Closing date
for applicatio
n
15.5
Swedish
for Foreigners
Sfi-Åland
What is Sfi?
Sfi is a labour market
trai­ning scheme avail­
able for immigrant job
seekers who need to
improve their Swe­dish.
The courses are funded
by the Government of
Åland (Department of Edu­
cation and Cul­ture).
Intensive
courses in
Swedish for
Immigrants
Who can study Sfi?
Admission requirements: You must be a
resident on Åland, read and write the Latin
alphabet, be covered by the Finnish social
security sys­tem (FPA), and be registered as
a job seeker at Ams (the Åland Job Centre).
Course content
The course focus is on language and com­
munication. It includes all the four lan­gu­
age skills of rea­ding, liste­ning, spea­king
and writing. Cul­ture is an integral part of
the programme.
Time and location
The courses are held at Medis Institute of
Adult Education (opposite the city lib­rary)
Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. with a
one hour lunch break.
Free of charge
The tuition and course li­
te­rature is free of charge,
but we recommend that
the stu­dents bring their
own dictionary.
Accident insurance is pro­
vided by the school.
Compulsory attendance
The same rules apply on the course as at
work places on Åland. Attendance is com­
pulsory. Stu­dents may not be absent with­
out per­mis­sion or with­out an accep­table
reason (ill­ness).
Application and admission
Admission to the courses is granted by Ams
in coope­ration with Medis. When you are
re­gistered as a job seeker you need to fill an
application form at Ams. The form can also
be downloaded from www.ams.ax.
Online application is not available.
There is a placement test at Medis for new
students.
More information
Please contact Ann Westerlund,
e-mail [email protected].
Levels
The Sfi courses are based on the European Framework of Reference for Languages.
The courses are available at the following levels (subject to sufficient demand):
A1
17.8–27.10.2017
A2
8.8.2017–16.1.2018
B1.1
6.9.2017–16.2.2018
×× For beginners, 10 weeks.
×× Basic level, 20 weeks.
×× The basics of the
Swedish language.
×× Entry requirement: Level A1. ×× Entry requirement: Level A2.
×× No previous knowledge
of Swedish is necessary.
×× After course A1 there is
a final test.
×× Intermediate level, 20 weeks.
×× Includes work practice
(3 weeks).
×× Includes work practice
(4 weeks).
×× After course A2, you can
parti­cipate in the Natio­nal
Language Proficiency test
(Allmänna språk­examen),
basic level.
×× After course B1.1, you can
parti­cipate in the Natio­nal
Langu­age Proficiency test
(Allmänna språkexamen),
intermediate level.
The European Framework of Reference for Languages
Basic user - A1
Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic
phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can intro­
duce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about
personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and
things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person
talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
Closing date
for applicatio
n
15.5
Basic user - A2
Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate
relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geo­graphy, employ­
ment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of
information on fami­liar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her back­
ground, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
Independent user - B1
Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters re­gu­larly en­countered
in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situ­ations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area
where the lan­guage is spo­ken. Can pro­duce sim­ple con­nected text on to­pics which are fa­miliar or of
per­sonal inte­rest. Can de­scribe ex­pe­riences and events, dreams, hopes and am­bi­tions and brie­fly
give rea­sons and ex­plana­tions for opi­nions and plans.
Mailing address:
Styrmansgatan 1
22100 Mariehamn
Telephone: 018-531620.
The reception is open
weekdays 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Before you apply to Sfi
Do not resign from your job until your place on the course has been confirmed!
Ask the Police:
Do I have the required residence permit?
Strandgatan 27, Mariehamn | phone 527100 | www.polis.ax | [email protected]
Ask FPA (Folkpensionsanstalten):
Am I covered by the Finnish residence-based
social security scheme?
Nygatan 7A, Mariehamn | phone 0206358002 | www.fpa.fi
Ask Ams (Ålands arbetsmarknads- och studieservicemyndighet):
Am I entitled to financial aid during the course?
Elverksgatan 5, Mariehamn | phone 25000 | www.ams.ax
New! Ask Ams (Ålands arbetsmarknads- och studieservicemyndighet):
How do I apply to the course?
Elverksgatan 5, Mariehamn | phone 25000 | www.ams.ax
General courses in Swedish
Medis also arranges so-called general courses in Swedish, which are not part of the Sfi
system. These courses are a good alternative if you are not able to study Sfi. Classes are
held once or twice a week, usually in the evenings. General courses are offered on a first
come, first served basis and a fee is charged.
For more information, see the Medis course catalogue.