Guides · Study methods
How to practise for YKI with Yle's easy-Finnish news
7 min read · by the YKIReady editorial team · last reviewed 1 October 2026
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Yle, Finland's public broadcaster, publishes a short daily news bulletin in selkosuomi (easy Finnish). It is free and comes out every weekday. It also covers the same kinds of topics as YKI: society, health, work, weather and housing. Used with a routine, it is one of the best free YKI resources. Our news page lists the latest episodes. This guide explains how to turn them into exam practice.
Why it suits YKI
- Clear standard Finnish at a slower pace, close to the announcements in the listening section.
- Daily topics give you vocabulary for opinion texts and speaking tasks.
- Each bulletin is only a few minutes long, so it fits into a commute.
The 15-minute routine
- Listen once without text. Write down the topic of each news item in one word.
- Listen again and note one detail per item: a number, a place, a time.
- Read the written version (selkouutiset.fi) and check what you missed.
- Pick five new words and write a sentence for each about your own life.
- Record a 60-second spoken summary of the item you found most interesting.
Adjusting by level
| Your target | Focus | Extra step |
|---|---|---|
| Basic (A1–A2) | Topics and numbers only | Read the text first, then listen |
| Intermediate (B1–B2) | Details and opinions | Write a 5-sentence opinion on one item |
| Advanced (C1) | Move on to standard Yle news | Compare the easy and full versions of a story |
Selkouutiset is slower and simpler than the recordings in the YKI intermediate test. Use it to build vocabulary and confidence, then practise at real speed with timed mock listening tasks.
Frequently asked questions
Is selkouutiset enough for YKI listening?
It is a good start but not enough by itself. The exam also has ordinary-speed conversations and spoken Finnish, so add normal radio, podcasts or timed practice later.
Find out which section would let you down — before the real exam does.