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So you want to learn Swedish? I don’t blame you. Despite being spoken by only about 10 million speakers (primarily in Sweden and in parts of Finland), Swedish is one of the most spoken Germanic languages and is one of the most spoken languages in Europe. It is also one of the official EU languages.
If you find yourself living in Sweden, Finland, or any part of Europe, Swedish will come in handy.
A popular way to start learning languages is through mobile apps like Busuu. Alas, if you’re looking for a Busuu Swedish course, you won’t find it.
But while there’s no Swedish on Busuu, there are several alternatives that’ll help you get started and eventually master the language. Ready to dive in? Nu kör vi!
What is Busuu?
It’s perfectly reasonable to want to use Busuu for learning a language like Swedish. After all, it’s one of the most popular online resources for learning languages.
Busuu is best known for its bite-sized lessons that you can study at your own pace. Aside from being easily digestible, Busuu’s curricula are well-structured. The lessons are arranged according to the level of difficulty so you’ll only see exercises at the right level.
The app’s study plan and review feature also determines which words you find challenging and show which topics you need to work on more. What’s more, you can get help from native speakers in the app or get live classes from expert teachers.
Despite all the praises, Busuu is not without limitations. One con is that it offers only 14 languages including English, Spanish, French, Mandarin, and Korean. And unfortunately, the roster doesn’t include Swedish.
The best Busuu alternatives
There may be no Busuu Swedish course but there are plenty of other apps to learn Swedish. Here are three of my favorites:
1. Babbel
Whatever your reason for learning Swedish, the award-winning app Babbel can help you. The app can take you from newcomer to intermediate in 13 courses. But that’s not all.
It also has two refresher courses and lots of courses dedicated to grammar, countries and traditions, listening and speaking, and Swedish vocabulary. It even has special courses on confusing Swedish subjects and Swedish idioms.
With Babbel, you can expect fun and interactive exercises that’ll help you fine-tune your Swedish reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. The best part? You can do this in the context of Swedish culture. How practical is that?
Learn more about Babbel with this review.
Key features:
- Comprehensive and contextualized Swedish course
- Quick but substantial lessons
- A variety of exercises targeting all language skills
2. Mondly
If you like immersive apps and you have a competitive streak, Mondly might just be the app for you.
Mondly promises to get you started on your Swedish learning journey with daily lessons that can be as short as 10 minutes. Of course, as you come to enjoy the fun exercises and earn a spot on the leaderboard, you’ll find yourself spending more time on the app.
On Mondly, Swedish vocabulary and grammar are presented through games and easy-to-understand explanations. To make the lessons more authentic, audio guides are voiced by native speakers.
Key features:
- Teaches relevant vocabulary and grammar
- Learning Swedish through fun games and exercises
- Lessons can be taken from any mother tongue, not just English
3. Pimsleur
Try Pimsleur Swedish for FREE today
Want to be conversational in Swedish? As one of our recommended apps for speaking like a native, Pimsleur has to be one of your top options for fine-tuning your Swedish conversational skills.
Pimsleur is one of the oldest language learning programs. While the program mostly teaches languages through audio-based lessons, the app also features interactive elements like flashcards, games, and cultural info cards that can help you better appreciate the language.
With Pimsleur, you can nail down your Swedish pronunciation, accent, and intonation while learning vocabulary that you can easily apply in real life. No awkward or too formal sentences, just authentic Swedish to help you converse with Swedes.
Learn more about Pimsleur with this review.
Key features:
- Well-established method for learning and retaining language skills
- An audio-based program that can help hone your Swedish speaking skills
- Essential vocabulary and grammar taught in context
Other great resources to learn Swedish
You can’t go wrong with the above three apps. But I do realize that we have different preferences and learning styles. There are many helpful resources for learning Swedish, from apps to podcasts to books and more! Below are some of the best:
Glossika: This fun app uses audio spaced repetition training and full-sentence practice to improve your vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar. You can customize your content based on your level and learn from a massive database of carefully curated sentences.Â
Duolingo: In Sweden, the most popular language to learn on Duolingo is Swedish. Strange but true — as more people migrate to Sweden, more people flock to this popular app to learn Swedish. It helps that Duolingo is fun and free, so it’s best for newcomers who have no prior knowledge of Swedish. But I would advise against relying on it alone.
SVT SprĂĄkPlay: If learning the Swedish language and culture through TV shows sounds like your cup of tea (or kaffe), download this app. SVT is a Swedish television network and the SVT SprĂĄkPlay app allows you to watch Swedish shows while learning from the subtitles. Note, however, that the app is only available in Sweden due to rights.
Preply: While self-studying is great, having a native speaker as your tutor offers you value that you won’t get from self-learning materials: feedback. Preply lets you find Swedish tutors who will teach you and help you be comfortable with the language. You don’t even have to take lessons in English if that’s not your first language. Many Preply tutors speak more than two languages.
Alison: Master the basic vocabulary, grammar, and word order of this beautiful and melodic language through Alison’s free online courses. You can learn at your own pace and get a CPD-accredited certificate when you complete the course.
Cudoo: A great way to learn Swedish for travel, business, or personal development, Cudoo offers courses with certificates that cover different levels and topics. You can learn from native speakers, practice with interactive exercises, and access your lessons anytime and anywhere.Â
SFI: An initiative from the Swedish government, SFI or Swedish for Immigrants is a program that helps newcomers easily assimilate to the new language and culture. While there are in-person classes that you can attend once you arrive, the SFI website also offers online courses that you can take before you even go to Sweden.
Coffee Break Swedish: Love learning languages through podcasts? You will, once you start listening to Coffee Break Swedish. This long-running podcast teaches Swedish vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation tips, and explores the beautiful and unique Swedish culture.
Teach Yourself Complete Swedish: This book is often recommended for good reason. Covering vocabulary, grammar, sentence structures, writing, and more, this is a beginner-friendly but comprehensive book that can take you to advanced levels. Plus, it comes with a CD that can help improve your listening and speaking skills.
Short Stories in Swedish: A collection of engaging short stories, this book will help you see how Swedish is used in context. Not only are the stories interesting, but they also teach you new words and phrases, grammar, and sentence structure.
Say It In Swedish: This YouTube channel, which also has a podcast, offers a fun way to learn Swedish culture, pronunciation, Swedish sayings, and more. A good mix of language-focused content and cultural stuff.
Final thoughts
While a Busuu Swedish course sounds great, its absence shouldn’t stop you from progressing in your learning journey. With Babbel, Mondly, Pimsleur, and the suggested resources above, fluency is within reach.
Try to mix these apps with other types of learning materials for a holistic approach. Soon, you’ll find yourself ready to speak with Swedes!