Are you ready to learn Swedish, Norwegian or Danish in 2015?

Are you ready to learn a Scandinavian Language in the new year?

The Center for Scandinavian Studies at North Park University, 3225 West Foster Avenue Chicago, IL 60625-4895, offers Scandinavian Language Classes in Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish.

Readers, if you know of additional locations around the USA, Canada or Scandinavia where Scandinavian Languages are taught, please share your stories and recommendations with The Danish Pioneer Newspaper at dpioneer@aol.com.

These popular courses (non-credit) at North Park University in Chicago are primarily conversational language classes for adults who are motivated to learn the language for professional or personal reasons. Younger students are also invited to attend.

Swedish on Tuesdays: The Swedish Classes start Tuesday, January 13, 2015, and will be held in North Park University’s Magnuson Campus Center, room 9. The Beginning Swedish Course runs on Tuesdays from 7 p.m. to 8:20 p.m. and the Advanced Swedish Class runs on Tuesdays from 8:30 p.m. to 9:50 p.m. The instructor is Sven-Olof Peterson.

Norwegian on Wednesdays: The Norwegian Classes start Wednesday, January 14, 2015, and will be held in North Park University’s Magnuson Campus Center, room 9. The Beginning Norwegian Class is held Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 7:50 p.m. The Advanced Norwegian Class is held Wednesdays from 8:00 p.m. to 9:20 p.m. The instructor is Kari Diesen-Dahl.

Danish on Thursdays: The Danish Classes start Thursday, January 15, 2015, and will be held in North Park University’s Magnuson Campus Center, room 9. The Beginning Danish Courses are held Thursdays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:20 p.m. The Advanced Danish Classes are held Thursdays from 8:30 p.m. to 9:50 p.m. The instructor is Johannes Smits.

Registration: Courses cost $200, plus materials (where applicable), and meet for 12 weeks. Pre-registration is not necessary, simply register and pay at the first class session of the term. Cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover are accepted; tuition for non-credit classes is non-refundable.

Course Levels: North Park offers two course levels per language: beginning and advanced. Students are invited to register for whichever level they find most appropriate. Many students find it helpful to take a beginning level course several times before moving on to an advanced level course. As there is no level identified as “intermediate,” students may repeat the beginning level or move on to the advanced level as they see fit. Ultimately, course content will be driven by the aptitude of students in each class.

Location: The classes will be held in North Park University’s Magnuson Campus Center, room 9. Please see the campus map for location: http://www.northpark.edu/About/Locations/North-Park-Campus-Map

Information: Please contact Karin Andersson, program coordinator, via email at kmandersson@northpark.edu or by phone at (773) 244-5592 for more information.

Swedish classes also offered at Swedish American Museum in Chicago, starting January 6 – 7, 2015

The Swedish American Museum, 5211 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60640, will begin Swedish language classes in four skill levels on Tuesday, January 6, and Wednesday, January 7.

The 15-week terms consist of 90-minute lessons taught by experienced native Swedish speakers.

The levels are: Beginners I, Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m., for individuals who have no knowledge of the Swedish language. Students will learn fundamentals of basic grammar, vocabulary, conversation, Swedish culture and traditions.

Beginners II, Tuesdays from 8 to 9:30 p.m., for individuals who have some knowledge of basic grammar and vocabulary. Emphasis will be on vocabulary, grammar and spoken Swedish.

Intermediate, Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m., for individuals who have working knowledge of Swedish, including elementary conversation and reading. Classes cover advanced grammar, vocabulary and conversation, and will be held in Swedish and English.

Conversation/Advanced, Wednesdays from 8 to 9:30 p.m., for individuals who have mastered skills at the intermediate level and want to practice the Swedish language. Classes, held in Swedish, will focus on advanced conversation, discussions, reading, and comparisons of Swedish and American culture and traditions.

Tuition for each level is $205 for Museum members and $240 for non-members. Books are not included in tuition. An application may be downloaded from the web site, www.SwedishAmericanMuseum.org. Payment should be enclosed with the application and mailed to the Museum. Payment also may be made online.

Eva May, the instructor for both Beginners levels, was born in Sweden and has lived in Chicago since 1992. She has a bachelor’s degree in fashion design and participates each year in about 40 Midwest art shows where she sells her handmade accessories and wall art.

Peter Nilsson, instructor for the Intermediate and Advanced levels, was born in Stockholm, Sweden. After moving to Texas, he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry, graduating magna cum laude. He moved to Chicago in the mid-1990s, and since 2000 has taught Swedish and translating on a private basis. He also has taught at North Park University.

About the Swedish American Museum: Founded in 1976, the Swedish American Museum is a not-for-profit educational center that interprets the immigrant experience for children and adults, and promotes an appreciation of contemporary Swedish-American culture.  The Museum is located at 5211 N. Clark Street in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood and is open seven days a week.  For information on events and admission fees, visit our website at www.SwedishAmericanMuseum.org.