Signing up for SFI and the first week
From the municipality's intake meeting to the first classroom questions — placement, study path, timetable, and how to ask a teacher to slow down without feeling stupid.
SFI is free and run by your municipality. You apply through the kommun, do a short placement interview (kartläggning), and are put on a study path and course. Classes run mornings, afternoons or evenings, and you can combine them with work. This deck follows one learner from the intake desk through the first week — including the sentences you need when you don't understand, which is the whole point of being there.
- 1
Jag vill anmäla mig till sfi.
I'd like to sign up for SFI.
Tip: 'anmäla sig till' = sign up for.
- 2
Är du folkbokförd i den här kommunen?
Are you registered in this municipality?
Tip: 'folkbokförd' = registered as resident — the requirement.
- 3
Ja, sedan mars.
Yes, since March.
Tip: 'sedan' + month = since.
- 4
Hur många år gick du i skolan i ditt hemland?
How many years did you go to school in your home country?
Tip: Decides your study path.
- 5
Tolv år, och sedan tre på universitetet.
Twelve years, and then three at university.
Tip: 'på universitetet' = at university.
- 6
Då hamnar du på studieväg tre.
Then you'll be on study path three.
Tip: 'hamna på' = end up on/in.
- 7
Jobbar du på dagarna?
Do you work during the day?
Tip: 'på dagarna' = in the daytime.
- 8
Ja, så kvällskurs skulle passa bäst.
Yes, so evening classes would be best.
Tip: 'passa bäst' = suit best.
- 9
Du får ett startdatum via mejl.
You'll get a start date by email.
Tip: 'via mejl' = by email.
- 10
Välkomna, allihop. Jag heter Lena.
Welcome, everyone. My name is Lena.
Tip: 'Välkomna' plural; 'allihop' = everyone.
- 11
Vi tar en runda och presenterar oss.
Let's go round and introduce ourselves.
Tip: 'ta en runda' = go round the room.
- 12
Jag heter Daniel och jag kommer från Brasilien.
My name is Daniel and I'm from Brazil.
Tip: 'komma från' = be from.
- 13
Jag har varit i Sverige i ett halvår.
I've been in Sweden for six months.
Tip: 'ett halvår' = six months, more natural than 'sex månader'.
- 14
Slå upp sidan åtta i boken.
Open your books to page eight.
Tip: 'slå upp' = open to/look up.
- 15
Förlåt, kan du säga det igen?
Sorry, could you say that again?
Tip: The sentence you'll use most.
- 16
Kan du prata lite långsammare?
Could you speak a bit more slowly?
Tip: 'långsammare' = more slowly.
- 17
Vad betyder 'ordföljd'?
What does 'ordföljd' mean?
Tip: Word order — the thing SFI is obsessed with, for good reason.
- 18
Det betyder ordningen på orden i en mening.
It means the order of the words in a sentence.
Tip: 'en mening' = a sentence.
- 19
Hur stavar man det?
How do you spell that?
Tip: 'man' = generic you.
- 20
Jobba två och två i tio minuter.
Work in pairs for ten minutes.
Tip: 'två och två' = in pairs.
- 21
Ska jag börja?
Shall I start?
Tip: Offer, don't wait.
- 22
Är det här rätt?
Is this right?
Tip: 'rätt' = right/correct.
- 23
Nästan — verbet kommer på andra plats.
Almost — the verb comes second.
Tip: V2 word order: the verb is always the second element.
- 24
Är det läxa till torsdag?
Is there homework for Thursday?
Tip: 'till torsdag' = for Thursday.
- 25
Ja, övning tre och fyra.
Yes, exercises three and four.
Tip: Short answer.
- 26
Jag kan inte komma på måndag — jag jobbar.
I can't come on Monday — I'm working.
Tip: Tell them; attendance is tracked.
- 27
Skicka bara ett meddelande.
Just send me a message.
Tip: 'ett meddelande' = a message.
- 28
När är nationella provet?
When is the national test?
Tip: End of courses B, C and D.
- 29
I slutet av kursen — ni får veta det i god tid.
At the end of the course — you'll get plenty of warning.
Tip: 'i god tid' = in good time.
- 30
Jag förstod nästan allt idag.
I understood almost everything today.
Tip: 'förstod' = past of förstå.