How do I join the språkcafé?
Send us an email to onlinesprakcafe@gmail.com or contact us via our contact form with the text: I want to join the språkcafé!
We will get back to you within 24 hours with a confirmation email. After that you will receive weekly invitations to the språkcafé. ✉️
When and where is the språkcafé held?
We usually meet on Wednesdays at 7 pm via Zoom. Invitations are sent in the morning of the same day and you also get a reminder shortly before the språkcafé.
How do I join a språkcafé session?
Click on the picture "Join the session!" and use the passcode you received in this week's invitation. Welcome! 💬 Read more here...
Who is the språkcafé for?
For anyone who wants to practice speaking Swedish. The best time to start with språkcafés is somewhere around A2.2 or B1.1 level. At that level, one has the necessary grammar and vocabulary to participate in a conversation.
However, many people tend to underestimate their level of knowledge, so it is best to come and see how you can benefit the most from our språkcafé. Everyone is welcome! 🙂
What do we talk about at the språkcafé?
To help make conversations richer and smoother, each språkcafé has a specific topic. The discussion questions are published on the website.
However, this is intended as help only. You can talk about anything that interests you. Be creative and proactive – create your own unique conversations and make the atmosphere as comfortable as possible for you and your conversation partners!
Why attend a språkcafé?
Many people who learn Swedish speak it below their actual level of proficiency because they do not have the opportunity to practice conversation, whether they learn Swedish on their own or in schools where conversation is not usually part of the curriculum.
Språkcafés are not meant to be replacements for private lessons or courses, they are rather their necessary complement, but you can learn new things from your conversation partners, whether it is expanding your vocabulary or improving your grammar.
The main purpose of a språkcafé is to be a playground, a safe and comfortable place where you can activate your passive knowledge so that you can start speaking Swedish when you feel ready in everyday situations.
How does an online språkcafé differ from språkcafés in churches, libraries, etc.?
Online språkcafé takes place via online platforms such as MS Teams or Zoom, and yes, the communication online is a little different than in “real life”.
However, this does not have to affect your speaking skills in a negative way: since non-verbal communication is somewhat limited in online interaction, communication is more focused on the verbal component which benefits our learning to speak.
Who do I talk to at the språkcafé?
You will be speaking with other participants who came to develop their speaking skills just like you. Some of them will be at your level, some above and some below. The groups consist of up to 3 participants or sometimes it is pairs so everyone gets the maximum possible speaking time.
I do my best to create a pleasant and motivating environment for everyone and I visit the groups and participate in conversations to see the actual situation "on the ground" so I can develop the språkcafé further.
Can I learn Swedish by talking to others who are also still learning it?
Absolutely! I learned Swedish mostly from those who were still learning it. By talking to those who were ahead of me, I gained new vocabulary and improved my grammar.
And talking to beginners also helped a lot!
-
It improves pronunciation because we tend to speak more clearly to those who are not yet at our level and we speak more correctly when in the role of a teacher. Also, beginners tend to ask questions, which is a good way to renew old and acquire new knowledge.
Will someone correct my mistakes when I speak?
It mainly depends on what you communicate to your conversation partners. You can politely ask them to do that for you, but I advise you not to go overboard with it because frequent correcting blocks the conversation, and in that way interferes with achieving fluency.
In my experience, it is far better to focus on conveying the information, in any way one is able at the moment, rather than saying things correctly. My Swedish, for example, stagnated for years because I was afraid of saying something wrong. When I finally overcame the fear of making mistakes and started using the language as best I could, I went from B1 to C1 level in less than a year.
Without starting to speak incorrectly, it is almost impossible to start speaking correctly. So relax and enjoy your time at the språkcafé, you will gradually get better over time. 🙂
How do I get the most out of a språkcafé...? 🙄
Make an effort! ⭐️
Språkcafes are not just about Swedish, our interaction with others plays a big role in it. The more effort you put in, the more you will get out of it.
-
Be fun, be yourself, be curious, be open and positive.
-
Be creative and proactive, make it your personal goal to create an atmosphere for others as comfortable and motivating as possible.
-
Listen to others but also share your opinions and experiences.
-
Appreciate every opportunity to talk to another person, no matter what their level of Swedish is. Pronounce as well as you can and keep the conversation lively!
Your positive attitude and effort will motivate others to do their best too! ⭐️
How do I stop getting weekly invitations?
Just send us an email to onlinesprakcafe@gmail.com or contact us through our contact form with the text: I would like to unsubscribe. You can join again whenever you want! You're always welcome!
Welcome to... 🙂
Be patient, give it time ⌛️
If it is your first time at the språkcafé, stay for at least an hour. We usually change groups after 30-45 minutes, so you have a chance to be part of more conversation groups, which can increase the quality of your experience.
Also, if it wasn't exactly what you expected the first time, don't give up. Come again, at least once. Another time you might have a completely different experience that will motivate you to keep coming and practicing.
Are there any other online språkcafés?
Yes, here are the ones I know of (click on the image to go to the website):
