Are you thinking about learning a new language? Perhaps you’ve been drawn to the melodic sounds of Scandinavia or dreamt of navigating the minimalist furniture paradise of IKEA with native fluency. Like many, New Year’s resolutions often fade, but this year, I embarked on a “January resolution” with a linguistic twist: to teach myself Swedish using only free online resources. While others tackled Veganuary or Dry January, I dove headfirst into the world of fika, lagom, and intriguing Swedish grammar.
Why Choose Learning Swedish? More Than Just Meatballs and ABBA
As a linguist at Sandberg, translating from French, Spanish, and German, languages were already a part of my professional life. While I had previously flirted with Icelandic, Sanskrit, and other tongues using language learning apps and dusted-off books, Swedish had always remained unexplored territory. Until now.
My reasons for choosing to learn Swedish were multifaceted. Firstly, the sheer volume of freely available resources for Learning Swedish online was a major draw. From interactive apps to comprehensive grammar websites and engaging YouTube channels dedicated to pronunciation, the digital landscape seemed ripe for Swedish language acquisition. Secondly, being surrounded by Swedish-speaking colleagues at Sandberg provided an invaluable support system. Knowing I could tap into their expertise for guidance and clarification was incredibly reassuring. Finally, and perhaps most whimsically, a desire to truly understand the lyrical genius of ABBA in their original language played a significant role.
This article will detail the free resources I utilized during my month-long Swedish language adventure, highlighting both the triumphs and tribulations encountered. If you’re contemplating learning Swedish from scratch, or any new language for that matter, know that it requires dedication. However, with the right approach and resources, getting started is more than achievable, and hopefully, my experience will serve as your initial push – because taking that first step is often the most challenging hurdle in language learning.
Setting the Stage for Success: Ground Rules for My Swedish Learning Experiment
Before embarking on this linguistic challenge, I established a few key rules to structure my learning and ensure realistic progress.
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Dedicated Daily Practice: I committed to a consistent 45-minute daily practice session. This timeframe mirrored my pre-COVID commute and was chosen for sustainability. Short, daily bursts of learning are far more effective than infrequent, lengthy study sessions. Consistent daily practice allows your brain to absorb and process new information gradually, preventing overwhelm and promoting better retention.
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Exclusively Free Resources: To prove that learning Swedish can be accessible to anyone, regardless of budget, I resolved to use only free resources. No Swedish textbooks would be purchased, and no premium app subscriptions would be activated. This constraint aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of starting a language learning journey without any financial investment.
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Tangible Goal: CEFR A1 Level: To measure my progress and maintain motivation, I set a clear objective: to reach Level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) by the end of the month. Having a tangible goal provides direction and a sense of accomplishment, crucial for sustained language learning motivation.
Week 1: Diving into Swedish – Apps and Grammar Fundamentals
My initial days were exploratory, experimenting with familiar language learning apps: Duolingo and Drops. These gamified apps are excellent for vocabulary acquisition and revision, offering a low-pressure entry point into a new language. However, they tend to prioritize vocabulary over explicit grammar explanations.
Recognizing that achieving A1 level required more than just vocabulary, I sought out a resource that provided both grammar instruction and practical vocabulary. This led me to Say it in Swedish. If you’re beginning your language learning journey, exploring different resources to find what resonates with your learning style is key.
“Say it in Swedish” became my primary learning tool throughout the month. The website presented grammatical concepts and essential vocabulary in a concise and accessible manner, covering fundamental topics like family, colors, directions, and body parts – all crucial building blocks for a beginner in Swedish.
To deepen my understanding of specific topics, I supplemented “Say it in Swedish” with online searches and, crucially, by posing questions to my knowledgeable colleagues. Their insights proved invaluable, setting the stage for week two and a deeper dive into Swedish grammar.
Week 2: Grammar Hurdles and the Help of Native Speakers
Week two was dedicated to unraveling the intricacies of Swedish tenses and grammatical structures. Venturing into the realm of Swedish grammar, I encountered a concept unfamiliar from my previous language learning experiences – the supine form.
Online resources, while informative, often lacked clarity regarding the practical application and purpose of the supine form. Fortunately, being part of a Nordic translation company provided a significant advantage: access to native Swedish speakers and fluent Swedish linguists.
Reaching out to colleagues for clarification proved to be a game-changer. Within minutes, a previously confusing grammatical concept became demystified. This experience underscored the immense value of having access to native speakers when navigating challenging aspects of language learning. Online communities, social media groups, and YouTube channels can also serve as valuable resources for connecting with native speakers.
By week’s end, my Swedish vocabulary had expanded, and my ability to construct basic grammatically correct sentences improved, albeit still simple phrases like “jag har en svart katt och hon heter Tulip” (I have a black cat and she is called Tulip) and “det är ett stort hus” (it is a big house). Small steps forward, but progress nonetheless.
Week 3: Motivation Dips and Discovering Lätt Svenska (Easy Swedish) News
Week three marked a point where the initial enthusiasm began to wane. Learning a language, especially self-taught, using only free resources, is a demanding undertaking. Motivation dipped, and the temptation to abandon the project loomed. The commitment to writing this article became the primary motivator, the thought of admitting defeat before even learning to ask for directions being too embarrassing to contemplate.
To reignite my interest, I incorporated lätt Svenska (“easy Swedish”) news articles into my learning routine. This proved to be a turning point, injecting fresh topical content and demonstrating the practical application of grammatical concepts in real-world contexts. Reading news in simplified Swedish made the learning process more enjoyable and relevant.
Furthermore, engaging with news articles fostered intuitive learning. Contextual clues and surrounding vocabulary allowed for educated guesses at the meaning of unfamiliar words. Varying learning resources and methods became a key strategy, not only combating dwindling motivation but also training my brain to process diverse linguistic inputs, mirroring natural language acquisition.
Week 4: Solidifying Routines and Celebrating Progress
By the final week, a sustainable Swedish learning routine had solidified. Post-work, after a tea break, it was Swedish time. My learning approach was a blend of the previously mentioned methods, supplemented by creating revision posters and experimenting with more effective vocabulary memorization techniques.
My preferred vocabulary learning method turned out to be surprisingly low-tech: repetitive writing. For me, the tactile act of writing words by hand proved more effective than flashy apps or games. Sometimes, the simplest methods are the most effective.
January 31st arrived, marking the culmination of my month-long Swedish challenge and time for assessment. I located two online Swedish proficiency tests (links provided below).
The first test focused on grammar and vocabulary, lacking a listening comprehension component. I interpreted its results as indicative of my written Swedish comprehension and grammatical skills. This test yielded a score of 26 out of 40, suggesting an A2 level in written comprehension and grammar – exceeding my initial A1 goal!
The second test offered a more comprehensive evaluation, encompassing vocabulary, grammar, reading, listening, and self-assessment of writing and speaking. This test also averaged at A2 level, with listening skills assessed at A1.
Overall, I felt a strong sense of accomplishment. While the long-term continuation of my Swedish studies remains undecided, the experiment yielded valuable lessons, primarily the paramount importance of consistency. Just 45 minutes of daily practice resulted in reaching A1/A2 level comprehension within a month. A habit formed, and a sense of linguistic achievement gained.
For anyone considering learning Swedish, or any new language, my resounding recommendation is to embrace daily, bite-sized learning and to actively explore diverse resources and techniques to discover what works best for you. You don’t need expensive textbooks or premium apps; a world of free alternatives awaits discovery.
? Eloise’s Toolkit for Learning Swedish: Free Resources That Worked
Apps
- Duolingo: (https://www.duolingo.com/) Great for gamified vocabulary and basic grammar. Free version offers substantial content.
- Drops: (https://languagedrops.com/) Visually engaging vocabulary builder. Free version has daily time limits.
(Note: Both apps are available for various languages beyond Swedish, with both free and paid feature options.)
Websites
- Say it in Swedish: (https://www.sayitinswedish.com/) Comprehensive grammar explanations and vocabulary lessons for beginners.
- SwedishPod101 (Free Trial): (https://www.swedishpod101.com/) Offers audio and video lessons, though full access requires subscription, free trial provides introductory content.
Listening practice/news
- Sveriges Radio P4 Stockholm – Lätt svenska (Easy Swedish News): (https://sverigesradio.se/lattsvenska) News broadcasts in simplified Swedish, excellent for listening comprehension practice.
CEFR tests
- Swedish Institute Free Online Test: (No direct link provided in original, similar tests can be found by searching “free online Swedish CEFR test”) Offers a grammar and vocabulary assessment.
- EF SET English Certificate: (https://www.efset.org/free-english-test/) While named “English Test,” EF SET offers language tests in multiple languages, including Swedish. Provides a more comprehensive assessment across skills.
Inspiration, Swedish language
