Opettelemalla

Opettelemalla is a Finnish gerund form that means “by practicing” or “through practice.” It is derived from the verb opettele- (to learn by practice) with the -malla suffix, used to express the manner in which an action is performed. The well-known expression opettelemalla oppii translates roughly to “one learns by practicing” and is commonly used to encourage repetition and hands-on learning.

Usage and context: The form is common in educational and coaching language as well as everyday speech to emphasize that skill development happens through repeated effort. It aligns with the broader idea of experiential learning or learning by doing. Examples include: “Opettelemalla uutta kieltä voit oppia nopeasti.” “Opettelemalla vähän joka päivä voit kehittyä.” The gerund can function as an adverbial modifier, as in “Opettelemalla teknisiä taitoja hän edistyy.”

Relation to learning theory and caveats: The concept stresses the role of practice, but successful outcomes depend on guidance, correct technique, feedback, and reflection. Merely “opettelemalla” without structure can solidify errors. In practice, it is often paired with deliberate practice and feedback to maximize improvement. It is a standard part of Finnish pedagogy and everyday speech, illustrating how language encodes experiential learning.