About Multilingualism
Multilingualism means living with multiple languages simultaneously. We master them to varying degrees in different domains and on different occasions. Contemporary research on multilingualism has shifted the view of how different languages are used, from absolute to dynamic. Language exists where there is a need—both for adults and children living abroad.
Preserve and Develop Your Own Swedish
If you have lived abroad for a long time and primarily use another language in your daily life, your Swedish may weaken and become difficult to use. Furthermore, the language does not evolve in the same way as it does in Sweden, which can make your Swedish sound dated and old-fashioned. How then do you continue to develop your Swedish? The advice is quite straightforward, but we are happy to present it nonetheless.
Find Swedish friends to continue using your Swedish as often as possible. Swedish organizations are important here, especially if you do not have close friends where you live who happen to be Swedish. Local or international organizations—such as SWEA International—hold meetings and have a cultural focus that serves as linguistic support for Swedes living abroad.
Read Swedish books. Why not start a Swedish book club where you can discuss new books?
Watch Swedish TV programs and films. Most channels stream content today. A VPN connection may be required to facilitate this.
Do you have more advice? Please share it with us by sending an email.
Support Your Child's Swedish
How to Teach Your Child Swedish Abroad
Children do not learn languages automatically—they need the right context.
Teaching children Swedish abroad can feel both important and difficult. Many parents find that children quickly switch to the majority language and that their Swedish risks becoming passive. Here, we have gathered practical advice and experiences from Swedish families living abroad on how you can strengthen your child's Swedish—in everyday life, step by step. You are the expert on your child. This is support—not rules.
Why Do Children Lose Their Swedish Abroad?
It is common for children to:
- understand Swedish but not speak it
- respond in another language
- gradually use less Swedish
This is often because:
- school, friends, and society use another language
- the child chooses the language that works everywhere
- Swedish lacks a clear "need"
This does not mean that anything has gone wrong, but that the Swedish language needs active nourishment and space.
Support Your Child's Swedish
10 Ways to Strengthen Your Child's Swedish Language
1. Start Early
Speak Swedish right from the beginning. Early language sounds influence the child's later pronunciation and linguistic intuition—even if the child does not yet respond.
2. Be Consistent
If you want the child to speak Swedish, there must be a need. Mixing languages without structure often leads to the child responding in the majority language. Feel free to create "Swedish moments," for example, at bedtime, during meals, or story time.
3. Repeat and Help Build the Language
If the child responds in another language—repeat it in Swedish. You can also ask: "How do you say that in Swedish?"
This helps the child transition from comprehension to active language use.
4. Read Books in Swedish
Regular reading is one of the most effective paths to language acquisition.
• Read daily if possible
• Adapt to the child's level
• Start in parallel when the child learns to read in other languages
Tip: Read first in one language and repeat in Swedish—or vice versa.
5. Use Swedish TV and Media
Children's programs can provide both linguistic rhythm and vocabulary. Many Swedes abroad use streaming services and Swedish children's programs online.
6. Watch Swedish Films
Build a library of Swedish films. You can request films as gifts and exchange them with other families. Use Swedish children's media as a natural part of everyday life.
7. Create a Swedish-Speaking Environment
Children need to hear Swedish from more than one person. For example, by talking to Swedish friends, participating in local Swedish playgroups (sometimes available through networks like SWEA International), and attending Swedish school abroad.
8. Choose Multilingual Environments
In environments where multiple languages are the norm, Swedish becomes less "atypical." This can make it easier for the child to use the language without resistance.
9. Visit Sweden When You Can
Time in Sweden provides natural language exposure by giving the child the opportunity to build their own relationships and learn Swedish culture, which often provides personal motivation to use the language.
10. Maintain Traditions
Language and culture are interconnected. Even if your children live abroad, they can celebrate Midsummer, Lucia, Christmas, and Walpurgis Night. Culture makes the Swedish language come alive in everyday life.
Support Your Child's Swedish
My Child Understands Swedish but Does Not Speak It – What Do I Do?
This is very common. Children can have passive Swedish—they understand but do not use the language.
To reverse this, you can create more of a need for Swedish by consistently repeating what you say in the local language in Swedish. It is important to give this time—it can take months or years if the parent did not establish Swedish from the beginning. The goal is not perfection, but frequent use of Swedish.
Can Children Lose Their Mother Tongue?
Yes, if the language is not used actively. However, it can be rebuilt. The key is to ensure continuity and exposure to Swedish. The most important factor is that children have relationships where they speak Swedish.
Create a Plan for Your Child's Swedish
Consider:
• Do you want the child to be able to read and write Swedish?
• Should the child be able to study in Sweden?
• How much Swedish is sufficient for your family?
Once you know the goal, it becomes easier to choose a strategy.
Learning Difficulties and Multilingualism
What Research Says About Learning Difficulties in Connection with Multilingualism
Multilingualism does not cause learning difficulties
The mother tongue is an important resource for learning
It takes a long time to develop academic language (5–7 years or more) compared to everyday language, which develops relatively quickly (1–2 years)
Assessment must be nuanced and multilingual
Early intervention and the right support make a big difference
Multilingualism should be seen as a resource, not an obstacle. Challenges in Swedish usually relate to the learning process rather than inherent difficulties. It is only when problems persist across multiple languages and over time that more specific learning difficulties should be investigated.
Learning difficulties in Swedish in connection with multilingualism often concern how language acquisition is affected when a student develops multiple languages simultaneously. It is important to distinguish between actual difficulties and those that are a natural part of being multilingual.
Learning Difficulties and Multilingualism
What Can Influence This?
Linguistic Exposure:
How much and in what contexts the student encounters Swedish plays a major role. Limited exposure can cause development to progress more slowly.
Transfer Between Languages:
Structures from the student's other languages can influence their Swedish (e.g., grammar, pronunciation).
Vocabulary:
Multilingual students may have a smaller vocabulary in each individual language, but a larger one overall.
Academic Language vs. Everyday Language:
It takes longer to develop academic language (school language) than everyday language.
Common Misconceptions
That multilingualism in itself causes learning difficulties—it does not.
That a student who mixes languages has a problem (code-switching is normal).
That one should stop using the mother tongue (on the contrary, it can strengthen learning).
Resources for Swedish Abroad
You can receive support through:
Studies at the SMUL Academy. We offer courses for students aged 5–19, for both beginners and in supplementary Swedish.
Swedish schools abroad
Distance learning at Svenska distans and Sofia Distans
Remote instruction at Global Svenska Plus
Printed educational materials that can be ordered from Bokus.com
Digital materials and worksheets at Lektion.se
Teaching children Swedish abroad is not about perfection; it is about:
Small choices in everyday life
Consistency over time
The relationship between you and the child
Swedish grows where it is given space.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teaching Children Swedish Abroad
How do I get my child to speak Swedish?
By creating a need, being consistent, and giving the language a place in everyday life.
Is it too late to start later?
No, but it requires more structure and repetition.
Do you have to speak Swedish all the time?
No, but the child needs clear contexts where Swedish is used.
Do You Want Support?
The SMUL Academy helps families worldwide to provide their children with a living Swedish language.