As an international student, communication can be sometimes challenging in Sweden. While most people speak English, you can run into situations when it would be extremely beneficial to have Swedish knowledge and people will definitely appreciate it if you talk to them in their native language.
Whether you’re looking for a job in Sweden, chatting with locals or just want to understand the juicy conversations of your Swedish friends, you need to find ways to improve your Swedish. Here are some tips on how to be able to have a longer conversation than ‘Kvitto?’ ‘Nej, tack!’
Swedish course at JU
The university offers a course for international students that teaches the basics. The Swedish Language, Culture and Society 1 course starts every semester and students can sign up beforehand. It is structured to give knowledge about the culture in forms of lectures and two seminars are held each week, where the focus is on the language. During the seminars students are divided into small groups and they get to practice speaking, listening and writing skills. Since it is a chosen subject the exam is not mandatory, but if you need the credits or want to put your newfound knowledge to a test you can take it.
Language Café JSU
Looking for a more casual and social way to practice your Swedish? Check out the Language Café, organized by students, where you can meet like-minded people and practice languages, including Swedish. Each week focuses on a different topic, such as hobbies, shopping, or seasonal themes like Christmas. Since the sessions are led by fellow students in a relaxed environment, it’s a low-pressure way to build your confidence while learning useful phrases and cultural insights. You will get to practice Swedish in small groups and connect with others, making it a fun and easy-going experience. Don’t miss out – join the Language Café in Rio every Tuesday from 16:00 to 18:00!
SFI (Swedish for Immigrants)
The Jönköping Kommun also offers a Swedish course for immigrants. This is a great opportunity to learn the language for free. Participants get to practise grammar, vocabulary, listening, speaking and learn about Swedish society as well. You can choose to take the classes during the day or in the evening, depending on your schedule. They start courses almost every month, but you need to apply in advance in order to participate. For more information visit the website of Jönköping Kommun.
Duolingo and other language apps
Mastering a language by only using an online app is quite challenging (if not impossible), but for the basics, it can be quite helpful. These apps help you learn the most common phrases and some ridiculous ones that you would never use in real life. “Min häst äter min halsduk.” Since consistency is key when studying a new language, Duolingo is perfect. That owl will bully you until you finally complete your daily practise and to be honest that’s what you need: a lot of practise.
Podcast, music and books
There are also enjoyable ways to learn Swedish without even realizing you’re studying. Listening to Swedish music or a podcast can help you develop your skills. Many podcasts have subtitles, which makes it easier to understand or you can search for beginner friendly options. When listening to music it’s easy to remember the lyrics and you can learn useful phrases for a conversation with your friends. A book in Swedish might sound like a big step at first, but you can start with children books, comics or books that were designed for beginners. Through this experience you can learn vocabulary used in everyday life or specific situations depending on the book you chose. You can look for books in the university library or download one online. There are many course books available online that are designed to teach yourself.
Talk to your friends and locals
To put your knowledge to a test you can listen to conversations in the city or on the bus and you will understand more and more words. Try to concentrate on those that you know and figure out the context. You can ask your friends for help and I am sure they will teach you useful phrases that you wouldn’t learn in a textbook. They can help with Swedish slang and correct your pronunciation. The ultimate test is when you are the one who needs to talk in Swedish. Don’t be scared, it doesn’t need to be perfect, just try to formulate a couple sentences. As your confidence grows you can try to order in a restaurant, ask for information in a store or even talk to a local.
Learning Swedish while studying in Jönköping can open doors to deeper connections with locals, better job opportunities, and a richer cultural experience. Whether you take the JU course, join the SFI program, use apps and music, or engage in everyday conversations, each step brings you closer to fluency. With patience, consistency, and practice, you’ll soon be able to say much more than just ‘Hej, hej!’.
Writer: Viktória Papp
