Online Swedish Language Training Courses and Education Programs

Scholars, travelers or businesspeople interested in Scandinavia can study Swedish language and culture online at various cultural centers and university continuing education departments. Courses teach reading, writing and conversational skills and prepare students for work or travel in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries.

Online Swedish Language Courses

Online courses use a variety of media to teach students to write, read, speak and understand the Swedish language. Most distance learning Swedish courses also include discussions of Scandinavian history and culture to help students understand the language in its context and relate to its speakers. Fluency in Swedish can be useful for aspiring international businesspeople, scholars, translators and interpreters, or simply for anyone with an interest in traveling to Scandinavian countries.

Program Information and Requirements

Online Swedish courses are available from many universities and cultural centers. Classes are offered at a variety of levels, from beginning to advanced. Some emphasize a particular aspect of language use, such as conversation or reading, while others offer an overview of all language skills. Students usually have the option of enrolling in just one course or taking multiple ones in sequence, depending on their ambitions.
Swedish language courses generally include written, spoken, and visual aids. In some programs, all audiovisual materials are provided online; in others, students must purchase CDs, DVDs and other materials. Most courses also include an online discussion component where students can communicate with each other and the instructor through a course management system or Voice Over IP (VOIP) technology.

List of Common Courses

Online Swedish education programs include courses for students at various language levels. Some may have a particular cultural focus, and some may concentrate on specific skills.

Beginning Swedish Course

A beginning Swedish course, intended for students with no previous knowledge of the language, covers basic aspects of Swedish language grammar and vocabulary and introduces students to Swedish culture and society. After completing a beginning course, students should be able to read simple texts and carry on basic conversations.

Intermediate Swedish Course

Students are introduced to advanced grammar and vocabulary. They learn to read advanced texts and participate in complex conversations.

Scandinavian History and Culture Course

This class emphasizes the social context of the Swedish language. Topics covered may include Norse mythology, Viking migrations and contemporary Scandinavian businesses and economic influences.

Career Information for Students

Knowledge of Swedish may be useful for would-be scholars, translators, interpreters or linguists. Because Swedish is closely related to other Scandinavian languages such as Icelandic and Norwegian, those who speak it are prepared to communicate with a wide variety of people and cultures. Scandinavia is also an important business center, home to many large international corporations including IKEA and NOKIA, and knowledge of the Swedish language is, therefore, potentially helpful for businesspeople.