Fika: Sip, Chat, Repeat (B2–C1)
Have you ever wondered what makes a simple coffee break so much more than just a pause in the day? This lesson dives into "fika," the beloved Swedish custom, and shows how a simple break can improve wellbeing, team spirit, and even workplace performance.
Student worksheet + answer key for teachers
What you’ll find inside:
- Warm-up
Engaging questions about daily routines, break habits, and workplace culture to introduce the concept of fika and activate personal reflection.
- Video: “The Secret to Swedish Happiness”
A practical look at how fika works in everyday life, from cultural norms to workplace routines. Includes listening tasks, vocabulary prep, and guided discussion questions
- Reading: “Will Sweden Say Goodbye to Free Fika?”
An article about how budget cuts are putting Sweden’s fika tradition at risk. Includes helpful vocabulary, questions to check understanding, and ideas to think and talk about.
- Share your thoughts
30+ thoughtful questions about fika, Swedish culture, and how shared breaks shape team dynamics; perfect for sparking conversation and cultural insight.
- Vocabulary practice
30+ expressions related to a fika culture (e.g. bite off more than you can chew, take a breather, and not my cup of tea, and more) taught through matching and gap‑fills, and creative use.
- Role-based debate
Take on roles like a healthcare worker or municipal budget director and debate whether fika should be publicly funded or scaled back in tough times.