Foundation Course I – Supplementary Swedish for Lower Secondary School, ages 14–15

The course is designed to give students practice in the following aspects of Swedish and Swedish culture, in accordance with the Swedish National Agency for Education’s syllabus for Supplementary Swedish (ages 13–15 and 16–20), as well as certain parts of the Swedish National Agency for Education’s syllabus for Social Studies for lower secondary school:

• Reading strategies for understanding, interpreting and analysing Swedish texts from different media. Identifying the texts’ message, theme and motifs, as well as their purpose, sender and context.
• Strategies for writing different types of texts in Swedish, adapted to their typical structure and linguistic features. Creating texts in which the Swedish language interacts with images and sound.
• Dictionaries and other aids for spelling and word comprehension in Swedish.
• Descriptive, explanatory, investigative, instructional and argumentative texts in Swedish, for example newspaper articles, work instructions and blog posts. The texts’ purpose, content and linguistic features.
• Swedish words and concepts used to express feelings, knowledge and opinions. Nuances and connotations of Swedish words and concepts. Figurative language and Swedish idiomatic expressions.
• New words in the Swedish language, for example loanwords.
• Differences in language use depending on the context, who you are communicating with, and the purpose of the communication.
• The importance of language for exerting influence and for one’s own identity development.
• Ethical and moral aspects of language use, freedom of expression and privacy in different media and contexts.
• Some varieties of regionally coloured spoken language in Sweden.
• Cultural, social and geographical issues related to Sweden, for example current social issues in Sweden, compared with similar issues in other countries, or cultural forms of expression from Sweden such as visual art, music and architecture.
• Social issues related to Sweden, for example current social issues or social conditions in Sweden. Comparisons between Sweden and other countries. More specifically:
  What is social studies? Sweden then and now, Immigration – immigration to Sweden, Living together, Democracy and dictatorship, Sweden’s national minorities, Sweden’s laws

The instruction follows the recommended teaching hours specified by the Swedish National Agency for Education for state grants: 2 × 37 hours.
To receive a diploma, students must complete the course’s study components according to the checklist. For distance learning, this means, for example, attendance at a minimum of 25 lessons, as well as completed reading assignments and submitted homework.

The course follows a study plan with 30 lessons. The lessons are described in assignment schedules where all study components are listed with page and file references.

Teaching is planned by Annika Lindh Cully, a certified teacher of Swedish, English and Social Studies for grades 4–9. During the school year, Swedish traditions are woven into the teaching, for example Lucia, Christmas, Shrove Tuesday, Easter and the end-of-school-year celebration.

All courses are designed according to SMUL Academy’s pedagogical concept.

The course is designed to give students practice in the following aspects of Swedish and Swedish culture, in accordance with the Swedish National Agency for Education’s syllabus for Supplementary Swedish (ages 13–15 and 16–20), as well as certain parts of the Swedish National Agency for Education’s syllabus for Social Studies for lower secondary school. The study material includes:

• Spegla språket 8 Digital is structured around different types of themes. The literature-based themes are based on topics that are close to the students and therefore engage them and spark interest, for example crime fiction, drama and language history. Within each literature-based theme, students encounter different text types, such as narrative, argumentative and instructional texts. Images and sound are also given significant space. Students’ skills in writing, reading and speaking are continuously practised. Functional grammar, genre-specific features, language correctness and vocabulary are other areas that are addressed and practised within the different themes.
• SOS Samhälle is adapted to Sweden’s new curriculum for Social Studies. Social issues are becoming increasingly pressing. Globalisation, media and politics are just some of the issues a democratic citizen must keep track of. We focus on the practical aspects of Sweden’s political system, including the EU and how Sweden is governed, but we also discuss relevant contemporary aspects of immigration, equality and environmental thinking.

See a sample of Spegla språket 8 Digital here >>
See a sample of SOS Samhälle here >>

We recommend purchasing a Swedish dictionary. Examples of dictionaries:

• Bonniers Swedish Dictionary
• Norstedts Swedish Dictionary
• Natur Kultur’s Swedish Dictionary
• Swedish Dictionary published by the Swedish Academy.

If you have questions about the detailed course structure, we recommend that you read the page Frequently Asked Questions about SMUL Academy.

Class I1 Europe (Thursday)
Teacher: Annika Lindh Cully

Stockholm: 8:00 PM

Class I2 North America (Thursday)
Teacher: Annika Lindh Cully

Los Angeles: 6:45 PM
Dallas: 8:45 PM
New York: 9:45 PM

Convert to see the lesson time in your location:
https://www.worldtimebuddy.com/