English might be one of the most commonly spoken languages in the world, but don’t expect to hear Swedes speaking English to each other. Although more than 80 percent of people in Sweden do speak English, you might still come across people who don’t, so it’s best to learn some basic Swedish phrases for common niceties.
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Can you live in Sweden only speaking English?
Yes and no, depending on where you go. Most workers on the SL transport network speak English, and a lot of the information is in Swedish and English. However, most Swedes do expect that if you have been here for 6 months +, you do have a good command of the language.
Are all Swedes fluent in English?
English might not be the official language in Sweden, but almost everyone in Sweden excels at speaking it. In 2017 Sweden ranked 2nd out of 80 countries in the EF English Proficiency Index ↗️ (EF EPI), which measures the language proficiency of non-native speaking countries.
Do all Swedes learn English?
In summary, there is an expectation in Sweden that all Swedes can communicate in English. Swedish schools teach English seriously to all students from a young age.At the same time, Swedes’ openness and English ability put them in a good position to welcome more international students and professionals.
Is English mandatory in Sweden?
While entrance requirements vary between programmes, all of them demand students to have passing grades in Swedish, English and mathematics from their final year of compulsory schooling.
Is living in Sweden depressing?
Sweden’s youth are at the highest risk of depression in Europe, according to a study by Eurofound.“Sweden is one of the best places you can live! A significant number of people are not thriving, but it’s still one of the countries in the world where most people are happy.” Happiness is relative though.
Is Sweden expensive?
On a global scale, Sweden isn’t even in the top 10 most expensive countries. Most surveys rank the overall cost of living below that of the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Americans may find Sweden considerably more expensive than it is at home, however.
Is Stockholm English friendly?
A very high proportion of the Swedish population (close to 90%) can speak English very fluently, and you will have no problems conversing with people in English in Stockholm or anywhere else in Sweden. You will not need to speak Swedish for any trip there.
What language is closest to English?
Frisian
The closest language to English is one called Frisian, which is a Germanic language spoken by a small population of about 480,000 people. There are three separate dialects of the language, and it’s only spoken at the southern fringes of the North Sea in the Netherlands and Germany.
Is Sweden Safe?
Is Sweden dangerous? No, Sweden is not dangerous. In fact, it’s one of the safest countries in Europe and worldwide. Crime rates are super low and locals are incredibly welcoming and friendly.
Is Stockholm safe at night?
Stockholm is generally very safe to visit, even though since the ’80s crime rates have steadily been on the rise, so watch out when walking the streets of Stockholm especially at night and during weekends. There are also areas to be avoided such as Rinkeby, with violent crimes and robberies being more and more common.
Is Sweden bilingual?
Of Sweden’s roughly 10 million people, almost all speak Swedish as at least a second language and the majority as a first language (7,825,000, according to SIL’s Ethnologue).
English in Sweden
We start with Sweden, which is possibly the most proficient of all the Scandinavian countries in terms of English fluency. It showed up as the top country in the world in a 2018 study by Education First that ranked countries by English skills.
Is school in Sweden free?
Education in Sweden is compulsory and free for all children attending public schools between the ages of seven and 16. In addition to this system, expat parents also have the option of sending their children to a private or international school.
Is alcohol illegal in Sweden?
Legal age to buy and drink alcohol in Sweden
Sweden is very strict when it comes to access of alcohol. One has to be age 18 to be allowed to drink any alcohol. To buy beer or wine in a restaurant, pub or night club in Sweden one has to be 18, too; same if you want buy low percentage beer/cider (<3.5%) in supermarkets.
How long is a school day in Sweden?
Students attend a minimum of 178 days and a maximum of 190 days annually. Students attend the first two grades for six hours daily. Older grades require them to attend eight hours daily. The academic year at institutes of higher learning in Sweden is divided into two semesters.
Are Swedish people stressed?
The latest edition of Sweden’s national public health survey (nationella folkhälsoenkäten) suggests that stress levels in capital Stockholm are the highest of the country, with 16 percent of those surveyed there saying they felt stressed.
How long is it dark in Sweden?
Sweden is a country with big differences in daylight. In the far north, the sun does not set at all in June and there is darkness around the clock in January. However, in January in Stockholm the sun rises at 8:47 am and sets at 2:55 pm, while in July the sun rises at 3:40 am and sets 10:00 pm.
How long are winters in Sweden?
Spring, summer, fall and winter each have their own unique personalities. Spring runs from March/April to May, summer from June to August, fall from September to October/November and winter from November/December to March/February.
What are the bad things about Sweden?
List of the Cons of Living in Sweden
- You will need to get used to the climate in Sweden.
- People in Sweden tend to isolate and stay in their comfort zone.
- You will quickly discover the unwritten rules of the Law of Jante in Sweden.
- Health insurance in Sweden does not cover everything.
Is smoking allowed in Sweden?
Smoking has been banned in all bars and restaurants since May 2005. A majority of Swedes supported the introduction of the ban. Sweden was the only European country to achieve the WHO goal of less than 20% daily smoking prevalence among adults by year 2000.
