Language Requirements in Preschools: No One Approved

A new language test has been introduced in the recruitment process for preschools in Gothenburg — but so far, not a single candidate has passed it. The test applies to applicants who lack a grade in Swedish and has been in use for almost a year.

Since May last year, 3,378 people have applied for jobs as preschool assistants in the city's preschools. Of these, 94 people have taken the mandatory language test. The results raise questions. No one, in fact, has been approved.

The purpose of the test is to ensure that staff possess sufficient knowledge of Swedish. The language test is conducted digitally by an external operator and covers all aspects of language: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

To pass, all parts must be approved. Although no one has succeeded so far, those responsible believe the test serves an important function. According to Blerta Hoti Singh (Social Democrats), chairperson of the preschool board, it is likely that several of the people now being rejected could previously have been hired.

“I’m actually not surprised and I’m very proud of this test. It’s a way to ensure that our preschool staff have sufficiently good Swedish, and it’s crucial for all children, regardless of their mother tongue, to have the same opportunities for a broad Swedish vocabulary,” says Blerta Hoti Singh to Göteborgs-Posten.

The language test is currently only used when applicants lack grades in Swedish 1 or Swedish as a Second Language 1. The decision to introduce the tests in Gothenburg was enacted by the red–green coalition. Similar proposals have previously been advanced by the Sweden Democrats, while the red–green parties had earlier been critical, warning that such requirements could be seen as exclusionary and xenophobic.

The local parties Democrats, Moderate Party, and Liberal Party wanted to go further than the red–green coalition in Gothenburg and also test applicants whose language proficiency was considered uncertain, even if they had grades. The Sweden Democrats put forward a similar proposal to go further.

Language tests are already established within elderly care. During a test period in 2024, 243 tests were conducted, with 20 people denied employment due to insufficient language skills.

The issue has now also been raised at the national level. The Swedish Parliament recently decided on language requirements within social services, meaning that staff in elderly care must master Swedish at least at level B2 according to European standards.