(edit title) Any Irish living in Sweden? Advice needed Language etc Options

[Kegzmc]

Hi there,

First week in Sweden. Moved from Ireland. Would like someone to share their experience of learning the language etc.

Thanks,

Kegs

[StephenR]

Hej!

I've found that it's not too difficult - there are quite a lot of similarities with English - though there are aspects of the language that I find can be a bit frustrating, particularly when speaking Swedish. Obviously experiences learning languages can be different depending on ability, passion etc and how you learn. I started with SFI and really enjoyed it and my Swedish has progressed relatively decently with minimal effort though others here have had terrible experiences.

[staycold]

I've been here a couple of months now and have to admitt I have been very lazy on trying to learn the language and have only just given myself a kick up the backside to get it started. Whilst waiting for your free lessons (it takes a while) there are a few little tricks you can do.

My partner has stuck post it notes over the apartment on key objects, like can you shut the door please, it sounds a little lame I know but it got me in to the habit of learning certain words for asking people things, can you please..., pass me the...

I also got told by a few other people to read childrens books, it gives you a good sense of how sentances are formed.

Lastly dont be lazy or shy like me!! Swede's speak such good english that you dont NEED to be able to speak swedish so everytime I went to a bar or shop I would speak english, not needing to know a language to get by hinders your progress sometimes, especially if you are a bit shy or not good at learning a new language.

Where abouts in Ireland are you from? I was living in Dublin before I came out here but I'm English if your up for a pint sometime give me a shout.

Best of luck to you mate

[HannahSwain]

I also got told by a few other people to read childrens books, it gives you a good sense of how sentances are formed.

Not Irish, but I'm up against the same issues. I can second the reading childrens' books - also try the lättläst stuff. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that all I needed to get a library card was a person number, which means tons of Swedish books at my finger tips.

Harry Potter and I didn't work out too well, though - the Swedish translation was written in a very English tone, which didn't help while trying to learn Swedish.

[Gordy]

Hej Kegs conas atá tú?

I'm here a little over 2 years now, I have a pretty good understanding of the language but I'm still not good enough at speaking it to have a decent conversation.

That's mostly my own fault as I work on my own and don't get to interact with anyone during the day so never get any practice,

I was waiting about 8 months to get on an SFI evening course which was only one 2 hour class a week. I think I had about 30 classes in total before passing SFI D but that still only gets you to a pretty low level of proficiency. The next level up is SAS Grund but the problem for me is they don't do an evening class at that level in my kommun.

As others have said it is too easy to get by in English here and sometimes even when I ask for something in Swedish some reply in English as they can tell from the pronunciation of some letters that you are a native English speaker, sometimes I wonder if I have "I am a gobshite" tatoo'd across my forehead!

If you make half an effort it will come to you, I tend to pick up a lot just from hearing it all the time, listening to the radio etc.

[domc]

Have also been lazy on the learning front but did some searching recently and was recommended to try an intensive course at Folkuniversitetet, so am signed up for 2 weeks in August. Cost is not too steep when consider what provided - 50 hours of small group tuition. We'll see what its like but friends said was good way to kick start / advance learning.

[Kegzmc]

I am planning to take a course fairly soon. Yes I would be up for a pint for sure.

[michealbirch]

Im here about a month myself. Im still waiting on my personal number which will take another month or so. Then i will join sfi course. I have been learning basics online and with my partner.
Any look with work it is proving to be a nightmare for me.

[Kegzmc]

Have you searched this forum yet? Most of your topics come up often.

Im here about a month myself. Im still waiting on my personal number which will take another month or so. Then i will join sfi course. I have been learning basics online and w ... (show full quote)

Im here about a month myself. Im still waiting on my personal number which will take another month or so. Then i will join sfi course. I have been learning basics online and with my partner.
Any look with work it is proving to be a nightmare for me. ... (hide full quote)

Hi michael.

I'm starting Sfi next week. The company I started with are letting me take 20 hours a week for 6 months to learn Swedish. They helped accelerate me getting on course. Like u I'm practising with missus most nights.

I work in electrical trade so finding work was easy. What are you working with?

[michealbirch]

Good stuff you must of received your personal number pretty quick. I have still yet to receive mine before i can start sfi course.

I am an electrician by trade in domestic and commercial and cctv aswell. Trained and worked in ireland and i have worked in Australia for two years and New zealand for one year.
At the moment im not working i have been sending cvs to swedish Electricial companys but only one or two replys, most are not willing because of my lack of swdish.
Any companys that you might no that you think i should try?

[Kegzmc]

I got my PPS number in 3 days. I had a contract of employment which I think fast tracked it. I'm only hear a few weeks so I dont know a lot of people. I do however work as an Automation consultant for a huge company that contacts in a lot of electrical companies for installations in the process control world.

I'll check and see what's going next week for you.Where are you living and how far are you willing to travel?

[michealbirch]

Great stuff that you got your PPS number quickly. That will make life so much easier for you. I cant even open a bank account but luckily i can use my missus account for the time being.
Ye that would be great if you could check the more advice i get is better in the long run and i would appreciate it greatly .
There is a gaa club here in stockholm which i have being in contact with and they have invited me to a training session which im planning on going in a few weeks if thats something you would be intrested in.
Otherwise if your around stockholm so time we can grab a pint.
Im living in Saltsjö-boo stockholm i would be able to travel also.