Rivstart A1+A2 - Textbok och ljudfiler

This popular textbook from Sweden focuses on communication and quickly leads to independent language use.

• For fast learners with specially adapted progression
• With selected pronunciation exercises along the lessons
• Easy orientation due to clear structure
• Audio files available online with access code

Information from the publisher

Layout / design and handling of Rivstart

A blue arrow pointing forward and upward on a yellow background adorns the cover of the book and makes it clear: It should go fast and upward with learning Swedish.

The individual pages of the textbook are clearly arranged, almost a little brittle. Unnecessary and purely illustrative pictures are avoided as much as possible. The pages are airy, so that there is room for your own notes. Small icons next to the individual tasks indicate whether it is a writing, pronunciation, or communicative exercise, or whether you can refer to an audio document that is available online. Yellow boxes with a wrench mark concrete phrases that can be used in specific situations. New grammar is presented in small, relatively inconspicuous blue boxes with a lamp symbol printed next to them.

At first, this is quite a lot of symbols and the grammar gets a bit lost - especially if you are specifically looking for something. However, if you work with the book a little longer, you get used to the structure.

Structure and texts 

The book A1 + A2 consists of 20 lessons. In an overview at the beginning, the lessons are presented: they always consist of a thematic complex, different competences that the learner acquires ("Jag kan") and the so-called language focus, i.e. certain grammar phenomena, pronunciation rules, etc. The lessons are presented in a way that makes them easy to understand. The topics of the lessons seem close to everyday life and are aimed at what is important for the person who is practicing the language for the first time. So it's about introductions, shopping, weather, directions, but also about job hunting and everyday situations at work. The selected texts also seem very close to everyday life. They also increase in difficulty so that the learner is also challenged. Some texts are not only informative, but can also be read with a twinkle in the eye, which makes them fun to read, for example the text about the average Swede "Medelsvensson" or the statements of new Swedes who were asked about what they thought were typical characteristics of Swedes.

Great emphasis on pronunciation

What sets Rivstart apart from other textbooks is that it places a lot of emphasis on pronunciation. Thus, after the 20 lessons, there is a detailed section that deals with sentence melody, but especially with the pronunciation of vowels and consonants. Since pronunciation is certainly something most learners of Swedish have great difficulty with, this is a real plus.

This is followed by a mini-grammar that thoroughly deserves this designation. Although all the essential topics are covered, some explanatory sentences would be an advantage.

Extensive additional materials online

On the front cover of the book you will find the log-in data for the additional materials, which are provided on the publisher's website www.nok.se. Here you will find not only the solution manuals, but also the online version of the book. Here you can find not only the solution booklets for the text and exercise book and the numerous audio files that go with the book, but also a vocabulary list and some good web-based exercises on language use, grammar and spelling.

Since Rivstart is a monolingual textbook, it is understandable that the vocabulary is not printed in the book, but that it is available online (once Swedish - German and once Swedish - English). Nevertheless, this is inconvenient for learning, because you have to be logged in on the publisher's homepage. Alternatively, you can print out the list, so that you have it available independently of the Internet. The same applies to the solutions to the exercises.

The book is supplemented by an app that can be downloaded from the Google Play store, among other places. However, it costs 4.08 euros.

Orientation / Objectives 

The back cover of the book states that it is suitable for the "student accustomed to learning in and outside Sweden". It also says that it is an excellent fit for SFI courses, which are courses in Swedish for immigrants.

We find both confirmed when testing the book. The progression is relatively high, which means that it gets more demanding quite quickly. The listening comprehension texts are also spoken quickly, but realistically. For someone who wants to learn a lot quickly and who wants to find his way around Sweden quickly, the textbook is suitable. On the other hand, if you just want to get a solid basis, you should perhaps choose a different book. Because repetitions do not occur too often.

Also, the fact that it is a monolingual textbook could pose a challenge to very beginners. However, those who already know a little Swedish will be able to cope with the purely Swedish tasks.

Tasks and solutions in Rivstart

As already mentioned, Rivstart offers different tasks, whereby the focus is on communicative exercises and exercises aimed at listening comprehension or speaking. If you learn a language through grammar and need a lot of practice, you might miss out. There are grammar exercises, but not too many. On the other hand, the few grammar exercises are very useful. Thus, the learner is encouraged to recognize the corresponding rule himself with the help of clever exercises. This works surprisingly well and is a big plus.

Another positive aspect is that a variety of different phrases (including colloquial ones) are often offered, which can be used in a specific context. This makes it possible to vary more quickly. The writing exercises are also convincing, as a few patterns or phrases are always provided to guide you. This helps to overcome a possible inhibition threshold faster.

With the assignments, you know what you're supposed to do. In places, however, they could be a bit clearer.

Advantages and disadvantages of Rivstart at a glance

Advantages:

• clear structure
• much emphasis on pronunciation and communication
• modern language, which is also spoken in Sweden (e.g. "tjena" and "tja" for greetings)
• Extensive and free online resources with many audio files, solutions, additional exercises, and word lists in German and English.
• grammar exercises, in which the learner is supposed to recognize and develop the rules on his own
• well-chosen texts, which are true to life and motivating
• a rapid progression that challenges but does not overwhelm the learner

Disadvantages:

• Someone starting on their own with this monolingual book without any prior knowledge might not be able to cope with it at first.
• the mini-grammar, which is really mini
• the vocabulary list, which is not in the book, but only available online
• the numerous symbols, which can be a bit confusing in the beginning