The app that teaches you Swedish while you watch TV

Still struggling to learn the Swedish language? A new app featuring popular Swedish television shows and tailored language support can help take your Swedish to new heights.

Published: Thu 7 Dec 2017 11:46 CEST
The app that teaches you Swedish while you watch TV
Photo: SVT

We’ve all been there. You hear a string of sounds that make sense to everyone in the room but you.

Sure, there are parts that seem familiar; that you know you’ve heard before. But it all moves so fast your brain just can’t keep up.

Yep, learning Swedish is no easy task. Classes can only take you so far, and words often ‘look’ different than they sound. Plus Swedes often switch to English at the first sign you’re struggling.

But now Swedish public broadcaster SVT has developed, SVT Språkplay, a free app that lets you learn Swedish - and watch TV at the same time.

The app gives you access to thousands of subtitled TV shows with interactive Swedish language support in 18 languages, including English, Spanish, Arabic, and Russian.

Download SVT Språkplay for iOS / Download SVT Spåkplay for Android

Thus, SVT Språkplay makes SVT's programmes more accessible to people who are either new in Sweden or simply want to develop their Swedish language skills.

"This is a really useful tool for people who want to improve their Swedish,” says Erik Hedin, project manager at SVT.

“It’s a great way to learn the language and more about Swedish society,”

Click on words to learn more

After downloading the app, simply choose your language, level of Swedish, and start watching.

When someone starts speaking onscreen, clickable Swedish subtitles appear on your screen.

Clicking on a word automatically brings up a translation into your chosen language. You can click to hear that word spoken on its own, and also save words in a personalized glossary.

Choose from thousands of programs

The app features thousands of SVT programmes in several different categories, including, drama, comedy, and children's programmes – there’s really something for everyone.

You can find all the programmes using the Search field or scrolling through the different Categories. Once you’ve picked a show, the app lets you practice your Swedish while watching something you like.

Learn more about SVT Språkplay

"We feel we’ve managed to develop a tool that is both simple and fun to use,” says Hedin.

“In addition to language learning, we hope that the app will help contribute to a more inclusive Sweden by giving more people a chance to keep up with events through news and popular television programmes.”

SVT Språkplay is currently only available to users in Sweden and supports English, Russian, Spanish, Arabic, Turkish, Albanian, Bosnian, Croatian, Persian, Finnish, Greek, Kurdish, Serbian, Somali, Azerbaijani, Amharic, Tigrinya and Pashto.

Download the app for iOS (iPhone / iPad) here

Download the app for Android here

This article was produced by The Local Client Studio and sponsored by SVT Språkplay.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also