According to the 2019 edition of the EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI), Sweden ranks #2 out of 100 countries and regions that speak English as a second language. The capital of Stockholm’s English proficiency is 69.24 percent. This is music to the ears of native English speakers because it means one can forego packing a language dictionary, or relying on Google Translate when planning a visit to the Scandinavian country.

But what does this mean if you want to move to, or already live as an expatriate in Sweden? With English spoken by over half of its population, do you need to learn Swedish? The simple answer is no. English is considered a core subject in Sweden, up there with Swedish and mathematics. Swedes are also large consumers of English language media. So it should come as no surprise that they are adept at communicating very well with native English speakers.

From the comfort of your home, car, or office, you can begin learning Swedish...

That being said, if you want to integrate into Swedish society, it is ideal if you learn to speak Swedish. Standardized during the 20th century, it became the official language of Sweden on July 1, 2009, and is spoken by 90 percent of its residents (and parts of Finland and Estonia too). So it goes without saying that Swedish is the default language for Swedes when socializing and/or expressing their thoughts and feelings. Plus, as Stephanie Ford says in her article titled “How I Learned To Speak Swedish”, “...I’m a big believer that learning another language means that you learn a new way of thinking, not just some new words.”

If you’re like me and want to get a head start on learning the language before coming to Sweden, there are language apps that can help you. And many of them are free and available for download on iOS and Android devices. From the comfort of your home, car, or office, you can begin learning Swedish by using one of the top three free language applications out there, according to EHL Insights.

Duolingo is probably the most well-known of the free apps, and one I’ve used to help with learning Swedish. The app consists of individual courses made up of modules grouped by skill level. You move through each one by completing a range of activities which include translations, word matches, and speaking exercises. Duolingo also shows you your weakest words and gives you the option to redo specific lessons.

Voted Best App by Google Play Awards (2017), iPhone and iPad, Memrise stands out amongst the others due to its usage of real-life language. It also employs memes instead of flashcards to help with vocabulary retention. Additionally, Memrise utilizes video clips of speakers who speak in their native language which is specific to their city and/or region.

HelloTalk is the newest of the three apps and distinguishes itself by being the only one to connect you directly with native speakers. Using its own direct interface, HelloTalk pairs you with a conversation partner who communicates with you through texts and/or voice messages. It also creates community by allowing you to make public posts that connect you with others learning your target language.

From September 2018 to June 2019 I worked with Martina at Strømmen’s in L.A.

For those interested in a more personal and hands-on approach, most major U.S. cities have schools that offer private online lessons to learn Swedish. Although these services are not free, it is a way to work with an instructor in real-time, giving you immediate feedback and support. It can also be a way to connect with others in your city who are learning Swedish.

U.S. schools that offer Swedish language online tutoring include Strømmen Language School in Los Angeles, California, TakeLessons in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Language Trainers in New York, New York. From September 2018 to June 2019 I worked with Martina at Strømmen’s in L.A. She’s a tutor who combines honest, supportive and constructive feedback with the brevity of wit to help one effectively communicate in Swedish.

If you’d like more information, and/or are looking to connect with someone directly in Sweden, you can also check out Folkuniversitetet in Stockholm, the University of Gothenburg in Gothenburg, or Malmö University in Malmö. Lycka till!