemic challenges, and the integration of multiple strategies to manage psychological difficulties. While the overall structure of Oxford’s S2R model is supported by this study, the findings show how learning strategies are applied beyond prototypical examples described in this model to meet the Vietnamese learners’ specific contexts and needs. The findings further suggest that digital learning resources, including emerging AI-based tools, can play an important role in supporting these learners in using learning strategies to overcome their difficulties in learning Finnish