SFI vs. SAS Grund vs. SAS Gymnasiet
This comparison chart is based off of my personal experiences studying in Halmstad 2012 – 2014 and researching information online. Things might vary by town or teacher but most things are regulated by skolverket. If anything has been updated or changed, or if you have anything to add or ask, let me know!
Today is two years since starting Something Swedish, and in two months it will mark two years since I started going to school to learn Swedish. Since then, I’ve tried to keep my progress in school up to date, without overloading the blog. Catch up here:
Applied to SFI Feb 7, 2012
Started SFI March 27, 2012
First SFI National test Sept 20, 2012
(Finished SFI Dec 15, 2012)
Started ground level SAS/Comparing SFI and SAS Jan 16, 2013
Finished SAS (18 weeks early) June 27, 2013
Being back in High School:
I somehow failed to mention that I started taking high school (gymnasiet) level Swedish in August. So, here’s an update and an in depth comparison post that I hope helps people just starting out!
Three weeks ago the first level (1/3) of SAS gymnasiet ended. I had mixed emotions about the class, and put in a mixed amount of effort. This was partly because of being tired of studying, being bored with the difficulty level, being busy working, and focusing on a more difficult class (civics/political science) I was taking at the same time. I got an overall grade of B in the class, as well as on the national exam (oral presentation = A, reading comprehension =A, essay = C)
I was excited to start SAS1 because I read that it would be challenging and center around literature, which I love. Finally I would be learning Swedish on a level where other Swedes study! I was a bit disappointed to find out that this first class is a mix between a repetition of SAS Grund and preparation for SAS2. I understand it’s purpose, but I was bored – and unlike all of the other classes I’ve taken, you don’t have the option to go through the material quicker: 20 weeks means 20 weeks. If I had known that, I would have taken a test to be places in SAS2. Thankfully I had a teacher I like and find easy to learn from and understand (and have had before) and was in a class with some people I knew from SAS. Even if it was a bit slower than I would have liked, it fit my schedule perfectly and still challenged me from time to time.
I’ll be updating the chart and writing more in depth about the national exam once I complete the whole course and have more insight – which feels like forever away.