Foundation Course J – Complementary Swedish for Upper Secondary School, 16-18 years old

The course is designed to provide students with training in the following aspects of Swedish language and culture, according to the Swedish National Agency for Education's curriculum for complementary Swedish and certain parts of the Swedish National Agency for Education's curriculum for social studies:

• Linguistic correctness, the linguistic and textual qualities a text in Swedish should possess to function effectively in its context.
• Written production in Swedish of investigative and argumentative texts of various kinds. Swedish norms and stylistic features associated with these text types.
• Reading and working with Swedish texts, which includes structuring, sifting, compiling, summarizing, and critically evaluating sources.
• Oral presentation in Swedish of an investigative and argumentative nature.
• Swedish fiction from different eras and within the genres of prose, poetry, and drama.
• Argumentation techniques.
• Swedish dialects and linguistic variation in spoken and written language related to, for example, age, gender, and social background. Differences between formal and informal language use, as well as attitudes towards various forms of linguistic variation.
• Cultural issues related to Sweden.
• Societal issues related to Sweden, such as current social issues or societal conditions in Sweden. Comparisons between Sweden and other countries. More specifically within the areas of: Parties and Ideology, How Sweden is Governed, European and Nordic Cooperation, Swedish Working Life, Welfare and Security.

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 and completion of assigned readings and assignments.

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.

The instruction is planned by Anna Samrud, a certified high school teacher in Swedish and history.

During the academic year, Swedish traditions are woven into the instruction, such as Lucia, Christmas, Fat Tuesday, Easter, and school graduation.
All courses are designed according to SMUL-akademin's pedagogical concept.

Foundation Course J focuses on two tracks: complementary Swedish and how Sweden functions as a country and society.

The following digital learning materials are used in the course:

• The learning material Formativ svenska 1 is developed for the upper secondary course Swedish 1. The starting point is a formative approach, and the content is based on the subject's goals, content, and knowledge requirements according to the curriculum. Examples of content include: oral presentation in prepared conversations and in front of a group, text production such as posts, arguments, and columns, working with fiction, non-fiction, and other narratives, as well as linguistic variation. The learning material has a clear structure that takes its cue from a number of questions: What is the goal? How will you achieve the goal? How are you doing? How do you proceed? and How did it go? Pattern assignments, model texts, student examples, and formative assignments provide many opportunities to practice, receive feedback, and continue to develop.
• SOS Samhälle is adapted to the new curriculum in Sweden for social studies. Societal issues are becoming increasingly pressing. Globalization, media, and politics are just some of the issues a democratic citizen must be aware of. We focus on the practical aspects of Sweden's political system, including the EU and how Sweden is governed, but also discuss relevant contemporary aspects of immigration, equality, and environmental thinking.
  Students will read both fiction and non-fiction texts, such as classic short stories, columns, newspaper articles, and letters to the editor. In the study groups, students will converse, reflect, and compare experiences based on current study material. Students will also work with example texts and past tests, such as national exams in Swedish and social studies. They will also work on vocabulary comprehension.

We also recommend acquiring a Swedish dictionary. Examples of dictionaries:

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

See a sample of Formativ svenska 1 here >>
See a sample of SOS Samhälle 7-9 here >>

If you have questions about the detailed setup, we recommend reading the page Frequently Asked Questions about SMUL-akademin

Class J1 Europe (Wednesday)
Teacher: Anna Samrud

Stockholm: 7:00 PM

Class J2 North America (East) (Wednesday)
Teacher: Mimmi Pinto

Dallas 4:30 PM
New York 5:30 PM

Class J3 Asia/Australia (Tuesday)
Teacher: Anna Samrud

Singapore 6:15 PM/7:15 PM
Tokyo 7:15 PM/8:15 PM
Sydney 8:15 PM/10:15 PM
Note: This class is based on Swedish time 12:15 PM

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