Laurea Living Labs

Integration and language learning Living Lab i4L

i4L offers research-based services that help companies, communities and public actors develop multilingual work environments, language-aware practices and user-centred solutions.

What can i4L offer companies, organisations and communities?

We support organisations through coaching, analyses, workshops, co-creation and various testing and research services so that diversity, competence and smooth everyday functioning can be realised as well as possible.

i4L offers diverse services at the intersection of research, co-creation and multilingual expertise. We help organisations develop solutions that support language learning, inclusion, the smooth functioning of multilingual workplaces and the accessibility of various services.

Our service offering includes, for example, coaching, analyses, testing, method development, expert work and extensive development processes, which are always adapted and shaped according to need, situation and context.

Streamlining recruitment

We help you make job adverts, criteria and processes clear and equitable so that international professionals can offer their skills fully. We help develop tools and practices that make potential visible already at the application stage.

Speeding up onboarding and reducing errors

We clarify the linguistic requirements of tasks and help formulate instructions and materials so that they are understandable and easy to adopt. This enables a new employee to get into the work early and provides the work community with functioning structures to support onboarding.

Facilitating multilingual everyday operations

We support work communities in building practices so that different language backgrounds do not slow down work but support it. We help develop communication, interaction and work processes so that they function smoothly for everyone. We strengthen on-the-job language learning as part of normal work. Ideation is linked to the organisation’s strategy and future competitiveness.

Leveraging the potential of international experts

We help organisations make skills visible and build pathways that enable progression to demanding specialist and supervisory roles. We also work with managers so that they have effective tools to lead multilingual expert teams.

Strengthening the work community

We support the development of structures for equality, safety and inclusion throughout the employment lifecycle. We offer solutions that help build a workplace where diversity is a strength and where everyone can succeed.

Testing the viability of a product, service or idea

We help companies evaluate and develop products, services and materials in real use situations, especially when user groups are multilingual or otherwise diverse. We offer usability, user and validation testing that clearly shows how a solution works, where ambiguities arise and what should be developed next. We also provide service design that is accessible and takes diversity into account. 

Developing operations or services in a multilingual manner

We help municipalities, associations and other actors build services that reach different language groups equally. We support the development of communication, participation and service pathways so that they function in diverse environments. In addition, we assist in project preparation and can act as a partner or coordinator for projects seeking external funding.

The Living Lab space as a learning and research infrastructure

The i4L space is part of Laurea’s open learning and research infrastructure. The space can be used for community-driven development, focus groups, etc. The space is available when there is no teaching. The rental of the space is invoiced according to Laurea’s general rates. Activities must be inclusive and non-discriminatory, preferably user-centred. Some methods and research equipment cannot be used without separate training—for example, neuroscience research equipment requires training. 

Contact us

  • Hilkka Lydén

    Hilkka Lydén

    Special Advisor

    hilkka.lyden@laurea.fi

    +358 50 536 1932

Publications and videos

Publications

Lydén, H., Rivera-Macias, B. & Leminen, A. (2025) Spanning the boundaries of language through LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®. In: Pääkkönen, T. & Miettinen, S. (eds) Boundary Spanning Design for Better Organisation: Integrating Design, Organisation and Artificial Intelligence. Cheltenham, UK and Northampton, MA, USA: Edward Elgar Publishing

Särkkä, H. & Rivera-Macias, B. (2025). Catching on to a new language through play. eSignals Pro. 

Särkkä, H. (2025). Learning a language in an authentic context enables agency in working life. eSignals Pro. 

Särkkä, H. (2025). Context, target audience and text genre. eSignals Pro. https://esignals.fi/pro/2025/02/03/konteksti-kohderyhma-ja-tekstilaji-kielenopetusta-funktionaalisista-lahtokohdista/

Särkkä, H. (2025). What the MAKU project taught useSignals. /

Särkkä, H. (2024). Genre pedagogy, the R2L method and learning a new languageeSignals. 

Nummila, P., Lydén, H. & Rivera-Macias, B.  (2024) Psychological safety in the workplace supporting integrationLaurea Journal

Einovaara, S., Kivistö, M, and Rivera-Macias, B. (2024) Compelling actions and coaching leadership – On the trail of a functioning, diverse, and multilingual work community. Laurea Journalhttps://journal.laurea.fi/compelling-actions-and-coaching-leadership-on-the-trail-of-a-functioning-diverse-and-multilingual-work-community/#ac15b4a5

Einovaara, S., Kivistö, M, and Rivera-Macias, B. (2024) Compelling actions and coaching leadership – On the trail of a functioning, diverse, and multilingual work community. Laurea Journal, Compelling actions and coaching leadership – On the trail of a functioning, diverse, and multilingual work community | Laurea Journal

Lydén, H., Einovaara, S., Mäkelä, M., and Rivera-Macias, B. (2024) Co-designing new understanding and language skills. Result: instructional videos in the everyday language of workLaurea Journal

Rivera-Macias, B., Lydén, H., Heikinmatti, S., and Leminen A. (2023) Facilitating flow in foreign language learning. Laurea Journalhttps://journal.laurea.fi/facilitating-flow-in-foreign-language-learning/#ac15b4a5

Leminen A., Rivera-Macias, B., Lydén, H., and Heikinmatti, S. (2023) Flow in foreign language learning. Laurea Journal

Särkkä, H. Puhakainen, E. & Toiviainen, M. (2023). More agile professional language learningeSignals Pro. 

Lydén, H., Suoheimo, M., Leminen, A.,and Miettinen, S.(2023) Immigrant Integration through Codesign – A Journey Map of integration into working life, in De Sainz Molestina, D., Galluzzo, L., Rizzo, F., Spallazzo, D. (eds.), IASDR 2023: Life-Changing Design, 9-13 October, Milan, Italy. 

Videos

Explore the video series “Learn Finnish for Working Life”, which teaches common phrases for various needs that often arise in the workplace.