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Are Swedish language tests for citizenship a good idea?

The Local Sweden
The Local Sweden - news@thelocal.se
Are Swedish language tests for citizenship a good idea?
Crown Princess Victoria holds a copy of the new Swedish Academy dictionary at an event to mark its release in May 2024. Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT

In this week's episode of Sweden in Focus Extra for Membership+ subscribers: what is Sweden's language law, and is it a good move for Sweden to introduce language and knowledge tests for permanent residency and citizenship?

Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by Pernilla Johansson from the Language Council of Sweden as well as The Local's James Savage and Emma Löfgren.

Sweden is pushing ahead with plans to require applicants for permanent residency and citizenship to pass language and knowledge tests. But what does the country's Language Council make of the idea? 

And do our panelists know their Astrid Lindgren from their Selma Lagerlöf? 

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Sweden in Focus Extra is a podcast for The Local's Membership+ subscribers. Follow the relevant links below to get full access. 

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Comments (2)

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Pete Stockholm, SE
I made a big effort to learn German while working there,and have done likewise in Sweden,I could be lazy and speak English all day long, as I am British,But if you are going to live here maybe for the rest of your life.Then make an effort it's worthwhile
art
With A.I algorithms for all languages available on our devices , at real time translation , the need for these tests will be redundant soon. So it being a requirement to obtain a Citizenship , or Permanent Resident card by 2027 , A.I will probably be making that choice for the Government. The world is changing..fast.

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