language instruction

As of August 2005, all refugees and immigrants will be obliged to complete 300 hours of language training. In practice, this means that 300 hours must be completed by anyone who seeks a permit for permanent settlement in the country. If you can document previous language training, the 300 hours are not compulsory. Persons with a EU/EEA permit are exempted.

50 of the 300 hours are classes in Norwegian life and society, in a language that the participant can understand.

Language training may be continued up to 850 or 3000 hours (track 1, 2 and 3; see above) if necessary. The new regulations apply to newcomers only. The language training must be completed within five years. More information...

Norwegian language classes free of charge - New Regulations

For immigrants who receive their first residence permit after 1 September 2005, new regulations apply.

For immigrants who have received a permit before 1 September 2005, the old regulations apply until 1 September 2010. These regulations you can read more about below.

The following groups have the right to free tuition:

• Immigrants with Norwegian citizenship
• Refugees and persons granted residence on humanitarian grounds
• Immigrants with a residence and work permit granted before 1 January 2003
• Persons with a permit for family reunification with a member of the groups mentioned above.
• Asylum seekers under 18 years of age
• Asylum seekers who have been granted a residence permit, but who are still staying in reception centres (mottak) while awaiting municipal settlement.
• Persons with a permit for family reunification with a Norwegian citizen.
  
  
  Persons with a permit for family reunification with a citizen from one of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden) may in some cases have the right to free tuition.

The following groups do not have the right to free tuition:

• Citizens of EU/EEA countries with a residence permit according to EEA/EFTA regulations, regardless of when the permit was granted (Laminated card)
• Asylum seekers
• Persons with a student residence permit
• Citizens of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden).
• Persons with a work permit granted for 3 months or less.
• Persons employed by a foreign employer on an assignment of limited duration, and their families.
• Embassy and consulate personnel, and their families.
• Persons with a first permit to work granted after 1 January 2003, and their families
• Au pairs with a permit granted after 1 January 2003
• Persons with a specialist work permit granted after 1 January 2003
  

Note that the new regulations apply to the original permit granted to reside and work in Norway.
Note also that cohabitants who have lived together for 2 years or more may apply for a family reunification permit on the same grounds as married couples.Persons with a permit for family reunification with a citizen from a Nordic country (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden) may in some cases have the right to free tuition.
Source: Velkommenoslo.no

Adult Education Centers

Norwegian language classes are widely available through local adult education centers (opens PDF file).  Both evening and daytime classes are offered.  In Oslo, contact:

Rosenhof Voksenopplæringsenter, Dynekilgt. 10, 0569 Oslo, tel: 22 38 77 00 or

Friundervisningen i Oslo, Torggt. 7, 0105 Oslo, tel: 22 47 60 00. 

Bærum Kommune Voksenopplæringssenteret offers classes in Norwegian for foreign speakers as well. (website is in Norwegian), Emma Hjorths vei 58, 1336 Sandvika, tel: 67 50 66 00.

In other cities, check the yellow pages in the “School” (“Skoler”) section for the listing “Voksenopplæring” or “Friundervisningen/Folkeuniversitetet.”

Folkeuniversitetet offers courses in Norwegian on all levels. Current price is around NOK 2900 per level. Brochures are available at your local library or contact your local Folkeuniversitetet. They also offer preparatory courses for the Bergenstest (the Norwegian Language Test for Adult Immigrants).

Other Sources of Instruction

Folkeuniversitetet i Oslo
provides courses in Norwegian on all levels, daytime and evening classes. On their website, go to 'Kurskatalog' to see what they have to offer. Folkeuniversitetet also has summer courses.

Folkeuniversitetet Oslo
Torggata 7, 5th floor
Telephone: 22 47 60 00
Fax: 22 47 60 01
e-mail: info@fu.oslo.no
www: www.fuoslo.no

Aftenskolen
Aftenskolen organises courses in Norwegian Language and Society for students with approx. 9-10 years of primary and secondary schooling. Each course lasts 7 weeks; classes two evenings per week.

Kirkegata 32
0153 Oslo
Telephone: 22 42 67 27
e-mail: oslo@aftenskolen.no
www: www.aftenskolen.no/oslo

The International Summer School (ISS)
The International Summer School at the University of Oslo has courses on different levels, and during summer only. To attend, you must satisfy the general higher education admission requirements - read more here.

University of Oslo
The Department of Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies (ILN) runs Norwegian language courses on all levels. To attend, you must have a residence permit and you must also satisfy the general higher education admission requirements - read more here.

Deadline for application is 15 April for autumn term courses, 1 October for courses starting in the spring term. Course duration is approx. 5 weeks, the course fee is around NOK 9000, depending on the length and level of the course.

The courses are free of charge for medical doctors, psychologists and refugees.

For more information, see their website here.
Telephone: 22 85 62 27
e-mail: henvendelser@iln.uio.no

Read more about the language requirements for admission here.

KIA (Kristent Interkulturelt Arbeid)
KIA in Oslo has couses in Norwegian for women, with child-minding services for children aged 3 months and older. The child-care is free of charge. The office is open Mondays and Fridays between 1000 and 1300 hours.

Address:
Storgata 38, 2nd floor
Telephone: 22 99 03 50

Berlitz Language Services
Berlitz Language Services offer Norwegian language courses on all levels, daytime and evening classes. Tuition is one-to-one, or in groups/classes with 4 - 6 participants.
Berlitz can also supply tailor-made courses for companies and private groups on request.

Berlitz Language Services are located close to Stortinget:

Akersgata 16, 7th floor
0158 Oslo
Telephone: 23 00 33 60
Fax: 22 33 10 03
e-mail: info@berlitz.no
www: www.berlitz.no

Stamina Kurssenter AS
Stamina Course Centre offers evening classes in Norwegian language. Some previous knowledge of Norwegianis necessary, as they do not offer courses for beginners. Classes are held two hours, two evenings per week. There is a course fee.

Stamina also has tailor-made courses for companies, such as professional Norwegian, Norwegian Language and Society, further education preparation courses, job seeking courses, and Introduction to Word processing and the Internet.

Stamina Kurssenter, Hedmarksgata 15, 0658 Oslo
Tel: 22 67 97 68 (Eigil Evensen, manager)
Fax: 22 67 35 23
E-mail: stamina@online.no
Web: www.stamina.no (information in Norwegian)

NorLearn
NorLearn offers Norwegian language instruction on all levels. Both intensive courses, evening courses, individual lessons and group instruction. The beginner lessons in Norwegian are given in English.

NORLEARN
Agathe Grøndahlsgate 45, 0478 OSLO
Tlf: 92486713
Web: www.norlearn.no
E-mail: info@norlearn.no

Private Lessons

• Word for Word, Gunhild Kværness, 913 94 687

• Dagny Nystuen, 22 15 93 55, mobile 920 19 512, fax 22 15 93 55.

Online Resources

nki Fjernundervisningen - take a Norwegian class online! 

VOX - Nettnorsk
"Nettnorsk" is an interactive course in Norwegian as a Second Language, leading to the upper secondary school level in Norwegian. You learn about Norwegian history of literature, literary styles, language history, and grammar. The target group is primarily for pupils preparing to sit for the upper secondary school examination in Norwegian language and literature. However, the interactive grammar section in Nettnorsk can be useful for minority speakers on other levels.

Internet address: www.statvoks.no/konsept/norsk2/

Migranorsk
Migranorsk computer-based course in Norwegian language for adult learners, using video, pictures and language. Users have online contact with teachers/guides, and also other users in chatrooms. Migranorsk can be a useful tool in organised language teaching taking place in classrooms and other language training venues.

Migranorsk comes in different versions:

• Migranorsk Alfa: Basic literacy.
  For minority speakers with little or no formal education.
• Migranorsk Working Life: Language training for job purposes.
  Trade specific language training and culture in the workplace.
• Migranorsk, general: General language training.
  Norewgian Language and Soiciety.
  

Migranorsk also has a guidance module for teachers and councillors who intend to use the programme.

If you are interested, you can contact a language school or course centre where you live, to check if they are using Migranorsk.

Internet address: www.migranorsk.no

"Veien videre" - Norwegian language for minority speakers
"Veien videre" is a Norwegian language course on the Internet. You will have an Internet teacher guiding you throughout the course. On completion, you can choose to do the lower secondary school examination (10 years) in Norwegian language. The course is suitable for people who are working and cannot attend a course, but is also useful as support material for language course participants. The website has a demo that you can try out before you decide to participate (or not).

Internet address: www.veienvidere.com

"På vei"
"På vei" is a beginner's course book in Norwegian for adult learners. In connection with the book, a free website has a collection of exercises where you can practise listening, pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary.

Web address: www.pavei.cappelen.no

Norwegian for the Highest Level - The Bergen Test

An Intensive preparatory course is available for those who wish to take the Bergen Test.  This course includes:

• Listening Comprehension

• Reading Comprehension

• Exercises

• Writing

Instruction comes from a variety of sources like newspapers, cassettes, and books. Grammar exercises are on a computer.  This course can be taken in the daytime or evening. For more information on the preparatory course, visit http://www.oslovo.no/content/view/49/84/.