Gabriella Lagerqvist
Primary and MYP Swedish Teacher
‘I am a Swede, but I don’t feel Swedish.’
It’s an unexpected opening to a conversation with someone who was born in Stockholm, has lived almost all her life in Stockholm, has taught Swedish since she qualified in 2008, and has been an integral part of delivering Swedish language classes at Stockholm International School since 2016.
It’s a profile quite distinct from most of our teachers who have been drawn to Stockholm by romance or seeking new career horizons. But the clue is in the word ‘international’. ‘I love to travel and explore’ says Gabriella, ‘I love to see new places, really experience the life and culture of a country. I love being part of SIS because it brings so many cultures together. Mixing with colleagues and students I feel I can travel without leaving the building!’
The travel bug took Gabriella to the UK where she spent a year working as an au pair firstly in – she describes it – ‘posh’ Surrey and then in Camden in north London when it was at its bohemian counter-culture height.
‘I loved my time in the UK’ she says, ‘And that’s where I developed my English accent in contrast to so many Swedes I know who have an American edge.’ There was one unexpected consequence of Gabriella’s stay, however. ‘I found the first children I looked after were quite spoiled and very demanding, expecting their au pair to be there just to do their bidding. As a result, after my year in the UK, I swore to myself I would never work with children again!’
Well, that didn’t last. But at that stage in life teaching wasn’t on the agenda, and she continued exploring after her year in England. She headed off as a solo traveller to Australia, Thailand, and Hong Kong in a busy international schedule. She fell in love with Australia and now cites it as one of her favourite places. ‘It’s hard to put my finger on, but I just loved the atmosphere. I think Australians have a great way of looking at life.’
She then embarked upon a career focused on marketing within the tech sector, including companies such as Ericsson, Telia, and Microsoft. However, when the tech crash came in 2000, she lost her job, and took the opportunity to rethink.
Travel escapades have to be paid for though, and as Gabriella considered a new career, it was an old interest that drove her in that direction: ‘I always enjoyed dramatics when I was young and would have liked to have been an actor, but my parents weren’t keen and felt I should get a ‘proper job’. I suppose part of what appealed to me about teaching when I came to consider it, is that there is an element of performance in the job. Every day, every class, is a performance in one way. It’s never boring. Also, despite my reflection in the UK, I discovered I love children very much!’
That performance – keeping it interesting – is important for Gabriella as a language acquisition teacher, as teaching Swedish in Stockholm brings certain challenges. ‘Teaching Swedish to Swedish kids is a natural thing to do. Teaching non-Swedish kids, it can be a challenge to sustain their interest and keep them motivated. One has to be realistic that it’s not a global language, it doesn’t have a life outside Scandinavia like say French or Spanish.’ Teaching in both Primary and Middle School also means that she has to work with a wide age range, who respond in very different ways to what’s offered in the classroom, demanding a flexible and sometimes spontaneous approach.
Summers in Sweden
For all her wanderlust, and the natural tendency of teachers to take off during the long summer recess, Gabriella is steadfast in spending her summers in Sweden. ‘I love the Swedish summer. The light, the wilderness, the back-to-nature feel.’ She also has a keen interest in local history, and occasionally runs guided tours around Stockholm revealing its hidden and not-so-hidden treasures.
Gabriella’s children appear to have inherited her globe-trotting gene. The eldest of her two daughters has already been backpacking on a ‘gap year’ just as mum had done some years before, and wants to take a little more time before university. She can hardly caution her against it. ‘Of course as a mother you always worry’ she says, ‘but I say to her to be careful, be sensible, and enjoy everything and everywhere you go.’
And back at SIS, Gabriella continues to relish the international environment she is working in and looks out for inspiration for her next trip. ‘I love being here at SIS’ she says. ‘I love engaging with different cultures, sharing my experiences and hearing others. I’m constantly teaching and learning at the same time.’
Perhaps unwittingly she gives voice to her exuberance and passion in one quick phrase: ‘Teaching is fun!’ she exclaims.
