About the Swedish School in Ottawa

 

Every Saturday morning 9.30-12.00 during the school year a group of students ages 4 to 14 meet to learn to understand, speak and read the Swedish language. They meet at Hopewell Elementary School in Old Ottawa South.

 

The ability to understand, speak and read Swedish varies a lot among the students. It is therefore important to have an instructor who is patient and creative, as well as having access to interesting books, games and audio-visual means.

 

The Swedish School strives to create a stimulating and fun environment for the students. We want them to feel welcome and like to come to our school every Saturday morning. We have had up to 22 students registered at one time. Our instructors are all born in Sweden and speak Swedish fluently. They have varied educational background and working experience. They often have children of their own in the class. A parent volunteer assists the teacher every  time.

 

The Swedish language class is administered by Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) under their International Languages Program.

 

BACKGROUND 
In December 2007, Ingela Strömberg, a devoted Swede and a devoted Mormor (grandmother) of 2 boys living in Ottawa, contacted the parents of the children participating in the Nordic Society’s Lucia choir to inquire about their interest in having their children attending a Swedish language school in Ottawa. 13 families expressed an interest right away.

 

The first parent meeting took place on February 11, 2008. A working group with seven parents were formed. They met at Ingela’s house and worked tirelessly all spring to get a Swedish school going. They involved Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB), the International Languages Program, and with their help we were able to start the Swedish language program in September 2008 at Hopewell Elementary School located in Old Ottawa South.

 

The last 20 years there had been no Swedish classes offered to children living in Ottawa. The working Group therefore had to start from the beginning to form a Swedish school in Ottawa. Toronto has since years a lively Swedish community with six Swedish schools. Staff members of “Svenska Skolan i Toronto” (the Swedish School in Toronto), have been very helpful by sharing their lengthy experience with the Ottawa group.