About Me –
Your Swedish and Danish Teacher
A non-native speaker who figured it out – and can help you do the same.
Hej, I’m Yani 👋
I’m Yanitsa – but you can call me Yani.
I’m your Swedish and Danish teacher. Your fellow language nerd. Your guide to all things Scandi.
I’m a proud non-native speaker – a real learner who’s now a teacher. Which means I’ve been exactly where you are.
With a background in Scandinavian languages and 6+ years of teaching, I’ve helped hundreds of people go from “wait, what?” to “ohhh… this actually makes sense.”
Welcome to Learn Scandi. I’m so glad you’re here. 💛
My mission
My mission is to make Swedish and Danish feel clear, structured, and actually doable – while helping you explore the language, the culture, and everything that makes it come alive. ✨
A quick look at my background
BA & MA in Scandinavian Studies
10+ years in Swedish & Danish
6+ years teaching Swedish & Danish
100+ learners helped
Why I teach Scandinavian languages
I wasn’t born a native speaker – and that kind of is the whole point. I wasn’t born with an inner feeling for Scandinavian languages, but I’ve always been fascinated by them.
That’s why I devoted 5 years to a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Scandinavian Studies (and I’m still learning every day) – and I’ve now spent over 6 years teaching Swedish and Danish.
I’ve taught Swedish and Danish in a school specialized in Scandinavian languages and Danish in high school. That’s when I discovered how much I love teaching: breaking down complicated topics and seeing those “ohhh, now I get it” moments happen.
I know how easy it is to feel unsure, to ask yourself “wait, why does it work like that?”, and to want explanations that actually make sense, instead of being told “that’s just how it is.”
And I love being the person who helps make things clear and builds confidence along the way.
I like to say I’m a teacher by heart and by profession – and I honestly can’t imagine it being any other way.
After years of teaching, I started to realize something:
my love for Scandinavian languages was too big to stay inside the classroom.
I loved seeing those “ohhh, now I get it” moments – and I kept getting the same kind of feedback from my students: that things finally felt clear, logical, and less intimidating.
I wanted to create a space where I could:
- make language learning feel less scary (and actually make sense),
- share the tips, tricks, and shortcuts that help things click,
- inspire you through the culture, places, and everyday life of Scandinavia,
- and support you along the way – because I know you can do this. 💪
That’s how Learn Scandi was born.
How Learn Scandi was born
How I teach
I don’t believe in “that’s just how it is” or “there is no rule for that” (spoiler alert: there almost always is 😉).
I teach Swedish and Danish through logic, structure, and the “why” behind things, so you’re not just memorizing… you’re actually understanding how it works. And because language lives in real life, I always sprinkle in culture and everyday Scandinavia too. ✨
I’ve been both the student and the teacher. And that shapes everything I do here.
Be first to hear when my courses launch
If Swedish or Danish have ever made you think “okay… but WHY?”, you’re going to love what I’m building. 😉
I’m working on Swedish & Danish courses with clear explanations, structure, and logic – so you can stop guessing and start understanding how the language actually works. Expect lots of tips, tricks, and little shortcuts that help things click faster.
Want a heads-up when they‘re live? 👉
My time in Scandinavia
I didn’t just study Scandinavian languages – I’ve lived them, too. 🇸🇪🇩🇰🇳🇴
I spent a semester in Växjö during my Bachelor’s, and later got a scholarship from the Swedish Institute to go back and write my Master’s thesis (on translating Swedish dialects) in Lund.
Since then, I’ve kept coming back – to Copenhagen, Stockholm and Lund (some places never get old 🤩). I’ve explored a lot around Stockholm and Gothenburg, and traveled all across southern Sweden (my favorite part!).
I’ve only been to Norway once so far – but I did manage to see Oslo, Bergen, and Tromsø. Still not over it. 💔
A few things about me
If you’ve made it this far, I have a feeling we’re going to get along just fine. 💛
If you’re already head over heels for Scandinavia, you’ll feel right at home here. And if you’re not quite there yet – get ready to be. There’s a lot to discover at Learn Scandi, and I’m so happy you’re here for it.
Whether you’re just getting curious or already knee-deep in grammar and vocab, I’m here to help you learn Swedish and Danish in a way that feels clear, doable, and (yes) fun!
Whenever you’re ready, you can:
Explore my featured blog posts ⬇️
So, you’ve started learning Swedish – but somehow, you’re still stuck at Vad heter du? and Trevligt att träffas!, while the rest…
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If you’re thinking of learning Norwegian, you’ve probably already heard about Norway’s unique language situation – and come across…
Fika is all about taking time to enjoy coffee, pastries, and good conversation. But to get the full picture and understand exactly what fika is…
If you’ve ever wondered how Danes con-sistently manage to rank among the happiest people in the world despite their long…
What if happiness wasn’t found in things, but in nature – and not just in the climb-a-mountain kind, but in a quiet walk through the woods…
While the north is exceptionally beautiful with its frozen landscapes, the south – especially the province of Skåne, or Scania – has its own…
Copenhagen is full of things to fall in love with, from its historic palaces and castles to its beautiful churches. The countless towers…
Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord are considered two of the most beautiful fjords in Norway – and in my humble opinion, visiting them…
Join my email newsletter ⬇️
We’re practically friends at this point – might as well make it official. 😄 Join my newsletter and you’ll get tips, mini lessons, cultural bits, and honest advice on learning Swedish and Danish – from someone who gets the confusion, the curiosity, and the love for all things Scandi.
Just pick what you’re most interested in when you sign up – and I’ll take it from there. 💛
P.S. My Swedish & Danish courses are on their way – and subscribers hear about it first.
P.S.2 I only send emails I’d want to read – useful, real, and (hopefully) inspiring too. ✨
Follow me on social media ⬇️
If your feed could use a little more language nerdiness and Scandi vibes – I’m there too. Follow along for:
✓ Bite-sized grammar & vocab
✓ Everyday Swedish & Danish
✓ Scandi culture through my eyes