SWEDISH COURSES

THE SWEDISH LANGUAGE: GATEWAY TO YOUR FUTURE

Welcome on behalf of the Hungarian Institute!

If you wish to learn Hungarian you are in right place. We have created the world's most Complete Hungarian Master Course to take you from absolute beginner to native speaker in 30 days. In this section you will find all the information and answers you need about learning Hungarian, such as: the best learning method, reasons to learn this language, the costs associated, the difficulty spikes to watch out for, how to improve your prior skills if you are stuck in a plateau, as well as the differences and similarities to other commonly spoken languages.

First of all you should know that Hungarian, known as "Magyar" in its native form, is a language that stands out as a fascinating anomaly in Europe. It belongs to the Uralic language family, a rare classification that sets it apart from the Indo-European languages dominating the continent. Hungarian is primarily spoken in Hungary, where it is the official language, but it also has speakers in neighbouring countries such as Romania, Slovakia, Serbia and Ukraine, as well as in diaspora communities worldwide. With approximately 13 million speakers, Hungarian is the largest and most widely spoken Uralic language. Unlike its Indo-European neighbors, Hungarian shares linguistic roots with Finnish and Estonian. However, these two languages are not mutually intelligible with Hungarian due to significant divergences over thousands of years.

Hungarian is a difficult language to learn. It’s distinctive features can be found in its Vocabulary, Grammar and Pronunciation, which have evolved independently while incorporating influences from Turkish, German, Slavic, and Latin over centuries. The challenge with many learning methods is that they only take you part of the way. Mobile apps are fun and motivating, but they often stay on the surface, giving you basic vocabulary without real depth in grammar or conversation. Live courses offer great interaction with teachers but can be inflexible and expensive, making them difficult to sustain long term. University programs are academically rigorous, but they demand years of commitment and come with high living and tuition costs. Textbooks provide structure and clarity, but they lack immersion and often don't provide the practical information that learners actually need.

The key to success lies in balance: daily bite-sized learning that fits your schedule, combined with structured progression that ensures you don’t just learn random words but actually build up real fluency step by step. You want modern audio so you can tune your ear to Hungarian sounds, interactive exercises so you stay engaged, and clear explanations so you always understand why something works the way it does. Most importantly, you need consistency, because mastery in Hungarian—like in any language—comes from steady, rewarding progress over time.

If you are serious about learning Hungarian, commit to a method that makes you actually speak the language. With the right system, you can go beyond memorised phrases and truly speak, read, and think in Hungarian. The journey is demanding, but the rewards — access to Hungarian literature, cinema, music, history, personal connections and work opportunities — are immense. If you want to really learn Hungarian, the time to start is now, with our Complete Master Course that has been designed to give you nothing less than complete fluency.

NATURAL METHOD TO LEARN SWEDISH

Our language courses are based on the Natural Method, also known as the Natural Approach, developed by linguist Stephen Krashen and language educator Tracy Terrell. This approach focuses on creating an environment that mimics how individuals naturally acquire their first language, emphasizing comprehension, communication, and a stress-free learning experience.

While other language courses rely on rote memorization and drills, a heavy academic approach to grammar, repetitive exercises, expensive and time-consuming formal tutoring sessions or ineffective and shallow phone apps, we will have you gradually build your language skills like a child learning his/her mother tongue.

There are essentially 5 Core Principles in the Natural Method:

1. Comprehensible Input (i+1)
   Learners acquire a language when they are exposed to materials slightly beyond their current level of understanding (represented as i+1). By hearing or reading content they mostly understand, learners can gradually internalize new vocabulary and grammar structures.

2. Focus on Communication
   The Natural Method prioritizes fluency and the ability to communicate over grammatical perfection. Errors are seen as a natural part of the learning process and are not heavily penalised, reducing anxiety and encouraging learners to express themselves.

3. Emotional Element
   Emotional factors like anxiety, motivation and enjoyment greatly influence language acquisition. When learners are in a relaxed state, achieved by removing the anxiety linked to the pressure to produce perfect grammar, it is easier for them to get through the initial phase which is arguably the hardest and where most give up. It is also proven to be easier for the brain to absorb and retain new information if the learner is actually interested in the language and its underlying culture, which is why he have included extensive cultural insights, historical and modern pop culture elements in our language course.

4. Stages of Language Acquisition
   Scholars have identified the following stages in the language acquisition process of young children:

   • Pre-production: The "silent period," where learners focus on listening and understanding without speaking.

   • Early Production: Learners begin using simple words and phrases.

   • Speech Emergence: Learners can construct longer sentences and express ideas more freely.

   • Intermediate Fluency: Learners develop more complex language skills and can engage in meaningful conversations.

   • Advanced Fluency: Learners achieve near-native proficiency.

     The goal of our courses is thus to mimic the natural language acquisition process without overwhelming the learner with long and tedious lessons but ensuring gradual gains so that he/she remains committed to his/her fluency goal. 

5. Meaningful Interaction
   Instead of rote memorization of single words and grammar rules over and over, the Natural Method encourages activities that involve real-world communication to help retain information. This is why we have included storytelling and role-playing scenarios that simulate everyday situations, with exercises that allow the learner to understand his/her current level and thus improve upon specific elements.

EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE

If you are serious about learning Swedish, we recommend that you download the Complete Swedish Master Course.

You will receive all the information available on the website in a convenient portable digital format as well as additional contents: over 15.000 Vocabulary Words and Useful Phrases, in-depth explanations and exercises for all Grammar Rules, exclusive articles with Cultural Insights that you won't in any other textbook so you can amaze your Swedish friends thanks to your knowledge of their country and history.

With a one-time purchase you will also hours of Podcasts to Practice your Swedish listening skills as well as Dialogues with Exercises to achieve your own Swedish Master Certificate. Start speaking Swedish today!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The top 5 reasons to learn the Hungarian language are:

1. It's Fun! Join a Unique Club
   Hungarian is a fascinating and unique language that challenges learners with its distinct sounds, complex grammar, and rich vocabulary. Unlike Indo-European languages, it offers a fresh way of thinking about language structures, making the learning process both exciting and rewarding.  Hungarian is spoken by only 13 million people worldwide, making it one of Europe's more distinctive languages. Learning Hungarian is like joining an exclusive group—few non-Hungarians take on the challenge, which makes it a truly special skill. 

2. Gain a Deeper Understanding of European History and Culture
   Learning Hungarian provides insight into a rich and complex history that is often overlooked in mainstream narratives. Hungary has been shaped by influences from Central Europe, the Ottoman Empire, the Habsburg Monarchy, and beyond. From the Magyar conquest to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the country's role in 20th-century history, Hungary has maintained a strong cultural and linguistic identity.

3. Hungarians Appreciate When You Speak Their Language
   Hungarians take great pride in their language, which has been central to their national identity for centuries. If you make the effort to speak even a few words, locals will greatly appreciate it. Hungarians are known for their hospitality, and a simple "Szia!" (Hello!) or "Köszönöm!" (Thank you!) can make a big difference in how you connect with people.

4. Business Opportunities in a Growing Economy

   Hungary boasts a dynamic and steadily growing economy with expanding opportunities in sectors such as manufacturing, information technology, renewable energy, and logistics. The country offers a strategic location in Central Europe, competitive labor costs, and a supportive environment for foreign investment. With pro-business policies and access to the EU market, Hungary is an attractive destination for entrepreneurs and investors alike. Learning Hungarian can give you a distinct edge when building local partnerships, navigating the business landscape, and establishing a strong presence in the region.

5. Visit Hungary for an Affordable and Unforgettable Experience
   Hungary is an incredible travel destination, offering breathtaking landscapes, historic towns, and world-famous thermal baths—all at a relatively affordable cost compared to Western Europe. The capital, Budapest, is a stunning city with a mix of grand architecture, lively ruin bars, and relaxing spa culture. Beyond Budapest, you can explore picturesque wine regions, the scenic Danube Bend, charming countryside villages, and the vast plains of the Great Hungarian Plain.

Why learn Swedish?

How much does it cost to learn Swedish?

Hungarian Mobile Apps

Mobile apps have become one of the most popular entry points for learning Hungarian in recent years, especially among young people, due to their accessibility on phones. These apps allow learners to repeat basic vocabulary on the go, through gamified systems that aim to keep learners engaged to sell them as many ads as possible. No one has ever really become fluent in Hungarian by using these apps but they can make daily studying more approachable, especially for people that are not completely sure if they want to commit to a more comprehensive language course.

Costs:
Many apps (e.g., Duolingo, Babbel, Pimsleur, Rosetta Stone) use paid monthly subscriptions averaging $20/month without ads or one life-time purchase for $200-$600.

Pros:

• Self-paced content great for daily bite-sized repetition.

• Fun language based games with flashy animations.

• Good for absolute beginners to decide if interested.

Cons:

• Quality and depth are overall quite low.

• Subscription costs can accumulate quickly unless you opt for a lifetime deal.

• Gamification makes it seem like you are progressing when you actually aren't.

Hungarian Textbooks

Textbooks are a cost-effective and time tested resource for studying Hungarian, or any language for that matter, just like when you were at school. Their adoption in academic settings has brought a lot of needless information into these books which on the contrary should be strictly practical. Textbooks offer a fixed progression with lots of grammatical terms and scholarly explanations that risks making the learning process feel like a chore. As with mobile apps, it is impossible to actually become fluent in the Hungarian language with one single textbook, due to the lack of real life practice and interactivity, which is why even the most diligent learners only achieve a basic language level. 

Costs:

Text-only textbooks cost around $20-$35 per volume. These usually include grammar explanations, vocabulary lists and exercises but do not provide any listening material. Textbooks with good quality accompanying audio resources are available for about $50-$60.

Pros:

• One-time cost, no ongoing fees.

• Textbooks with audio build solid grammar and listening comprehension.

• Ideal for structured, self-paced study.

Cons:

• Audio may be outdated or limited (if included at all).

• Less interactive, needs self-discipline.

• Might lack cultural/contextual immersion.

Studying Hungarian at a University

University programs provide the most academically rigorous and comprehensive Hungarian training. You will become fluent if you attend the courses and get a degree. These courses require many years of commitment and are best suited for those pursuing careers directly connected to the knowledge of the Hungarian language like translators or teachers, which given the current state of the market might not be the wisest career choices, especially since you will be competing with native speakers that do not require any formal training to speak their mother tongue. 

Costs:
Tuition for foreign students in Hungary is US $2,000–US $3,500/semester depending on the university. Monthly living expenses range from $700 to $1000, especially in cities like Budapest. Rent for a shared student apartment can cost between $400 and $600 per month, while food and groceries average around $200–$300. Public transport passes for students are relatively inexpensive, typically $10–$15 per month. While tuition fees in Hungary are lower than in many Western European countries, the total yearly cost can range from €9,000 to €12,000, depending on location and lifestyle.

Pros:

• Deep, structured academic immersion.

• Degree qualification or recognized certifications.

• Full immersion thanks to real Hungarian speakers and situations that require language use.

Cons:

• Time-intensive and long-term commitment with limited professional opportunities compared to other degrees.

• Costs of living in Hungary add up quickly.

• Difficult to find Hungarian university courses outside of Hungary.

Online Hungarian Courses

Online courses represent the most time and cost effective solution, with a personalised and immersive approach to language learning, thanks to structured lessons guided by professional teachers. When taken online these classes allow students to interact with their teachers in real time, providing opportunities for conversation practice, immediate feedback and progress tracking. Online courses come with three major downsides due to the extremely high costs of private tuition especially for beginners, varying teaching quality that depends on the individual teacher's experience and the fact that they don't allow the flexibility of other significantly cheaper self-study alternatives.

Costs:
Average Hungarian 10-week course online with 3-5 live sessions costs US $600-$1,000/month

Private Tutors (available on Preply or Italki) cost US $10–$100 per hour, depending on the teacher’s qualifications

Pros:

• Highly interactive with real-time feedback.

• Customization, especially with one-on-one sessions.

• Accountability and access to experienced teachers.

Cons:

• Very expensive with no guarantee of success.

• Lower flexibility compared to mobile apps or self-study since it depends on teacher's schedule.

• Teaching quality may vary greatly between tutors.

How difficult is Swedish?

The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the United States Department of State classifies Hungarian as a Category III language, meaning it is more challenging for native English speakers to learn than most European languages but not as difficult as some East Asian or Arabic languages.

Several factors contribute to the difficulty of learning Hungarian for English speakers:

1. Unfamiliar Vocabulary – Unlike French, German, or Spanish, Hungarian does not share many cognates (similar words) with English. As a Finno-Ugric language, Hungarian’s vocabulary is distinct from Indo-European languages. For example:

   • Barát (friend) – no resemblance to "friend" in English

   • Szombat (Saturday) – looks completely different from other European equivalents

   • Ma (today) – again, no direct link to familiar words

2. Complex Grammar with 18 Cases – Instead of using prepositions (in, at, from, to) like English, Hungarian expresses relationships through suffixes, requiring learners to modify nouns based on their role in the sentence.

3. Vowel Harmony and Agglutination – Hungarian has a system of vowel harmony, meaning suffixes change based on the vowels in the root word. Additionally, it is an agglutinative language, meaning words are built by adding multiple suffixes, often creating long and complex structures.

4. Flexible Word Order – Unlike English, Hungarian allows words to be rearranged based on emphasis, which makes sentence structure less predictable for beginners.

Our Hungarian language course is designed to maximize your learning efficiency, helping you achieve conversational fluency in just 30 days. Instead of overwhelming you with complex grammar rules all at once, our method builds your language skills gradually, ensuring that you can speak, understand, and engage in real-life conversations from day one.

Why can't I improve in Swedish?

One of the biggest obstacles to learning Hungarian isn’t necessarily the grammar—it’s the lack of comprehensive learning resources that effectively bridge the gap between beginner materials and advanced contents. Many learners find themselves stuck after reaching a beginner level because there aren’t enough books, courses, or accessible content. Unlike languages such as Japanese or Korean, where global pop culture (like anime or K-dramas) has created a huge international demand, Hungarian media and culture have not spread worldwide in the same way. As a result, fewer people attempt to learn Hungarian, leading to a smaller selection of textbooks, online courses, and language learning tools.

This lack of resources is further complicated by the fact that Hungarian is not widely spoken outside Hungary, and the Hungarian-speaking diaspora, while significant, is still relatively small compared to major world languages. While languages like Spanish or French have millions of speakers across multiple continents, Hungarian is primarily concentrated in Hungary, with smaller communities in Romania, Slovakia, Serbia, and a few other countries. This geographical limitation makes it harder for learners to find immersion opportunities, practice partners, and real-world language exposure.

We recognize that the lack of quality Hungarian learning resources is a major challenge, and our goal is to bridge the gap by creating content that helps learners progress beyond the beginner level. 

If you have any suggestions for future lessons or articles, feel free to send them to pr@hungarianinstitute.com — we’d love to hear from you and tailor our content to fit your learning needs!

Should I learn Swedish, Danish or Norwegian?

Choosing between Hungarian, Finnish, and Estonian really depends on your goals, interests, and where you see yourself using the language. Hungarian is the largest of the three by number of speakers, with around 13 million people, mostly located in Hungary but also in neighbouring countries. It has a long and rich literary tradition, a strong cultural identity, and is considered one of the more challenging European languages for foreigners because of its unique vocabulary and complex grammar. However, its widespread use compared to Finnish and Estonian makes it more practical if you want a greater number of speakers to connect with.

Finnish, spoken by about 5.5 million people, most of them living in Finland. It offers access to a society known for its education system, design and technology. It’s also useful if you’re interested in Nordic cooperation, since many Finns work closely with Scandinavian countries. Grammatically, Finnish shares structural similarities with Hungarian, such as vowel harmony and agglutination, but its vocabulary is closer to Estonian, so if you learned one of these two, the other would be easier to pick up.

Estonian, with about 1.1 million speakers, is the smallest by reach, but it connects you with a fascinating Baltic culture and a country that’s a leader in digital innovation. It is closely related to Finnish—so much so that Finns and Estonians can often understand each other to some degree. Learning Estonian may feel rewarding if you’re drawn to the uniqueness of a small but vibrant linguistic community, though the limited number of speakers means fewer opportunities to use it worldwide.

If your main interest is culture heritage and practical application, Hungarian is the strongest choice. If you’re fascinated by Scandinavian countries or see yourself living in Finland, Finnish is a better option. If you want to immerse yourself in a small, digitally advanced society and enjoy the idea of tackling one of Europe’s least-spoken yet highly distinctive languages, Estonian is the right pick. Ultimately, the best choice comes down to which culture excites you most, because all three languages are equally rich and challenging in their own way.

Is Swedish similar to other languages?

Hungarian belongs to the Uralic language family, which also includes Finnish, Estonian, and several lesser-known languages spoken across northern Eurasia, such as Sami, Udmurt, Komi, and Mari. Unlike its Indo-European neighbors, such as Slovak, Romanian, and Croatian, Hungarian has a completely different linguistic ancestry. This makes it one of the few non-Indo-European languages in Europe, along with Finnish and Estonian.

Although Hungarian retains its Uralic roots, centuries of contact with Indo-European languages have introduced a significant number of loanwords into its vocabulary. Hungarian has borrowed from:

Germanic languages (German, English) – Due to historical trade and Austro-Hungarian rule, many German words have been adopted, especially in administration, commerce, and everyday life.

• Bank (bank) – from German Bank

• Színház (theater) – from German Schauspielhaus

Slavic languages (Slovak, Serbian, Croatian, Polish) – Hungarian has absorbed many Slavic loanwords, especially in everyday speech.

• Robot (work, labor) – from Czech robota

• Kovács (smith) – from Slavic kovač

Turkic languages – Due to historical contact with Turkic peoples, including the early Magyars' migration and later Ottoman influence, Hungarian has several Turkic-origin words.

• Szablya (saber) – from a Turkic language

• Kapu (gate) – from Turkic kapı

Latin and French – Many scientific, legal, and academic terms come from these languages, as in most European languages.

• Kórház (hospital) – from Latin hospitale

• Montázs (montage) – from French montage

How to become fluent in Swedish?

These are 5 proven methods that we have developed as language learners (not only as teachers!) that will help you achieve complete mastery of any language:

• 1. Immerse Yourself Completely

  • Surround Yourself: Change the language of your phone, computer, tv, console, news sources, radio stations, song playlists and streaming apps to the language you want to learn.

  • Engaging Content: Listen to native music, watch original movies, learn about the culture and history of the country on Youtube. This will help you stay motivated and reduce the initial frustration.

  • Make Mistakes: Travel to the country where the language is spoken and don't be afraid to engage with the locals. People will be amazed at your efforts to learn their language.

  2. Focus on the Most Useful Words and Phrases

  • Study Efficiency: Learn the top 2,000 words in the language, as they often cover 80-90% of everyday conversations. Learning takes time but that doesn't mean it has to take very long to see results.

  • Real Conversations: Start by practising with common phrases you'll actually use in real-life situations, like greetings, ordering food, asking for directions, etc.

  3. Use Memorization Techniques 

  • Spaced Repetition: Our Courses are based on spaced spaced repetition systems (SRS) to help you memorize words and grammar in the long term and with miminal effort by showing them to you in progression.

  • Mnemonic Devices: trick your brain and speed up the learning process by trying to think of an example or "story" for each new word / expression you struggle to remember.

  4. Learn the Language based on the Context

  • Practice Makes Perfect: Remember that your grammar doesn't have to be perfect as long as you can be understood! There is no shame in using simple phrases to get you point across.

  • Shadowing Technique: Repeat in your head after native speakers in real-time while listening or watching videos with original subtitles to improve your comprehension. 

  5. Consistency is Everything

  • Daily Practice: Even just 30 minutes a day is more effective than sporadic, long day study sessions. Take breaks often when reading and always have fun to increase productivity.

  • Compound Results: Small, achievable goals like reading 5 pages daily, or even just watching a movie or playing a videogame every evening produce results over time if you don't see them immediately.

EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE

If you are serious about learning Swedish, we recommend that you download the Complete Swedish Master Course.

You will receive all the information available on the website in a convenient portable digital format as well as additional contents: over 15.000 Vocabulary Words and Useful Phrases, in-depth explanations and exercises for all Grammar Rules, exclusive articles with Cultural Insights that you won't in any other textbook so you can amaze your Swedish friends thanks to your knowledge of their country and history.

With a one-time purchase you will also hours of Podcasts to Practice your Swedish listening skills as well as Dialogues with Exercises to achieve your own Swedish Master Certificate. Start speaking Swedish today!