I’m Sara, a passionate educator with a deep love for teaching Swedish as a Second Language. With a master’s degree in this field and a bachelor’s in Pedagogy, my journey in education has been very rewarding. In 2009, after nearly a decade of teaching at Folkuniversitetet, I felt inspired to leap and founded The Swedish Teacher. I wanted to try something new at that time—teaching a language via video chat. It was an exciting challenge, and I’m proud to say it has opened up a whole new world of possibilities in language education.
Today, I split my time between The Swedish Teacher i Uppsala AB and Uppsala University, where I work as an assistant professor in Swedish as a Second Language. My academic journey began at Uppsala University, where I studied Linguistics, Swedish as a Second Language, Philosophy, and Pedagogy. I have a particular interest in language testing and am a certified SWEDEX examiner, trained in evaluating the Swedish language skills of medical staff. In my role at Uppsala University, I also contribute to creating test material.
I’ve been teaching it since 2001, and over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with a wide range of students, from individuals to organizations like Uppsala University Hospital, Vattenfall, Göteborgsoperan, Fresenius Kabi, Forsen, Brekke & Strand Akustik AB and many more. Helping students prepare for their Tisus and sfi-tests has been incredibly fulfilling, as I enjoy guiding them through these important milestones.
I also have a soft spot for teaching Swedish to students with Swedish heritage. I’ve collaborated with the excellent Swedish genealogist Jean Erickson Burton, AG, to translate letters from Swedish immigrants in the USA and Canada. This project has connected me deeply to the stories and histories of so many families. I’ve also enjoyed working with actors and musicians on pronunciation and voice coaching, which adds a creative flair to my teaching.
Having lived abroad for over ten years, I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges of adapting to a new culture. This experience has enriched my teaching, giving me a unique perspective and a deeper empathy for my students. Every day, I’m reminded of why I love what I do—helping others connect with the Swedish language and culture in meaningful ways.
