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All
newly-arrived immigrants are entitled to free instruction
in Swedish as a second language – Swedish for Immigrants (Svenska
för Invandrare), or SFI for short. SFI also provides
an introduction to Swedish society and helps the immigrant
to plan for further studies and choose a career in Sweden.
The number of hours of instruction varies from person to person.
The goal is to ensure that all students attain the same level
of proficiency. The course usually takes about a year to complete,
but the pace is dictated by the participants -- some have
done it in three or six months. Completion of this course
and passing a national proficiency test are highly recommended
(and sometimes required) for anyone planning to enter the
Swedish job market.
A
word about SFI: Different municipalities organize courses
somewhat differently, therefore the quality from one community
differs greatly from another. There have been students who
rave about the course and learned a tremendous amount, and
others who suffered through horrible instruction. Find out
from your local community KomVux (adult education center)
what their track record is, who their teachers are and how
experienced they are.
Sweden
has several organizations which offer adult education. These
are called studieförbund and are listed in the
yellow pages (gulasidorna).
Some of these organizations are Folkuniversitet,
Medborgarskolan,
Studiefrämjandet,
offer
courses in several areas of interest, such as music, dance,
art, theater, languages (including fast-paced Swedish courses
which are not free), nature, computing and various crafts,
to name just a few. Taking evening courses is a popular pastime
for many Swedes.
Universities
and colleges are located in several different cities throughout
Sweden. Check
out SUNET
(Swedish University Computer Network) for a complete listing.
They have approximately the same entrance requirements as
American schools. At least one term must be spent studying
Swedish intensively, which is followed by an entrance exam
in Swedish for foreigners, before starting at the university.
Courses are free (apart from registration fees, and possible
student union fees), but you must register at least four months
before the term starts. For more detailed information on beginning
or continuing higher education studies in Sweden, visit the
web site for Högskoleverket.
For
more information concerning learning Swedish, the Swedish
educational system in general, adult education and Swedish
colleges and universities, check out the web site for the
Swedish
Institute (Svenska Institutet).
You
may want to get your feet wet on your own at home and
have a few words under your belt before you enter a classroom,
here are a few suggestions:
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