Advice on sweden gratefully apprec!

[DavidJT]

Here's a few pointers where you could start learning some Swedish...

Not sure if you are near a large city, but if so I would recommend doing an evening course. We use this series of books at my course.
They are expensive to but maybe downloadable... Google "Nya Mål" (= New Goals)

Listen to Swedish Radio in slightly easier Swedish for non-native Swedish speakers...http://sverigesradio.se/sida/default.aspx?programid=493 (this is for improvers, not beginners though)

Once you are over there, the national adult education colleges (Folkuniversitetet) do a good range of courses http://www.folkuniversitetet.se/Om-Folkuniversitetet/In-English/
Actually just found out you can study remotely by Skype...http://www.folkuniversitetet.se/Om-Folkuniversitetet/In-English/Swedish-courses/Swedish-Courses-On-Line/

Lycka till! (Good Luck)

 

[forestwalker]

One thing is became clearer i didnt know was the language that although most are fluent its important to be able to speak it. i suppose its only right though as why would i want to speak a none native language in my country so it makes sense to learn well thanks.

If you wanted tio live in e.g. Uppsala (university town) and work for the uni you could go for years with only the most rudimentary Swedish. Out in the country, working in a trade, you will need Swedish. Around here we have "a lot" of Dutch people settling, but AFAICT they all learn Swedish before long.

 

[DavidJT]

I heard about lots of Dutch people emigrating to Sweden, interesting.
I agree with Forestwalker, you can get by in English. However, to really integrate I think you need to learn some Swedish.

 

[retired member need4wilderness]

Thanks david , forest walker & evry one given this primitive new member knowledge all listened to & absorbed .

 

[Viking]

The Swedish course is free through SFI, if you finish the tests in a certain time you can get a quite good taxfree bonus.

 

[spandit]

Regarding the language. Dutch is fairly similar to German, which bears some resemblance to Swedish and Norwegian. Danish, as mentioned, is similar but Finnish (Suomi) is from a completely different root - I think it's closer to Hungarian.

Also bear in mind that not all Swedish women are the 6'+ blonde beauties we've been led to believe...

...some of them are barely 5'10"

I wish you luck. Let us know how you get on!