Learning Swedish in Sweden (updated 2009-12-17)

You have a right to study Swedish for immigrants in your home municipality free of charge if you

are 16 years old,
do not have basic knowledge of Swedish and
are a registered citizen of a Swedish municipality (having a "personnummer" with the four last digits).

It's a jungle out there - and it speaks Swedish.   Sure, just about every Swede will tell you they speak English (and they do, if not that and another language) but in reality you will find yourself at a dinner or a reception or even at a bar with other Swedes, and you will find that however much they might speak another language, it is Swedish they most often go back to when they either want to make a point or tell a joke.  

In order to find an interesting job, or just a more fulfilling life in Sweden, it is important to speak the native language.   But how does one go about learning Swedish, when all the websites that can help you find out how are in Swedish (and your spouse usually has no idea)? This guide's aim is to help you with phone numbers, websites and contacts.

 

Finding your level

Svenska för Invandrare/Swedish For Immigrants (or as it is regularly called SFI.)

Previously, SFI got a bad reputation for not matching different students' educational backgrounds with an appropriate study program. However, SFI has definitely redefined itself and is now a better, faster, stronger – a regular Superman of language classes. SFI's teachers are trained to teach students at a complete beginner's level and they know the methods to do this right.  Not only will they teach you basic Swedish, they will also give you an introduction to, and an overview of, Swedish society. If you're a beginner, having an SFI "degree" gives you entrée to the next level in classes.

There are three different study paths to follow at SFI. These are called A and B, B and C and (naturally) C and D.   All of these assume the student does not speak a word of the language to start, and they all reach the same point in the end. The difference of course is the time it takes to get there. When you register for classes you will have a little test to see which path they think will suit best. It will consist of a little talking and a little writing and reading (perhaps it will show that you can go on to a higher class?! Or maybe not, in which case you're already sitting in the right place to be.)

The C and D path is geared for those students who in essence have long-practiced  study habits and who are on very intimate terms with the Latin alphabet. The C and D path goes the fastest as well; counting 3 or 4 hours of study a day,   5 days a week, you can be done in 5 or so months.  

OK it sounds long! But Swedes have had about a thousand years to work at the language and as the comedian Steve Martin said (about the French) "They have a different word for everything." It's a good idea to get started learning those words.

Their website

The address for this course as well as all other courses that one can take in any subject is www.stockholm.se/sfi for those who live in the municipality of Stockholm. For those who are registered in another municipality, look for "Vuxenutbildning" or "Komvux" and after that for "Sfi" or "Swedish for immigrants" on the homepage of your municipality.

Contacting SFI
 
Go to the SFI in person, (Hornsgatan 124, third floor, in Stockholm) This is the first step to registering.

If you are folkbokförd in other areas such as Nacka, Täby, Solna, Sollentuna or Huddinge you are not considered to live in Stockholm. 

Remember to bring your ' personbevis' and some sort of identification (your passport, for example) when you go to the office.

Visiting hours to SFI in Stockholm: Monday - Tuesday and Thursday:   12.00 - 16.00 and Wednesday: 12.00 - 18.30

Phone: (08) 508 33 200 Monday - Thursday 09.00 - 11.00

Fax 08-508 33 460

Again, registering must be done in person.

You will be graded at the end of your SFI course: the options are VG ( väl godkänd) G ( godkänd) or they will write a short note outlining your strengths and where further study might be required.  

If you've already done some homework…

If you have already done some studying and are unsure if a start-from-scratch beginners level is what you need, SFI also coordinates placement tests.

The test is about two hours long and can include reading and answering questions about the reading, writing an essay as well as listening to taped conversations and answering questions about what you hear.  

You will receive the results of your test in the mail with their evaluation of what class is best for you. The choices are SAS ( Svenska som Andra Språk – Swedish as a second language) A :1 or 2, or SAS B:1 or 2.  SAS B:2 is the highest level in the Swedish as a Second Language series.

Get in touch with SFI to register for the placement test.

 

Test yourself at home

Skolverket (The school authority) puts out old SFI national tests on the internet that consist of both downloadable sound files and the accompanying text. A high-speed internet connection is recommended, but not necessary (they are extensive files.) Print out the test first (PDF format) before listening to the recording (like a real test.)

Go to www.skolverket.se, click on nationellt provsystem, click on SFI - Svenska för invandrare and on Bedömningsmaterial.

(Good luck!)

Finding a SAS course

This is where it can get confusing. Adult education, or Vuxenutbildning as it is called in Swedish, is a huge enterprise with thousands of courses to choose from taken in privately-run schools across Sweden. (The education is free even though the classes can be run by a private enterprise.)

An important note here: municipal adult education ( vuxenutbildning) is only free until you are 49 years old. If you are more mature, take a look near the end of this paper for information on Folkuniversitetet.

Within vuxengymnasium one can take classes at the secondary school level in everything from computer programming to scene design and everything in between – in Swedish.

The vuxenutbildning center

The vuxenutbildning center in Stockholm can be found at Hornsgatan 124, third floor. Currently, the vuxenutbildning center is open:

Mondays, Tuesday, Thursday  12.00 - 16.00 and Wednesdays 12.00 - 18.30
or you can call them at 08 - 508 33 200 Monday to Thursday 09.00 - 11.00.

Fax: 08 - 508 33 217
Telefon: 08 - 508 33 200

Their mail address is:
Vuxenutbildning Stockholm
Utbildningsförvaltningen
Box 22049
104 22 STOCKHOLM

E-mail: vux@utbildning.stockholm.se

If you have taken SFI and received a "VG" (great!) you should be tested at the vuxenutbildning center for placement in the other Swedish as a Second Language classes (SAS A:1 or 2 or SAS B:1 or 2.)  

If you receive a passing grade ("G" for " godkänd") then you will be placed in Swedish as a second language "ground level" ( svenska som andra språk: grundläggande.)


The Swedish grading scale
MVH mycket väl godkänd Excellent
VG

väl godkänd

Very Good
G

godkänd Pass
IG

icke godkänd

Did not pass

 

You can also take a regular language placement test at the vuxenutbildning center. The staff there can also help you put together a study program or just get you into a single course. Or, you can do it yourself over the web.   (You'll need your personal identity number to register.)  

For learning Swedish purposes you can take a look at what is offered by again going to the website www.stockholm.se/vux if you live in Stockholm.

Click on the orange square with the text "Webbkatalogen".

Click on"Starta här". Go to the bottom of the page and click on "Gå till söksidan för kurs/kurspaket".

 If you live in another Swedish municipality, go to the website of your municipality and look for "Vuxenutbildning".

Other resources

There are other places to look for Swedish courses outside of the state/municipal system.

- Folkuniversitetet   www.folkuniversitetet.se

Folkuniversitet (as well The Council of Europe) uses gauges of language levels that are very similar (in the A and B levels) to those used in municipality courses.   They also offer many more advanced levels, classes on Saturdays as well as evening classes. The main point with Folkuniversitetet is that it costs money, from about 1500 to 4300 SEK per course. But there is very wide variety of courses available, and their website is in English.

SAK

Naturally! Classes are available depending on the interest.   We need a commitment on the students' part to get to work organizing this. But if there is a small committed group of eager Swedish students, then we will work to put together a course.

Let us know too if you are planning on taking an SFI or vuxenutbildning course – there might be more than just you who are interested. Company is always nice.

Getting in touch with SAK

The email address for SAK's president Dan Schneider is dan-louis@foretagsjuristerna.se.
SAK is also reachable at UD – SAK  103 39 STOCKHOLM (which will get to our office on Malmtorgsgatan 3.)

Don't forget to look at the website - www.sakspouses.org.