Learning Swedish

June 9, 2010

in Stockholm,Travels

I’ve started studying Swedish again after a long hiatus. This time around, it’s so much easier. I am used to the sound of the language and have been using and reading it regularly. Now I want to build on my base.

My relationship with Swedish started out on a bad note. On day one of my very first ever Swedish class, big, blonde and opinionated instructor Helena announced during the Jag kommer fran or “I come from…” introductions to the class that she didn’t like Americans. As I was the only American in class, I took it personally. But stupidly, I never complained to the university.

Looking back, I’m not sure why. I had only lived in Sweden for about two weeks and I was in culture and language shock, so I was definitely not my usual feisty self. I was also intimidated. I was so new, I did not know any Swedish whatsoever. Everyone else in class seemed to have a working grasp of the language and I scrambled from the start. And then there was Helena, my Viking instructor from hell… At least my new Swedish instructor Gunilla remains terrific after a few lessons.

{ 9 comments }

1 Annelie June 9, 2010 at 12:06

Good for you! Soon you’ll be more than fluent.

2 Roger June 9, 2010 at 12:23

what a stupid teacher, you should file a complaint now to the uni, she might still be teaching there

3 Kezia June 9, 2010 at 13:33

I agree with Roger. And, I’m happy you decided to give it a serious go again!

4 admin June 9, 2010 at 14:23

Hi Annelie, Roger & Kezia,
Thanks for the show of support. I’ve had a couple classes so far with a private instructor with one other student.
And you’re right, that Helena deserves a kick out the door. And it is a very reputable school here…

5 Antropologa June 9, 2010 at 15:06

Ah! I will be starting in August, myself. Good luck!

6 admin June 10, 2010 at 09:59

And good luck to you too, Antropologa. You have studied before too, right? It should also be easier for you too.

7 Tom June 10, 2010 at 20:39

Ja vill inte dö enspråkiga!

8 admin June 10, 2010 at 23:30

Hej Tom,
Du är för rölig!
Jan kan också tala lite spanska .

9 Antropologa June 14, 2010 at 17:21

No, I haven’t studied Swedish, actually. I’ve picked up some nonetheless, but no formal studies.

Comments on this entry are closed.

Previous post:

Next post: