Swedish for Beginners, Intermediate Level – Middle & High School, ages 13-19

Beginner Swedish Levels 3 & 4 are aimed at teenagers aged 13–19 who live abroad and preferably have at least one Swedish-speaking parent. The courses are designed for students who have studied Swedish with us at SMUL-akademin for at least 2–3 academic years or equivalent. NYB Level 3 corresponds to A2 level studies, while NYB Level 4 corresponds to B1 level studies (CEFR).

The course consists of 30 teacher-led lessons planned by a teacher of Swedish as a second language. The teacher goes through the material and assignments in a small group on Zoom. The student works on assignments between lessons, preferably with support from the Swedish-speaking parent. Instruction is conducted with English as the support language—French or Spanish is also possible upon request.

The course can be completed in two ways:

remote instruction in a group with a teacher (online)
private tutoring in a small group (1–3 students)

Instruction focuses on building vocabulary and developing an understanding of the language and its structure.

Academic objectives

In the NYB Step 3 course, students practice the following, among other things:
Grammar: 

<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">verb groups 
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">phrasal verbs 
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">prepositions 
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">adverbs</li>
</ul>
Reading and speaking about: 

<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">past experiences and activities</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">expressing agreement and disagreement</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">plans for the future</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">talking about how I feel</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">understanding and giving advice</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">news and weather</li>
</ul>
Factual texts 

<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">about Sweden 
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Swedish traditions 
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">habits and norms</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Writing assignments</li>
</ul>
 
In the NYB Step 4 course, students practice the following, among other things:
Grammar: 

<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">adjectives 
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">verbs 
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">prepositions of time 
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">nouns 
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">word order</li>
</ul>
Reading and speaking about themes such as: 

<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">sports and leisure</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">art and friendship</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">money and dreams</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">animals and nature</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">time and everyday life</li>
</ul>
Reading factual texts: 

<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Swedish artists 
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Swedish animals 
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">politics 
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">the Nordic region</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Writing assignments</li>
</ul>
The course comprises 30 60-minute lessons.
To receive a diploma, students must complete the course modules according to the checklist, attend at least 25 lessons, and submit all required assignments.

Course structure and level

The course follows a study plan with 30 lessons. The lessons are described in assignment schedules where all study components are specified with page and file references. 
The teaching is planned by Maria Diemar, a teacher of Swedish as a second language. The teacher reviews material and assignments in small groups on Zoom. Students work on assignments between lessons with the Swedish-speaking parent as support. 
The Swedish courses for students at the beginner/intermediate level are based on monolingual teaching materials from Sweden for beginner/intermediate students, but otherwise follow the curriculum for supplementary Swedish.
Students taking beginner Swedish courses often already know a lot about Sweden, regularly celebrate Swedish traditions, and may even have Swedish intonation when speaking because they have regularly heard Swedish since they were young. The goal of our beginner courses is for students to be able to approach Sweden and Swedish relatives with a stronger and more natural Swedish as part of their identity. 
In the NYB Step 3 and 4 courses, students will continue to build their vocabulary, understanding of the language, and its structure. We will continue to work on reading and reading comprehension, now with longer texts and various themes.

Level 1 teaching materials

The older students studying NYB Step 3 work with the textbook Rivstart and the Veckans ord series, as well as SMUL-akademin’s own developed material. The material is selected and created to motivate students and to help them recognize themselves and their Swedish cultural background. 
Students aged 10-13 years studying NYB Step 3 work with the textbook Fördel Läs och förstå, which they are already familiar with. They will also work with the textbook Lär dig läs and the classic textbook Veckans ord. 
In addition to these textbooks, other current and engaging materials are used, such as news quizzes, newspaper articles, and media, as well as skill training conducted via the digital platform Quizlet. 
All courses are designed according to SMUL-akademin’s pedagogical concept.
In addition to these teaching materials, other current and engaging materials are used, such as news quizzes, newspaper articles, and media, as well as skills practice conducted via the digital platform Quizlet.
All courses are designed according to SMUL Academy’s pedagogical concept.
 
Preview of learning materials
 
Step 3 for students aged 10-13 
<a href="https://smakprov.nok.se/?isbn=9789127454569">Preview: Fördel Läs och förstå </a> >> 
<a href="https://smakprov.nok.se/?isbn=9789127448162">Sample: Lär dig läs</a> >> 
<a href="https://www.smakprov.se/las/9789144190426?partner=studentlitteratur">Sample: Veckans ord 4</a> >>
Step 3 for students aged 13 and up 
<a href="https://smakprov.nok.se/?isbn=9789127462342">Preview: Rivstart A1/A2</a> >> 
<a href="https://www.smakprov.se/las/9789144191607?partner=studentlitteratur">Sample: Veckans ord 5</a> >>

Frequently asked questions

Level 2 teaching materials

Students taking NYB Step 4 work with Rivstart B1/B2 and Veckans ord. 
Step 4 for students aged 13 and up 
<a href="https://smakprov.nok.se/?isbn=9789127466852">Preview: Rivstart B1/B2</a> >> 
<a href="https://www.smakprov.se/las/9789144159454?partner=studentlitteratur">Sample: Veckans ord 6</a> >>
If you have questions about the course structure, we recommend that you visit the page Frequently Asked Questions.

Frequently asked questions

Lesson options

Class NYB HÖG IIIA Step 3 Europe (Monday) 
Teacher: Maria Diemar 
In the registration form, this course is named: NYB MELL/HÖG Step 3 (Europe) IIIA: Monday 5:30 PM London / 6:30 PM Stockholm
London: 5:30 PM 
Stockholm: 6:90 PM
Class NYB HÖG IIIB Step 3 North America (Wednesday) 
Teacher: Maria Diemar 
In the registration form, this course is named: NYB MELL/HÖG Step 3 (North America) IIIB: Wednesday 3:30 PM LA PT / 5:30 PM Dallas CT / 6:30 PM NYC ET
Los Angeles: 3:30 PM 
Dallas: 5:30 PM 
New York: 6:30 PM
Class NYB IIIIA Step 4 Europe (Tuesday) 
Teacher: Maria Diemar
London: 6:30 PM 
Stockholm: 7:30 PM
Class NYB IIIIB Step 4 North America (Tuesday) 
Teacher: Maria Diemar
Los Angeles: 3:30 PM 
Dallas: 5:30 PM 
New York: 6:30 PM

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

Academic Year Calendar 2026/2027

Number of Lessons

30 lessons

Reporting and Credits

A completed study plan, required reading, and reporting provide 50 credits at SMUL Academy and a diploma as proof.

Term start and end

Parent meeting August 30 
Course start second week of September 
School graduation June 13, 2027

Tuition fee for teacher-led distance learning

CAD$ 1,149* 
EUR€ 712** 
USD$ 840**

*See payment information and terms here

Based on exchange rate April 1, 2026

Convert to your own currency

Maria Diemar

Course Coordinator