Learning Swedish

Once you have been granted a residence permit it is important that you learn Swedish as quickly as possible. This is important in order for you to be able to become established quickly in the community.

Your municipality has to offer you lessons in Swedish for Immigrants. This is known as SFI. You are entitled to attend an SFI course if:

• You have turned 16 years of age.
• You lack basic knowledge of the Swedish language.
• Are registered or will become registered in a municipality.

Lessons are free of charge. You can study full time, part time, or combine lessons with an internship, working life introduction, validation or other programme at Komvux. The course proceeds in steps, and once you have completed one you can go on to the next. You can begin taking SFI lessons at any time during the year. You have to follow an individual study plan.

Contact your municipality for more information about SFI. If you are registered with Arbetsförmedlingen and taking part in the introduction programme, you can contact your case worker at Arbetsförmedlingen.

There are folk high schools that offer SFI courses. If you would like to study SFI at a folk high school instead of through your municipality, ask your municipality what the possibilities are. If you are registered with Arbetsförmedlingen and taking part in the introduction programme, you can contact your case worker at Arbetsförmedlingen instead.

At a folk high school you can also take courses at the basic level and the upper secondary level. Some folk high schools offer introduction courses for new arrivals in Swedish, civic orientation, and work preparation, for example.

Study associations are found all over Sweden and are the country's largest meeting place for education and culture. People of all ages turn to them to learn and develop along with others. All study associations carry out various activities that you can participate in, such as language practise, study circles, courses and cultural activities. There are ten study associations, each with its own proflle and philosophy. If you would like to know more about individual study associations, you can explore further on their websites, where you will also find activities in your town that you can participate in.

Professional Swedish is a Swedish course for people who know what they want to work with, but need to learn Swedish for that specific type of work.

Courses in Professional Swedish are offered at three different levels. You and your case worker at Arbetsförmedlingen will work out together which level suits you best. This will depend on your previous knowledge of Swedish and if you are going to do an internship, a labour market training programme, or if you have got a job.

Once you have finished your SFI studies you can continue studying Swedish as a Second Language. Ask the study and work guidance counsellor at Komvux to help you with your application. She or he can also help you plan your studies. If you are registered with Arbetsförmedlingen and taking part in the introduction programme, you can contact your case worker at Arbetsförmedlingen for more information.

Here at Informationsverige.se you can learn Swedish at your own pace. Here you can find lots of different learning aids and tools where you can practise Swedish either on your own or with others.