Well the waiting has officially begun for the results of my C test with SFI.  I sat the majority of the test last week with the oral section yesterday so now we wait.  If I understood correctly I  should be able to get the results next week by going in to the office on Thursday or Friday.
I think it went pretty well, although I feel I rushed the written section and should have probably done that much better.  Last night three of us sat down to do the oral test together – the other two people sitting the D exam and me the C exam which seemed a little unfair.  We were given topics to discuss which was fine and I think it went OK, hard to know really as the teacher was listening in on the side while doing many other things so not sure hat she did and didn’t hear!  We were talking for about an hour though so hopefully something was said correctly!
I now am being entered for the D exam in a few weeks time, even though I don’t know if I passed the C exam or not! Â I am not looking forward to it but the course ends in a few weeks time so I want to try and have it all finished by then.
I really like SFI, in principle.  The idea of giving immigrants to Sweden free education in the language is brilliant and I am sure if you attend the day courses you get a lot out of it and learn a ton.  If doing the evening course though it is a slightly different situation.  Basically for me it has been little more than an opportunity to go and talk some Swedish once a week.  This of course has been valuable experience and has built up my confidence and vocabulary a treat and is by far better than nothing but it is hard to feel like you are getting anywhere when the teachers change every few weeks.  Just as one teacher is getting to know you and your abilities another one comes in and everything changes again – if you are anything like me speaking a new language to new people is terrifying so every time there is a new face I take a few steps back and therefore their assessment of me varies madly!
I understand that the teachers do the evening course on a  rotation as it is extra to their daily job at the SFI so that is fair enough but it is a little disconcerting for the students, in my opinion.  Still the teachers at the SFI in Umeå are all excellent, very different in style and approach but excellent and I really cannot fault them.
Despite my grumbling about the lack of consistency (I mainly mention it so often to warn others that it happens as I had no clue at all what was going on for a long time!)  it has been a good experience and I would urge anyone who has not taken a course and does not speak Swedish as their first language to give it a go – you really do have nothing to lose at the end of the day.
Keep your fingers crossed for me through all these exams, I will of course keep you updated with information as I get it!
In the meantime I just want to say to everyone in Brännsbollscuppen this weekend – LYCKA TILL!  I hope the fore-casted rain stays away!
Vi ses!
