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Empowering Language Learning with 20+ Years of Expertise
Veronica Gelfgren
Having now put my active teaching years behind me, I decided that I wanted to share my teaching materials with other teachers. I am currently taking inventory of the collection of materials I created over the years and have begun integrating them into my Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) materials database.
Over the more than 20 years I have spent teaching Swedish, English, and Finnish to non- native speakers, I have specialized in both executive business language training, language teaching tailored for migrants as well as tutoring children and teens, since 1999 as entrepreneur and business owner.
I also developed the content for several language-focused platforms and phone applications.
The Language Menu
The Language Menu is a free educational resource hub dedicated to language learning and teaching. The website provides a wide range of tools, information, and resources for language teachers, students, and self-learners alike. The platform allows you to create personalized worksheets utilizing 24 different tools, as well as multilingual worksheets with graphics available in over 50 languages. The Language Menu also offers interactive online exercises that are easily shared on personal websites, blogs, and social media platforms.
The comprehensive collection aims to make language acquisition engaging, effective, and accessible for classroom instruction and independent study.
Check site >Vårdsvenska
Swedish for Healthcare Personnel
Vårdsvenska is a comprehensive resource dedicated to healthcare Swedish language education in Finland. The website offers specialized language training programs, materials, and tools designed specifically for healthcare professionals who need to develop Swedish language skills for medical contexts. With practical resources focused on medical terminology, patient communication, and healthcare-specific scenarios, Vårdsvenska bridges the language gap for healthcare workers in Finland's bilingual healthcare system. The site supports both individual learners and healthcare organizations in meeting Swedish language requirements and improving patient care through effective Swedish language communication in medical settings.
Check site >
Svenska i Finland
Svenska i Finland is a dedicated online resource for learning Swedish in the Finnish context. The phoneapp offers comprehensive language learning vocabulary specifically tailored to Finnish speakers and those living in Finland who wish to learn Swedish. With practical resources addressing the unique aspects of Finland-Swedish culture and language, the app provides learners with engaging content, exercises, and cultural insights. Svenska i Finland supports various proficiency levels and learning goals, whether you're studying Swedish for personal interest, professional advancement, or to better navigate Finland's bilingual society. The app serves as a valuable bridge to Finland's Swedish-speaking communities and heritage.
Check site >Svenska Steg
The project aims to empower young migrants in the capital area of Finland, primarily Arabic speakers, by providing free Swedish language workshops in a relaxed and informal setting. These workshops will focus on improving oral communication skills and fostering cultural integration. Free downloadable Swedish materials can be found on the website.
Check site >
Teaching style
My teaching model can be summarized as:
IMPACT – Intuitive Model Proactively Amalgamating Current Topics
My method has been to use:
Topic based Vocabulary, Vocabulary based Grammar, Association based Word Classes, Hands-on Exercises and Anywhere site training.
The benefits I have experienced are lessons that become:
Fully conversational based, Learner engaging, Situationally orientated, Learning through laughter and with Highly topical material.
My aim has been to cater to the needs of learners of all ages, from beginners through intermediates. This way I have incorporated a wide range of images, articles, and tangible objects into my teaching, creating engaging and dynamic learning experiences. Often, when possible, I have moved lessons beyond the traditional classroom environment, immersing students in authentic, real-life scenarios. Although not relying on textbooks, I sought to customize each course to address the specific requirements and interests of the learners, with most of the instructions structured around topical themes. To support this tailored approach, I developed extensive, high-quality content using various online tools and resources. My classes prioritized communication skills, empowering learners to confidently engage in their chosen language while enjoying the learning process.
External financing
I have received domestic funding for various materials development initiatives, primarily from Svenska Kulturfonden. These projects include the development of a mobile application designed for learning the Swedish language as spoken in Finland.
Additionally, I was granted funds from Svenska Kulturfonden to facilitate Swedish language lessons aimed at children aged 3–6 of immigrant descent in Helsinki, as well as to support Swedish training for foreign adults residing in the region.
Further funding from Svenska Kulturfonden enabled materials dedicated to immigrants studying the Swedish spoken in Finland, along with specialized Swedish-language materials specifically tailored for Arabic-speaking residents in Finland.
On an international level, I have been actively engaged in EU-funded projects like Erasmus+, Leonardo da Vinci, Grundtvig, Transfer of Innovation and NordPlus projects since 2008, participating in over 60 distinct initiatives in roles as both partner and coordinator. Detailed information on these funded projects is available here (the page where the logos of the projects are and they should be linked to the project info on TA’s website)
I was born in Finland with Swedish as native language, the minority language spoken by approximately 5% of the population. I have studied and worked internationally in Antwerp, Belgium; Boston, USA; Perth and Sydney, Australia; Stockholm, Sweden and Andorra la Vella, Andorra. Currently, I live in Vilamoura, Portugal, where I operate my second company, TropicalAstral Lda that specializes in educational services and social media management for enterprises. I am also the founder of Learnmera Oy a language school and translation company based in Helsinki, Finland.
Both companies primarily address the linguistic needs of organizations while also providing language instruction and cultural training tailored specifically for expatriates and their families.