Course instructions (detailed version)
Read this if you wish to dig deeper into the course structure before you start. If you are an impatient learner, you can also skip it for now and come back later. đ
Course structure â Modules
Learning Swedish consists of three modules with texts, dialogues and self-correcting exercises of different kinds. Each module has several chapters, and each chapter starts with an introductory page on how to go through the quizzes and texts. You will also get some information about Sweden and what it is like to study here. All the three modules end with a language test.
In Module 1 all instructions to the exercises and texts are given in English, in Module 2 both in Swedish and English and in Module 3 only in Swedish. To help you, there are also separate sections on grammar and pronunciation, a base word-list and a phrase dictionary with related video clips. The video clips can also be found on Swedish Institute's channel on Vimeo Links to an external site. or on YouTube Links to an external site..
Learning Swedish offers you many opportunities to listen and repeat in order to learn the language. It is good to listen to the recordings again and again to get the words and pronunciation into your head. In the course you will meet Nathalie and her friends. Nathalie is an exchange student from France, studying at a Swedish university.
If you do not know any Swedish, we advise you to do the modules and quizzes in the order they are set up in.
The level of the course
This is a course for beginners. Through Learning Swedish you can reach language proficiency level A1/A2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Links to an external site.. This is primarily applicable in a teacher-led context where you usually have the possibility to speak and write more freely. The level you reach also depends on how much time you spend on your language studies.
See the learning goals for the different modules.
Quizzes
A quiz may consist of vocabulary or grammar exercises or just a text or dialogue to read or listen to.
How to take a quiz
- Start by following the instructions. Sometimes you have to do some reading before taking the quiz.
- When you have answered the questions, click 'Submit quiz' at the bottom of the page.
- Scroll down to see your result. Remember that you can always take the quiz again.
- Move on to the next quiz or text by clicking 'Next' at the bottom of the page.
What is Grades?
Every correctly completed quiz gives you some points which are then saved in the system. The quizzes in the course can be done over and over without limit. It is always the best result (the highest scores) for a particular quiz that is saved. Grades gives you a summary of the quizzes you have done and the points you have earned.
Module 1: 623 points
Language level test 1: 252 points
Module 2: 383 points
Language level test 2: 163 points
Module 3: 417 points
Language level test 3: 109 points
You can choose to receive notifications about your grades through email immediately, daily, weekly, or never. Go to Settings and then Notifications to set your preferences.
Settings â Language
In Settings you can choose the language you want the Canvas interface to be in. English is the default, but Canvas comes in many languages. The language you choose will then appear on all âfunction buttonsâ. Note that instructions to texts and exercises are in English (at first) and Swedish, no matter what language you have chosen in Settings.
What reference tools are there?
In Learning Swedish you have also several reference tools which you can easily come back to during the whole course those are Basics, Pronunciation, Grammar, Useful phrases and Word lists. The reference tools are available from the start page (Home) and also from the Help menu.
In the course, we often link to the reference tools. Sometimes, we advise you to first do some reading in the grammar before you do a particular exercise, and sometimes we may recommend you to learn words in Basics before you move on. The reference tools can however be used completely independently. For example, if you know that you need to do some more practice on pronunciation, you can go directly to Pronunciation where there is both information and pronunciation exercises.
Here is a closer description of the reference tools:
Basics
During the course, you will learn many new words in Swedish. In Basics, there are lists of common words you usually learn as a beginner, for example numbers, time expressions and colours. You also find out how the different letters of the alphabet are pronounced, so that you learn to spell in Swedish.
Useful phrases
In Useful phrases, you will find a collection of common phrases for various situations. You can come here if you want to practice or learn what to say, when, for example, you say goodbye to someone, ask the way, or when you havenât understood what someone has said.
Pronunciation
Here, you get advice on how adult learners can go about learning such âgood pronunciationâ as possible. You also get to know what characterises the pronunciation of the Swedish language. Pronunciation contains many possibilities for listening and repeating words and phrases. For example, there are many exercises where you listen for the stressed words, the syllables that are stressed, and the sounds that are long. You also get to learn important differences between spelling and pronunciation. The pronunciation part is available both in English and in Swedish.
Grammar
In Grammar, you will find an elementary grammar of Swedish. First, study the example sentences and the tables in the respective grammar sections there, and then, following the lead of the examples, try to formulate a rule! After that, you can read the rule to verify whether you have understood properly. This way of learning is more fun (itâs like solving a riddle) and you will remember better afterwards things that you have taught yourself. The grammar is available both in English and in Swedish.
Word lists
There is only a word list for Module 1 and the first chapters in Module 2. You'll find it in the introduction to each chapter as well as after each quiz. There is also a word list in alphabetical order. You can also learn new words and phrases in Basics and in Useful phrases. Remember that you can listen and repeat all the word in the word list for Module 1 on Quizlet Links to an external site..
Recommended word lists online:
For those of you who are studying at a university in Sweden:
How do I type the letters Ä, À, ö?
â To be able to type the letters Ă„, Ă€ and ö, you need a Swedish keyboard or input method. If you search online, you will find many tips for how to do this.
What is Inbox?
â Use Inbox to contact your teacher or other students on the course. Inbox is mostly used in teacher-led sessions.