Learning Norwegian

[Anonym bruker]

My husband and I are thinking of moving to Norway. He is American and doesn't know much Norwegain. I have heard that there are Norwegian courses that are offered to immigrants for free. Does anyone have any experience with those courses and can you take a course during the summer holiday.

[Gjest]

Immigrants may qualify for 300 hours of Norwegian, I do not know the exact rules, but I think everyone who gets a permanent visa qualifies for the course (maybe someone else with more experience can tell you more) My husband qualified for the 300 hours when he got his residency.

 

I don't know if there are courses in summer, I doubt the schools are open for free classes in summer. Normally they follow the Norwegian school year (with autumn semestre starting in mid-August and spring semestre starting early January)

 

Please make sure you check everything with residencial permits/work permits, visas etc at www.udi.no (http://www.udi.no/default.aspx?id=2112 in English) - there is a lot to go through!!

[Anonym bruker]

Thank you for your reply! I will look into all the details. 300 hours sounds like a good deal though. Was your husband happy with the course?

[blirdettre?]

Don't think they do summer courses as most classes follow the school year.

Can be worth looking at the local university, they often do classes for immigrants with higher education background and those intending to study here. I took my classes at NTNU in Trondheim and they were great. I know others who have taken classes via the normal route and not been so happy, depends a bit on teh teacher and the group though.

 

My tip is to start before you move....you can get hold of a good course on CD

[Gjest]

My husband had already applied for a Norwegian course at the local college and studied Norwegian full time for a whole year, and earned 60 student credits (which, in my opinion, is much better than the 300 hrs offered by the government) but I have friends who have completed their 300 hrs - they liked it, but progress was a little slow. Hopefully you will move somewhere where you can join a class with students on your own level, because many of the immigrants here have little or no schooling, and then progress will be very slow. In most cases the schools will try to accomodate students, so they will get taught on their level.

 

But as suggested by one above here: Look into colleges and universities as they also offer Norwegian classes - they might be better than the "obligatory" 300 hours. And remember that Norwegian is a difficult language to learn, and with 300 hours (around 15 weeks) you will learn the basics.

 

Good luck!

[kiwi pappa!]

Hey im from New Zealand and i am applying for a working holiday i am wondering if i will be able to get free norwegian lessons

[Gjest]

I don't think it applies for people with seasonal work visas - since the visa only last for 3 monhts or so... But you should check with the authorities when you apply for your visa, maybe you'll qualify for less than 300 hours.

[Melodie]

These rules changed a few years back, the official Norwegian courses are only open to those outside the english-speaking world and the EU, I _think_.

 

The uni courses are still free, but I think they may seek some form of documentation that he intends to take another 3 semestres or so there after the course.

 

I'd recommend starting while in the US too, as well as trying to speak lots Norwegian to locals when you arrive. It's fairly easy to get by in English here, but for jobs etc then of course a bit of Norwegian can be essential. And then practice in the "real world" may be valuable.

 

Good luck!

[Gjest]

I tried searching for some more information on this issue, and it was really hard to find anything. There does not seem to be any clear rules on who is offered this course of 300 hours, but EVERY immigrant to Norway who does not already speak Norwegian must learn it before he/she can apply for a permanent residency. If you do not qualify for the 300hours course you will get another offer by your municipality, and this is free in most cases.

 

For more information see: http://www.nyinorge.no/modules/module_123/proxy.asp?C=30&D=1&I=0

 

for those of you lwho are work migrants:

http://www.nyinorge.no/modules/module_123/proxy.asp?C=186&D=1&I=0

[Fleebie]

Here are some more informational links:

 

http://www.velkommenoslo.no/english/norwegian/right.htm

 

http://www.awcoslo.org/Sections/LivingInOslo/norwegian_language_instruction.htm

 

 

[Anonym bruker]

Hi there...

 

This is the latest I've received from UDI for language courses. You can check out courses at Oslo Voksenopplaering website as well.

 

www.velkommenoslo.no / www.rvo.no

 

The courses may be slow like someone mentioned. But it depends largely on the individual's ability to take up a new language.

 

I think UIO is one of the institutions that offers summer courses but it's very popular and pretty expensive. If you just want to know basic Norwegian language, then you could start at the lowest level. But if you needed Norwegian for work / studies etc, then I dont think a course offered just for the summer is good enough.

 

If you are a Norwegian and your husband is moving back to Norway with you, then he will need to apply for a family reunification visa thingy and hence, will automatically be in the FREE Norwegian language tuition path.

 

Good Luck! :-)

****************************************************

 

The following groups have a right and obligation to participate in Norwegian language and social studies tuition:

 

persons with asylum status

resettlement refugees

persons granted residence on humanitarian grounds

persons with collective protection

family members reunited with persons with the above status

family members reunited with Norwegian or Nordic citizens

Family members reunited with persons who have been granted settlement permits

 

And the course are FREE and obligatory to get a settlement permits or citizenship.

 

The following groups neither have a right nor an obligation to participate in Norwegian language tuition:

 

students

au pairs and other persons with temporary rersidence

nordic citizens

persons with residence pursuant to the EFTA/EEA rules

 

This means that the municipal authorities are not responsible for organising Norwegian language tuition for these groups.