Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to commonly asked questions about our courses and services.

FAQ

Is the course virtual?

Yes, the course is virtual, real-time online. But we also offer prerecorded video courses.

What is the price of the course?

You can find prices on each course page and on our Prices & Discounts page. Displayed course prices include VAT and are the final course prices.

How different are you from SFI?

We use English to conduct and explain the lessons.
We have a clear structure, starting date, and ending date.
We follow the CEFR approach in our methodology to deliver the courses.

What platform do you use?

Microsoft Teams and Meta.

How many students are in one group?

Class sizes vary, typically from around five to twenty students. Numbers can depend on returning students and university participation.

How many lessons are there in one course?

20 lessons.

How long is one course?

Five weeks.

How frequently are the lessons?

Four days a week, Monday to Thursday.

How long is one lesson?

2 hours per lesson.

What is the time of the slots of the courses?

We conduct lessons in Swedish time. To see a specific course, you need to check the schedule.

Where can I read about the Terms and Conditions of Service?

Here you can read more about the Terms and Conditions of Service provided by ONLINE SWEDISH.

Is prior knowledge required for the A1 course?

No, the A1 course is for beginners as well as for absolute beginners.

What is the TISUS exam?

Test in Swedish for university studies. See our C1 Swedish and TISUS preparation course for preparation options.

Do I need to take the TISUS exam to be able to work?

It depends on your profession, but usually not.

Will you be speaking in English or Swedish in the lesson?

Instructions are in English.

Do I need to buy books and other materials?

No, for the lessons, you do not need to purchase material. But if you want to acquire and want to have some books/e-books, you can buy them. But otherwise, for our lessons, you do not need them.

Do I need to do homework and study aside from those lessons in the class?

Homework is required when assigned, but the overall amount is small. Writing & Speaking is the only course with systematic homework. Other courses may include occasional tasks such as watching a webinar or reading an article. Reviewing lessons is also recommended when needed.

How is payment made?

We normally accept payment through PayPal. Invoices are normally issued in euros. If you pay using a different currency, conversion is handled by your payment provider. Bank transfer and Swish are not normally accepted.

What happens if I miss a lesson or arrive late?

You can catch up on missed lessons using the recordings. Recordings are normally shared within a few hours to 24 hours after the live lesson. You still need to complete the requirements for your course and any certificate you are working towards. Arriving late to a live lesson is allowed.

Can I get a Certificate after completing a course?

Yes. Certificates of Knowledge are available at A1 and A2 as well as higher levels, subject to the applicable requirements. You can qualify through recorded study combined with conversation sessions and the examination for the certificate level you request. A1 requires an A1 test and A2 an online A2 test. If you take the full A1–C1 programme, you only need the final C1 examination unless you also request an intermediate-level Certificate of Knowledge. This rule applies to both new and existing students.

For a Certificate of Knowledge, complete all the required courses and components for the target level. The conversation requirement is ten sessions per course taken with us, including Writing & Speaking. SFM is exempt. You do not owe conversation sessions for earlier levels studied elsewhere. Course completion alone does not establish the required proficiency.

See the Certificates page for the course combinations, assessment requirements and the distinction between knowledge and attendance documentation.

Already have a certificate? Use the certificate verification tool and enter the serial number printed on your document.

Can I use an ONLINE SWEDISH certificate in a Socialstyrelsen application?

Language-evidence requirements depend on your profession and application route. Check the requirements for your application with Socialstyrelsen and review our certificate requirements. Contact us to discuss the documentation for your study path. Completing a course does not itself guarantee acceptance or professional licensure.

What courses/levels do you offer in general?

A1, A2, B1, B2
Swedish for Professionals (SFP): B1 is required to join. This is part of our B1/B2 curriculum and covers general workplace topics, such as labour unions and the work environment, for learners from different professions.
TISUS -preparation (C1-level)
Swedish for Medical staff (C1 level)

Can I try a lesson before I decide?

Yes. A live or recorded sample lesson costs €5. You can request a recorded sample lesson or contact us about a live trial. A free trial is available only when an explicit offer says so.

Can I get a discount?

Yes, we have many types of discounts. You can find more info about discounts.

What is my Swedish level?

Here you can read more about Swedish SFI levels, YKI Swedish levels and how do they correspond to the CEFR level.

What is the CEFR level?

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages describes language ability from A1 to C2. For UK school qualifications, see our GCSE language grades and CEFR comparison.

I can not attend real-time lessons; can I study externally at my own pace?

Yes, you can study at your pace with video lessons for courses available in that format. Writing & Speaking requires at least 80% live attendance, and SFM has its own live-participation requirements. See the healthcare course pathway for the SFM requirements.

Are video courses suitable for teenagers?

Yes. The minimum age is 15 years. Teenagers can register themselves; a parent or guardian does not need to complete the registration on their behalf. Teenage learners receive our usual student support. We do not offer a separate parent-support service.

What if my course is too easy or too difficult?

If your course feels too easy, you can request a move to a higher-level course during the first week (the first four lessons). The move is free: there is no transfer fee and no price difference to pay. No teacher assessment is required before the move. Contact us within that first week to request the change; after the first week, this transfer option is no longer available.

If your course feels too difficult, speak with your teacher about support and mentorship during conversation sessions. You can also repeat the course free of charge under our study warranty.

Is one course the same as a complete Swedish level?

No. A CEFR level can consist of several courses. You can join at a higher level based on your existing knowledge, but you must complete the required course combination and other requirements for the certificate you want. See the Certificates page for the pathway to each level. Earlier study elsewhere does not create a requirement to attend conversation sessions for courses you do not take with us.

Is there a test after every lesson?

No. There is no test at the end of each lesson. Certificate assessments are separate from the regular lesson schedule. We provide available exam dates so that students can choose an offered option.

Are retakes free, and what does the study warranty cover?

Retakes of ONLINE SWEDISH examinations are free of charge. Under our study warranty, you can repeat courses free of charge and continue studying with us until you reach your learning goal, with no time limit on that study warranty. Contact us to arrange a course retake.

Read the certificate and examination policy for the requirements that apply to your goal.

Do Writing & Speaking and SFM require live attendance?

Writing & Speaking requires at least 80% live attendance. SFM requires at least 20 live sessions: the first ten focus on listening and following the lessons, and the next ten require active participation through reading and translating medical texts. These live-course requirements are separate from the conversation-session requirement; SFM remains exempt from the ten-Språkcafé-sessions-per-course rule. See the healthcare course page for SFM details.

Can external candidates book an examination only?

No. At present, ONLINE SWEDISH offers examinations only to its own students. External candidates cannot book an examination-only option. See the Certificates page for the requirements that apply to our students.

When should I start attending conversation sessions, and how do I find the schedule?

Start attending after completing A1; you do not need to wait until a higher level to practise. Sessions are normally held twice a week, although some weeks may have more sessions. We send the schedule each week with the specific days and times. SFM is exempt from the ten-session certificate requirement.

How many courses do I need to take to be fluent in Swedish?

The time and practice you need depend on your starting skills and goals. A course count alone does not establish fluency. Our Swedish learning plan and study-time guide explains how to plan and check progress.

How many levels are there?

The CEFR framework has six main levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. The framework applies across languages.

Is it possible to start learning instantly without waiting for the next course to start?

Yes, if you prefer to start immediately with learning and cannot wait for the live sessions to start, you can then learn by recorded video lessons.

Do you offer courses for Companies?

Yes, we do offer Swedish courses for companies.

Still have questions?

Can't find what you're looking for? Get in touch with our team.