Learning Swedish

Learning Swedish is one of the things that I haven’t quite mastered as usually everybody speaks English, but I’m working on it. There are several different classes or courses you can take in Linköping. Here are a few options:

LiU Swedish for foreign student

An easy option is applying for the Swedish course offered by the university. It is a 7.5 credits course which takes place during the semester. It is usually 3 hours of class per week and uses the Rivstart books. Due to the pandemic, there are online options as well as on Campus options, but this always depends on the teachers. The application is done via the university admission page. You can find more info on this here. Usually you will also get some information via email before the semester starts.

Exchange Student Intensive Course

As an Exchange student, including Erasmus student, you have the option of doing a one month long Swedish Intensive Course offered by the University. This takes place in the month of August which means you would have to be in Linköping early (which I would recommend in general, so you can enjoy the last days of summer). By the end of the course you will have an A1 language level according to the Common European Framework of Reference. If you are an exchange student, you will be informed about this via email and can apply to the course.

SFI – Swedish for Immigrants

If you are staying in Sweden for the entirety of your programme, Bachelor or Master, and you have gotten your personal number, you can apply for Swedish for Immigrants. These are classes offered by the city that are free of charge. You can choose between times during the day and different school locations or an online option. It’s at least 6 hours of class per week (2x3h). After you applied online someone will call you and ask some more specific questions to place you in the most fitting level. You can find more information here.

And finally, I recommend you have a look at basic phrases before coming to Sweden. You can do that with language apps or videos on YouTube which are especially helpful cause you can hear the proper pronunciation. This is an account I really enjoyed where you learn 5 new words each day.