9-Week Language Courses

Language class registration opens the season before a term starts. Registration for fall classes opens in June, winter classes in September, spring classes in December and summer classes in March.

Students may register for classes online or by calling 612-871-4907.

Registration is confirmed upon receipt of payment. If ASI cancels a class, registrants will be notified at least three days in advance and fully refunded. For nine-week courses, students may change/switch class sessions without any penalty during the first week of class.

Early-Bird Discount

An $10 early-bird discount  is applied if participants register at least one week before the start of a term. This discount may be applied to both Member and non-Member prices.

Become an ASI Member today

Check the class description to determine what text you need. Most textbook-based classes use the series Rivstart (A1/A2 and B1/B2) textbook and workbook (övningsbok).

A few classes use the textbook Mål 1, Nybörjarsvenska, or På svenska 2. 

Finnish classes use the textbook series Suomen Mestari (1, 2, 3) and occasionally children’s books or abridged novels. 

Textbooks, novels, and Kort Kurs 1 & 2 course packets can be purchased through the ASI Museum Store.

The best way to get a sense of the level of each class is to look at the textbook chapter number the class is currently in.  
 
Beginning classes include Swedish and Finnish classes start with chapter 1 of a textbook.  
 
Continuing Beginning classes include Swedish classes in chapters 2 through 10 of Rivstart A1/A2 or Mål 1 and Finnish classes using Suomen Mestari 1.  
 
Intermediate classes include any Swedish classes in chapters 10 through 20 of Rivstart A1/A2 or På Svenska 2 and Finnish classes using Suomen Mestari 2.  
 
Advanced classes are any Swedish classes beyond Rivstart A1/A2, including Rivstart B1/B2 classes, Swedish literature classes, and some Swedish conversation classes and Finnish classes that use Suomen Mestari 3 or are literature based.   

ASI classes use the latest edition of Rivstart (2:a upplagan, 2nd edition). The Rivstart series is written entirely in Swedish.

Rivstart has additional practice materials that can be accessed online. These materials include:

• Ljudfiler: audio files for listening exercises in the textbook
• Uttal: audio files for pronunciation sections in the textbook
• Övningsbok facit: answer key for exercises in the workbook
• Textbok facit: answer key for exercises in the textbook
• Ordlista engelska: a vocabulary list in English by chapter

• Hörförståelsetexter: listening comprehension texts
• Verblista: a verb list with the various forms of verbs in Swedish
• Webbövningar: extra online exercises by chapter (kapitel)
• Framstegstester: chapter review tests
• Framstegsteter facit: answer key for the chapter review tests

To access these materials, students need to create a free Natur och Kultur (the textbook publisher) account. For detailed instructions on how to create your account, please email Language Programs Coordinator Liz Stopka ..

Virtual classes meet on the Zoom platform. Students will receive the Zoom link on the Friday before their class starts.

In-person classes meet in either Classroom A or B on the Lower Level of the Turnblad Mansion. Check in at the front desk on the first day of class to find out which classroom to go to.

Outside the language classrooms, ASI maintains Lilla bibliotek, a little free library of Swedish and Finnish books and resources. Please feel free to borrow any materials and return them when finished.

To donate materials to Lilla bibliotek, please email Language Programs Coordinator Liz Stopka.