Svenska skolan för språk och kultur - new Swedish School in the Washington Metropolitan area

Posted by Susanna at 10:38 AM, Oct 3, 2009 (Comments)

Category: People

Carina Olsson and Lena Unander-Scharin

IN SEPTEMBER, Carina Olsson and Lena Unander-Scharin started a new Swedish school in the Washington area. Called "Svenska skolan för språk och kultur (The Swedish School for Language and Culture)," it is located in the northern Virginia area, close to the Beltway.

"WE HAVE worked together for almost eight years, and we have a mutual commitment to education," says Lena.

ADDITIONALLY, the two educators have been influenced by Maria Borgström, who is in charge of Intercultural Pedagogic at Södertörns Högskola (Södertörn University). Borgström advocates, not just the language, but also intercultural identity.

"I FEEL THAT as a professional, I got an extended education with Borgström," adds Lena. "It is our vision it is important in language education that the students learn. But at the same time they should be able to enjoy the process of learning, and their parents should be involved."

  THE SCHOOL HAS classes on Saturday mornings, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The classes end with a 30-minute gathering at 12 noon, with singing, cultural activities and games, where the parents and siblings are welcome to participate. "Language and cultural identity are interchangeable, and Swedish traditions such as Santa Lucia will be celebrated," Carina says.

"WE ALREADY have a good group of students between the ages of 6 to 18 years, and gradually we expect more students to enroll at the school. We have also attracted excellent teachers, who will give continuity in the education, which is critical for the different age groups," says Lena.

THERE ARE about 4,000 Swedes or Swedish-speaking people in the metropolitan Washington area, and the need or demand for Swedish language instruction is prevalent throughout the area as Swedes, their children and descendants of Swedish immigrants seek to connect to their ancestral culture.

BOTH CARINA AND LENA emphasize the parental involvement in the process of learning Swedish. "The process is as important as the result." So far there are four teachers, and the parents are very involved. Next year, the goal is to start a pre-school class, however no adult classes are planned. Currently, the school also offers private lessons for both Swedish-speaking students and people who want to learn Swedish as a foreign language. These private lessons are offered for both children and adults, individually or in small groups.

IN ADDITION to Swedish language, other subjects are being taught, including social studies, history and geography. Additionally, there are outdoors activities.

LENA IS responsible for the curriculum. "I am in touch with teachers in Sweden to get advice on good books and teaching material," she says. Lena and Carina also continue to attend education conferences in the United States, and they have exchanges with their peers and colleagues who are engaged in Swedish language education in the United States.

"CHILDREN USUALLY don't want to be different, and language schools tend to be on Saturdays when other children are off. But when they realize that other children in the area speak Swedish, or learn Swedish, then it is easier for them," says Carina.

BOTH LENA AND CARINA have lived in the Washington area for a long time. Carina came to the area in 1986, and Lena about 10 years ago. Lena is an elementary teacher, and she taught Swedish as a second language in Rinkeby and Husby, outside Stockholm, and in the Stockholm area of Kungsholmen. She has a long pedagogic experience with children from multilingual background. She has also been active teaching Swedish in the Washington area the last eight years.

CARINA HAS a bachelor's degree (fil. kand. in Swedish) in linguistics and has studied Spanish. She lived with her American husband in Sweden for a several years, which gave her a good insight how Swedish is being taught to immigrants there. Carina has worked at the International Center at Georgetown University for 10 years.

THE SVENSKA SKOLVERKET, the Swedish school authority, financially supports Swedish education abroad, with some requirements. For instance the support doesn't come until after one year and an evaluation. The authority also requires that at least one parent of each student enrolled is a Swedish citizen.

"IT IS A LOT of work, but very interesting and challenging to start something like this from the beginning," says Carina.

FOR MORE information about the school, visit www.swedishlanguageschool.com.

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