Must-have: free apps and sites for learning Swedish

You don't need to buy expensive books to learn Swedish. Here are free resources that help you read, listen and learn new words.

Dictionaries

• Lexin: a free dictionary between Swedish and many other languages. It is on the web and as an app.
• Svenska Akademiens ordböcker: a free app for checking spelling, word forms and meanings.

Easy news

• 8 Sidor: news in easy Swedish, with short sentences.
• Klartext: news in easy Swedish from Sveriges Radio. You can listen and read at the same time.
• SVT Nyheter på lätt svenska: short TV news in easy Swedish, with text.

TV and radio

• UR Play: free programmes from the Swedish Educational Broadcasting Company, including material for SFI students.
• SVT Play: turn on Swedish subtitles (svensk text), then listen and read at the same time.

The library

A library card is free. At the library you'll find easy-to-read books (lättlästa böcker), audiobooks and often a language café (språkcafé), where you can speak Swedish with others. Many libraries also offer homework help.

Speak more

Speak Swedish in the shop, with neighbours and at work. It feels hard at first, but that is how you become confident. You can always ask: "Kan du prata lite långsammare?" (Can you speak a little slower?)

Practise for the test

Before the national test, it helps to practise in the same format as the test. Read 7 traps that cost you points.