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The ultimate guide to learning Swedish

Many of us assume that Swedish for immigrants (SFI), the free government-provided language course for newcomers to Sweden, is just a single programme, a one-size-fits-all attempt to shoehorn everyone into the same system. But in fact the reality is quite the opposite.

Published: 25 March 2022 09:18 CET
Updated: 21 April 2022 09:09 CEST
The ultimate guide to learning Swedish

Because what is less well-known about SFI is the sheer scope and breadth of the language courses that it offers.

From profession-specific courses, to courses for job seekers, through to courses aimed at traumatised refugees and those with impaired hearing, the City of Stockholm, via Vuxenutbildning (adult education), offers Swedish language courses for most newcomers to Stockholm.
 
Those of us who have not found SFI to our liking may simply have been on the wrong course. SFI also offers free counselling (‘studie- och yrkesvägledning’) with qualified study counsellors. If you are unsure which precise SFI is for you, you can contact SFI for an assessment on your level of Swedish proficiency. 
Rana Noel, Director of Adult Education in the City of Stockholm, arrived in Sweden 22 years ago. She tells us: “When I first arrived in Sweden I studied SFI and other courses in adult education, and then went on to studying at university. I know from personal experience that making sure you are on the right SFI course can make all the difference. As a foreign university graduate I understand how one’s career path in a new country might be challenging at times. That’s actually why I became a SYV (study and career counselor) because I wanted to help people arriving in Stockholm, and give them the power to make conscious choices for professions and studies that really shape their future,” she says.

“Once you find the right course for you, my tip is to take the studies seriously and combine it with listening to radio, audio books and watching TV and find workplaces that speak as much Swedish as possible. That way, you will be able to develop your language quickly. I used to read children’s books in Swedish in addition to my SFI studies, which I found really helpful. And as always when it comes to language learning, have patience with the process – it will all be worth it.”

To make sure you find the right course for you, here is our guide to all the SFI courses available to those new to Stockholm. And even if you’re not a newcomer, but someone who’s struggled with learning Swedish in the past, please check here – you might not yet have found the most appropriate course for you.

Swedish for immigrants – SFI

This is the basic Swedish language course most of us have tried. It’s aimed at the development of a functional second language, and to give you the tools to actively participate in daily Swedish life, society and work. All immigrants from age 16 without basic skills in the Swedish language, who are registered in the municipality, are entitled to participate in SFI. There are three study paths: path 1, for those with no, or limited, education from their country, path 2, for those who have completed a basic education, and path 3 for those who have completed the equivalent of an upper secondary education. When you successfully finish each level you receive a certificate.
Perfect for: Anyone who needs basic Swedish.

Learn more about all the Swedish language courses offered by Vuxenutbildning Stockholm

Intensive Swedish – distance/classroom learning

This new, intensive course offered by the City of Stockholm, primarily aimed at graduates, has been designed to help you quickly attain Swedish proficiency in reading, writing, speaking and listening. This course, which is available both remotely and in a classroom, uses films, exercises and a lot of interaction and communication, is designed to help highly-educated professionals push themselves – with plenty of help from their teachers and classmates. Students come from around the world, including across Europe, the Middle East, North America, and South America. To apply, you need to be used to studying at a high pace.
Perfect for: Those who need to learn Swedish fast!

Yes, there is even an SFI class for new parents

Swedish for trained professionals – SFX

If you have a vocational qualification from your native country, there may be an SFI course specialising in your profession, to enable you to quickly find work in Sweden within your chosen profession. Professions covered include programmers, bakers, medical staff, bus drivers, teachers, lawyers, truckers and architects. The intensive Swedish courses, complete with work-focused professional vocabulary, are outperforming more general courses, with the overall level of employment or continued study around 25 percent higher for those studying SFX than those who completed SFI. Available in Stockholm municipality.
Perfect for: Professionals who need to get up to speed in Swedish really quickly to land a job.

Combination educations – SFI and SVA combo

With this course, you learn Swedish at the same time as you study for a vocational education (SVA) at upper secondary school level. You also get practical experience on the job and have good chances of finding employment once you’ve qualified. A combination education is full-time – you study 30 hours a week at school and you also need to spend time on schoolwork at home every week. Careers covered include care and teaching assistants, chefs and construction workers.
Perfect for: Newcomers without Swedish or a trade or established career.

There are many SFI courses available to non-Swedish speakers. Find the one best suited to you here

SFI for parental leave

Mothers and fathers on parental leave can study SFI together with other parents. SFI for parental leave (SFF) is open to those on SFI study paths 1 and 2. At SFF, you study Swedish in a small group together with a teacher and other parents on leave. Topics included on this course include, general parenting issues, health and children’s development, Swedish preschools etc.
Perfect for: Newcomer mums and dads!

Adapted learning SFI

There are different types of Swedish tuition for those who need special support. If, for example, you have a neuropsychiatric disability such as ADHD, Tourette’s syndrome, some form of mental illness or dyslexia, you can receive adapted teaching based on your needs. You can also receive adapted teaching based on your needs, if you have learning loss, visual impairment, impaired mobility or suffer from PTSD or migration-related stress or trauma. Please note that you do not need a diagnosis to be entitled to support. 
Perfect for: Newcomers who need adapted learning to help overcome physical or neuropsychiatric issues.

There you have it. Proof that there is indeed a Swedish language course for pretty much every newcomer to Stockholm, no matter what your background and no matter what your circumstances. 

Finding the right course can really make all the difference as to whether or not you complete the course, and it can also be a great way to network and make new friends.

Learning Swedish can be a real door into Swedish society, and The City of Stockholm wants to open that door for you.

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READER INSIGHTS

Reader’s story: How I slowly fell in love with the Swedish language

What makes a person want to learn Swedish? The Local's reader Sunny Das tries to answer a question that's bigger than quantifiable goals.

Published: 21 March 2024 14:31 CET
Updated: 11 April 2024 09:59 CEST
Reader's story: How I slowly fell in love with the Swedish language

It was a dark and cold October day as I found myself standing outside Arlanda Airport.

It had been a long journey from Singapore to Stockholm in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. The first thing I noticed was that most of the pandemic restrictions that applied to people in the rest of the world were not as strict in Sweden. I looked like a real stranger with my face mask on.

But, somewhere in my heart something stirred, and my soul felt a little joy after seeing some form of normality. The taxi driver said something that sounded like “hey” in English, and so I responded in English. Then we started driving towards the centre of Stockholm.

Within 45 minutes, I was in Gamla Stan, and it was already evening. I was tired, but I won’t forget what I felt when I saw the beauty of the city. When the lights sparkled on the water, it was like poetry composing itself.

In the hotel lobby, I heard Swedish being spoken among people, and it was like music to my ears. It had been a long time since I learned a new language, but there was something melodic in the Swedish language that truly captivated me from the beginning.

This article was written by The Local’s reader Sunny Das. Photo: Private

Because there is freedom in Swedish society, it is easy to fall in love with something.

None of the Swedes I met said that I had to learn Swedish to survive in Sweden. As a result, I explored the language in my own way, and slowly fell in love with it.

Of course, attitudes towards language requirements have changed nowadays, but I’m grateful that it wasn’t like that when I started learning Swedish. It could have been very demotivating for me if someone had tried to force the language on me.

Instead, I had the opportunity to enjoy Swedish music, books and the culture in general. There was a song that inspired me to develop my Swedish and delve deeper into my language journey. The song was called Vem tänder stjärnorna by Eva Dahlgren (“Who lights the stars?”). What a beautiful song, just amazing. Evighet (eternity) is my favourite word in Swedish, which I learned from that song.

What is my goal with the Swedish language? A really good question.

But is there a goal in just watching the sunset with your dog on the beach? Or to dim the lights at three in the morning, closing your eyes and listening to “The Midnight” or “The Paper Kites”? Is there a goal when you share “Dad jokes” with your friends on a taco Friday night?

Many people learn French, Japanese or Italian to experience the culture and follow their hearts. I can say that there is no quantifiable goal but to enjoy the language journey, and sometime in the future, I can articulate my thoughts properly in a proper way in the Swedish language.

Yes, indeed, I’m still learning Swedish. There are certain situations when I can’t understand anything or find the right words from my limited vocabulary to explain something. But I’m trying, like many of us who are learning Swedish and love the language.

My grammar is wrong in various ways, and my pronunciation is flawed, and there have been several occasions when Swedish speakers have switched to English, perhaps out of sympathy or sometimes with a bit of a rude attitude.

I can only ask everyone who speaks Swedish not to discourage us but rather to help us learn this beautiful language instead.

Indian by origin, Sunny Das moved to Sweden in October 2020 and works as a software developer. The article was originally published in Swedish and translated to English by The Local. Would you like to share your Swedish story with The Local? Email our editorial team at [email protected] and we’ll get back to you if it’s something we’re able to publish.

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