While it’s perfectly possible to get by with English in Sweden, learning Swedish can significantly improve your life. I mean, knowing the language makes it easier to manage daily tasks and connect more deeply with the Swedes as a foreigner who just moved to the country. So… if you want to know about the best ways to learn Swedish keep reading!

Do you Need to Speak Swedish?

Thanks to the widespread proficiency in English among Swedes I’d say that living in Sweden doesn’t require fluency in Swedish——although I still say that it’s a smart move to learn the language.

Why?

Well… not speaking Swedish can complicate several aspects of everyday life, such as:

• You might not always find help in English, particularly in public offices, making it tough to ask questions or resolve problems independently
• You won’t be able to respond to important letters or read official documents, which are often only available in Swedish.
• Social interactions can also be challenging as although many Swedes speak English, they usually revert to Swedish in social settings.
• Securing housing can be tough too as landlords and rental agencies often prefer tenants who speak Swedish, which simplifies communication and lease negotiations.

Benefits of Speaking Swedish

Speaking Swedish in Sweden is not just about expanding your vocabulary; it’s about enjoying other benefits, such as:

Independence in Daily Tasks

When you speak Swedish, you no longer need to rely on others to help you navigate everyday tasks like:

• Making phone calls
• Sending emails
• Dealing with customer service, etc..

as knowing the language allows you to handle these situations on your own.

Enhanced Social Integration

Learning Swedish opens up new ways for socialization too.

I mean, don’t forget you are in Sweden, Swedes will speak Swedish with each other!

So… be knowing Swedish, you’ll be able to bond with neighbors, make new friends, and engage in meaningful conversations without the barrier of language.

Better Understanding of Your Environment

Speaking the local language will help you grasp what’s happening around you.

From following local news to understanding jokes or reading a sign at a dog park, knowing Swedish enriches your daily life and helps you feel more connected to the Swedish day to day culture.

Academic and Professional Opportunities

Most bachelor’s degree programs at Swedish universities are taught in Swedish, opening up a range of educational opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible.

Additionally, being fluent in Swedish is often a prerequisite for many professional roles, particularly in fields that require deep interaction with Swedish-speaking people.

How Long Does it Take to Learn Swedish?

In Sweden, proficiency in Swedish is typically divided into three levels:

• Level 1: Beginner – This level covers basic vocabulary and simple grammatical structures. You’ll learn to introduce yourself, ask simple questions, and understand daily expressions. It’s designed for absolute beginners or those with minimal prior exposure to Swedish.
• Level 2: Intermediate – Building on what you learned in Level 1, this level introduces more complex sentence structures and expands your vocabulary. You’ll start to engage in more detailed conversations about a variety of topics including work, past experiences, and future plans.
• Level 3: Advanced – This final level aims to polish your Swedish. You’ll learn to speak and write with fluency and accuracy on a wide range of subjects. You’ll master the subtleties of the language, including idiomatic expressions and advanced grammatical nuances.

To pass each level, students must demonstrate proficiency through exams that test their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.

Now… how long does it take to pass each level?

Well… the duration to complete each level varies depending on the intensity of the course:

• Intensive courses: For someone studying Swedish intensively (e.g. 540-620 hours over 12-24 months), they could reasonably achieve conversational fluency at Swedish Level 3.
• Standard courses: If you’re balancing studies with work or other responsibilities, these courses might involve just a lesson or two per week. Under this setup, completing each level might take anywhere from 2-3 years.

Swedish Classes in Sweden

When it comes to learning Swedish in Sweden, there are plenty of options available (both public and private):

Government Programs

Swedish for Immigrants (SFI)

SFI offers a FREE and language training aimed at helping immigrants gain the necessary language skills for everyday communication and integration into Swedish society.

Classes are available in various formats including:

• full-time
• part-time
• and evening classes

Who can access?

The program is available to all immigrants who are registered residents in Sweden and lack basic Swedish language skills and it’s offered in multiple locations across Sweden.

Swedish as a Second Language (SAS)

This program is designed for those who have basic Swedish skills but need to improve further to enhance their chances in the job market or for further studies. And, of course, it’s totally FREE.

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The curriculum is focused on advanced language use.

Who can access?

Access is generally given to individuals who have completed SFI or have an equivalent level of Swedish and are residents of Sweden.

Occupational Swedish

Made to meet the specific needs of different professions, Occupational Swedish courses focus on the vocabulary necessary to be integrated in a Swedish work environment.

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Who can access?

Even though any Swedish resident can access, these courses are generally intended for individuals who are already employed or have a specific vocational training requirement.

Private Swedish Schools

Here are a few of the most famous private schools in Sweden that offer Swedish language courses:

• Swedish for Professionals: This school focuses on professionals who need to learn Swedish quickly and effectively, often offering personalized courses tailored to individual or corporate needs.
• Folkuniversitetet: Known for a wide range of language courses, Folkuniversitetet provides flexible learning options for adults at different proficiency levels.
• Medborgarskolan: This institution offers a variety of Swedish courses aimed at both beginners and advanced learners, focusing on practical language use in daily activities.

Online Swedish Classes

Aside from accessing private language courses, you can also pay for online Swedish classes:

Babbel offers a structured learning approach, with courses designed to build upon each other progressively. It focuses on practical vocabulary and real-life conversational skills, incorporating review sessions to reinforce what you’ve learned.

Cost? It ranges from €7 to €13 per month, depending on the subscription plan.

Duolingo uses a gamified approach to learning Swedish, making it fun and engaging. The app provides short, bite-sized lessons that cover a variety of topics from basic vocabulary to complex sentences. It’s ideal for beginners or as a supplementary tool for more advanced learners. The premium version, Duolingo Plus, offers additional features like offline lessons and progress tracking.

Cost? It’s free with optional ad-free version for €13 per month.

Italki connects students with language tutors from around the world for personalized 1-on-1 sessions. This platform is excellent for those looking to improve their conversational Swedish, as it allows for direct interaction with native speakers. Italki also offers flexibility in scheduling and the opportunity to choose tutors based on your specific learning goals and budget.

Cost? The prices vary by instructor but generally range from €10 to €30 per hour.

Memrise excels in making learning Swedish interactive and enjoyable, using videos of native speakers and real-life scenarios to teach the language. The free version offers a range of courses that help build a solid foundation, while the premium version provides additional features such as advanced grammar lessons, and the ability to learn offline.

Cost? It’s free with a premium version costing around €13 per month.

Pay Less for Swedish Classes

Learning Swedish in Sweden doesn’t have to be expensive (at least in my experience).

In fact, there are several ways that can significantly reduce or even remove the cost of Swedish classes, such as:

Government-Funded Swedish Classes

As you read before, the Swedish government offers free language courses to their non-Swedish residents through programs like:

• Swedish for Immigrants (SFI)
• Swedish as a Second Language (SAS)

Employer-Sponsored Swedish Lessons

Many employers in Sweden understand the importance of helping their international employees learn Swedish which is how it’s quite common to see them offering free Swedish classes at the workplace.

Also, many employers are willing to cover the cost of Swedish classes as part of their professional benefits program.

My advice?

If you’re employees by a big company and you want to learn Swedish you can ask your HR department what options are available. I mean, there’s nothing to lose there, right?

What Did I Do to Learn Swedish?

My experience with learning Swedish involved a mix of online tools, books, and real-life practice.

Here’s how I did it:

• Starting with online courses: I began with Duolingo and Memrise, two apps that are great for beginners. They helped me learn the basics of Swedish through simple, fun lessons that felt more like playing a game than studying.
• Reading bilingual books: After I got the hang of basic Swedish, I started reading books written in both Swedish and English. This helped me understand how the words I was learning fit into sentences and gave me a chance to learn new words in context.
• Immersing myself in Sweden: When I felt ready, I moved to Sweden and signed up for a program called Swedish for Immigrants, offered for free by the government. This program helped me practice speaking and writing Swedish every day.
• Constant practice: To make sure I kept improving, I changed the language on my phone to Swedish, read Swedish Reddit forums, and watched lots of Swedish YouTube videos. This constant exposure to the language made it easier for me to get used to how it sounds and how it’s used in everyday situations.