Sweden Compulsory School English Syllabus

English is a compulsory subject in Swedish compulsory schools, starting from a young age. The curriculum emphasizes developing communicative skills, including listening, reading, speaking, and writing, as well as cultural understanding and language awareness. Students are expected to develop fluency and adapt their language to different situations and audiences. The curriculum also encourages students to develop plurilingualism, where skills in different languages interact and support each other. National tests are administered in English at the end of Year 9 to assess student achievement.

Key Aspects of the Curriculum

• Communication: The curriculum focuses on developing all-round communicative skills, covering both reception (understanding spoken language and texts) and production/interaction (expressing oneself and interacting with others in speech and writing).
• Language Strategies: Students are taught different language strategies to support communication and problem-solving when language skills are inadequate.
• Cultural Understanding: Students learn about living conditions, social issues, and cultural features in different English-speaking contexts around the world.
• Plurilingualism: The curriculum promotes plurilingualism, encouraging students to use their skills in different languages to support each other.
• Learning by Discovery: The curriculum recommends learning by discovery approaches and pupil-centered methods.

Grading (Example from Year 9)

The Swedish grading system uses a six-point scale (A-F), with A being the highest grade. An example of the criteria for an A grade in English at the end of Year 9 includes demonstrating comprehension of spoken and written English, using varied vocabulary and grammar, and effectively communicating in different situations.