COMPLETE NORWEGIAN COURSE

THE NORWEGIAN LANGUAGE: GATEWAY TO YOUR FUTURE

Welcome on behalf of the Norwegian Institute!

If you wish to learn Norwegian you are in right place. We have created the world's most Complete Norwegian Master Course to take you from absolute beginner to native speaker in 30 days. In this section you will find all the information and answers you need about learning Norwegian, such as: the best learning method, reasons to learn this language, the costs associated, the difficulty spikes to watch out for, how to improve your prior skills if you are stuck in a plateau, as well as the differences and similarities to other commonly spoken languages.

First of all you should know that Norwegian actually has two official written forms—Bokmål and Nynorsk—each shaped by distinct historical and cultural developments. The course in its current version covers only Bokmål for the moment. The language is primarily spoken in Norway with around 5 million speakers so it is a relatively small language compared to many other European tongues, yet it holds a unique place due to its dual written standards and shares deep historical roots with Danish, Swedish, Icelandic, and Faroese.

Norwegian is not an easy language to learn. It’s distinctive features can be found in its Vocabulary, Grammar and Pronunciation, which have evolved independently while incorporating influences from German, English, Greek and Latin over centuries. The challenge with many learning methods is that they only take you part of the way. Mobile apps are fun and motivating, but they often stay on the surface, giving you basic vocabulary without real depth in grammar or conversation. Live courses offer great interaction with teachers but can be inflexible and expensive, making them difficult to sustain long term. University programs are academically rigorous, but they demand years of commitment and come with high living and tuition costs. Textbooks provide structure and clarity, but they lack immersion and often don't provide the practical information that learners actually need.

If you are serious about learning Norwegian Bokmål, commit to a method that makes you actually speak the language. With the right system, you can go beyond memorised phrases and truly speak, read, and think in Norwegian. The journey is demanding, but the rewards — access to Norwegian news, cinema, music, history, personal connections and work opportunities — are immense. The time to start is now, with our Complete Norwegian Master Course that has been designed to give you nothing less than complete fluency.

NATURAL METHOD TO LEARN NORWEGIAN

Our language courses are based on the Natural Method, also known as the Natural Approach, developed by linguist Stephen Krashen and language educator Tracy Terrell. This approach focuses on creating an environment that mimics how individuals naturally acquire their first language, emphasizing comprehension, communication, and a stress-free learning experience.

While other language courses rely on rote memorization and drills, a heavy academic approach to grammar, repetitive exercises, expensive and time-consuming formal tutoring sessions or ineffective and shallow phone apps, we will have you gradually build your language skills like a child learning his/her mother tongue.

There are essentially 5 Core Principles in the Natural Method:

1. Comprehensible Input (i+1)
   Learners acquire a language when they are exposed to materials slightly beyond their current level of understanding (represented as i+1). By hearing or reading content they mostly understand, learners can gradually internalize new vocabulary and grammar structures.

2. Focus on Communication
   The Natural Method prioritizes fluency and the ability to communicate over grammatical perfection. Errors are seen as a natural part of the learning process and are not heavily penalised, reducing anxiety and encouraging learners to express themselves.

3. Emotional Element
   Emotional factors like anxiety, motivation and enjoyment greatly influence language acquisition. When learners are in a relaxed state, achieved by removing the anxiety linked to the pressure to produce perfect grammar, it is easier for them to get through the initial phase which is arguably the hardest and where most give up. It is also proven to be easier for the brain to absorb and retain new information if the learner is actually interested in the language and its underlying culture, which is why he have included extensive cultural insights, historical and modern pop culture elements in our language course.

4. Stages of Language Acquisition
   Scholars have identified the following stages in the language acquisition process of young children:

   • Pre-production: The "silent period," where learners focus on listening and understanding without speaking.

   • Early Production: Learners begin using simple words and phrases.

   • Speech Emergence: Learners can construct longer sentences and express ideas more freely.

   • Intermediate Fluency: Learners develop more complex language skills and can engage in meaningful conversations.

   • Advanced Fluency: Learners achieve near-native proficiency.

     The goal of our courses is thus to mimic the natural language acquisition process without overwhelming the learner with long and tedious lessons but ensuring gradual gains so that he/she remains committed to his/her fluency goal. 

5. Meaningful Interaction
   Instead of rote memorization of single words and grammar rules over and over, the Natural Method encourages activities that involve real-world communication to help retain information. This is why we have included storytelling and role-playing scenarios that simulate everyday situations, with exercises that allow the learner to understand his/her current level and thus improve upon specific elements.

EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE

If you are serious about learning Norwegian, we recommend that you download the Complete Norwegian Master Course.

You will receive all the information available on the website in a convenient portable digital format as well as additional contents: over 15.000 Vocabulary Words and Useful Phrases, in-depth explanations and exercises for all Grammar Rules, exclusive articles with Cultural Insights that you won't find in any other textbook so you can amaze your Norwegian friends and business partners thanks to your knowledge of their country and history.

With a one-time purchase you will also get hours of Podcasts to Practice your Norwegian listening skills as well as Dialogues with Exercises to achieve your own Master Certificate.

Start speaking Norwegian today!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Top 5 reasons to learn Norwegian:

1. It's Fun! Join a Unique Club
   Norwegian is a fascinating and distinctive language that offers learners a fresh perspective with its clear pronunciation, melodic intonation, and logical grammar. As a North Germanic language, it provides an accessible entry point to the Scandinavian languages while still feeling unique and rewarding to learn. Norwegian is spoken by around 5 million people, making it a relatively small language community. Learning Norwegian feels like joining a special club—few people outside Scandinavia speak it, which makes it a valuable and distinctive skill.

2. Gain a Deeper Understanding of Scandinavian History and Culture
   Learning Norwegian opens the door to a rich cultural and historical heritage shaped by the Vikings, medieval kingdoms, the Kalmar Union, and Norway’s long relationship with Denmark and Sweden. From Norse mythology and Viking exploration to modern social democracy and contemporary culture, Norway has preserved a strong national identity rooted in both tradition and innovation. Understanding the language allows you to engage more deeply with Norwegian literature, history, and way of life.

3. Norwegians Appreciate When You Speak Their Language
   Norwegians generally speak excellent English, but they truly appreciate it when foreigners make the effort to learn their language. Even simple phrases can create a warmer and more personal connection. A friendly “Hei!” (Hello!) or “Takk!” (Thank you!) often leads to more open conversations and positive interactions, especially outside major cities or in social and professional settings.

4. Business Opportunities in a Strong and Innovative Economy

   Norway has a stable, prosperous economy with strong opportunities in sectors such as energy (including renewables), maritime industries, technology, aquaculture, and engineering. Known for high standards, innovation, and a transparent business environment, Norway is an attractive destination for international professionals and companies. Learning Norwegian can give you a competitive advantage when working with local partners, integrating into the workplace, and building long-term professional relationships.

5. Visit Norway for a Memorable and Breathtaking Experience
   Norway is a spectacular travel destination, famous for its dramatic fjords, northern lights, mountain landscapes, and unspoiled nature. From vibrant cities like Oslo and Bergen to remote Arctic regions and coastal villages, the country offers unforgettable experiences year-round. Whether you’re hiking, cruising through fjords, or exploring Nordic culture, knowing Norwegian enriches your travel experience and helps you connect more deeply with the people and places you encounter.

Why learn Norwegian?

How much does it cost to learn Norwegian?

Norwegian Mobile Apps

Mobile apps have become one of the most popular entry points for learning Norwegian in recent years, especially among young people, due to their accessibility on phones. These apps allow learners to repeat basic vocabulary on the go, through gamified systems that aim to keep learners engaged to sell them as many ads as possible. No one has ever really become fluent in Norwegian by using these apps but they can make daily studying more approachable, especially for people that are not completely sure if they want to commit to a more comprehensive language course.

Costs:
Many apps (e.g., Duolingo, Babbel, Pimsleur, Rosetta Stone) use paid monthly subscriptions averaging $20/month without ads or one life-time purchase for $200-$600.

Pros:

• Self-paced content great for daily bite-sized repetition.

• Fun language based games with flashy animations.

• Good for absolute beginners to decide if interested.

Cons:

• Quality and depth are overall quite low.

• Subscription costs can accumulate quickly unless you opt for a lifetime deal.

• Gamification makes it seem like you are progressing when you actually aren't.

Norwegian Textbooks

Textbooks are a cost-effective and time tested resource for studying Norwegian, or any language for that matter, just like when you were at school. Their adoption in academic settings has brought a lot of needless information into these books which on the contrary should be strictly practical. Textbooks offer a fixed progression with lots of grammatical terms and scholarly explanations that risks making the learning process feel like a chore. As with mobile apps, it is impossible to actually become fluent in the Norwegian language with one single textbook, due to the lack of real life practice and interactivity, which is why even the most diligent learners only achieve a basic language level. 

Costs:

Text-only textbooks cost around $20-$35 per volume. These usually include grammar explanations, vocabulary lists and exercises but do not provide any listening material. Textbooks with good quality accompanying audio resources are available for about $50-$60.

Pros:

• One-time cost, no ongoing fees.

• Textbooks with audio build solid grammar and listening comprehension.

• Ideal for structured, self-paced study.

Cons:

• Audio may be outdated or limited (if included at all).

• Less interactive, needs self-discipline.

• Might lack cultural/contextual immersion.

Studying Norwegian at a University

University programs provide the most academically rigorous and comprehensive Norwegian training. You will become fluent if you attend the courses and get a degree. These courses require many years of commitment and are best suited for those pursuing careers directly connected to the knowledge of the Norwegian language like translators or teachers, which given the current state of the market might not be the wisest career choices, especially since you will be competing with native speakers that do not require any formal training to speak their mother tongue. 

Costs:
Tuition fees for foreign students in Norway vary depending on the institution. Public universities traditionally offered free education to all students, but recent policy changes mean that non-EU/EEA students may now be charged tuition, typically ranging from US $8,000 to US $15,000 per year, depending on the degree and university. Private institutions generally charge higher fees.

Monthly living expenses in Norway are significantly higher than in Central Europe, usually between US $1,200 and US $1,800, especially in major cities like Oslo, Bergen, or Trondheim. Rent for a shared student apartment typically costs US $500–US $800 per month, while food and groceries average around US $350–US $450. Public transport passes for students vary by city but usually range from US $40 to US $60 per month.

While Norway offers high-quality education and excellent student support services, the overall yearly cost of living and tuition can range from US $20,000 to US $30,000, depending on program, city, and lifestyle.

Pros:

• Deep, structured academic immersion.

• Degree qualification or recognized certifications.

• Full immersion thanks to real Norwegian speakers and situations that require language use.

Cons:

• Time-intensive and long-term commitment with limited professional opportunities compared to other degrees.

• Costs of living in Norway add up quickly.

• Difficult to find Norwegian university courses outside of Norway.

Online Norwegian Courses

Online courses represent the most time and cost effective solution, with a personalised and immersive approach to language learning, thanks to structured lessons guided by professional teachers. When taken online these classes allow students to interact with their teachers in real time, providing opportunities for conversation practice, immediate feedback and progress tracking. Online courses come with three major downsides due to the extremely high costs of private tuition especially for beginners, varying teaching quality that depends on the individual teacher's experience and the fact that they don't allow the flexibility of other significantly cheaper self-study alternatives.

Costs:
Average Norwegian 10-week course online with 3-5 live sessions costs US $600-$1,000/month

Private Tutors (available on Preply or Italki) cost US $10–$100 per hour, depending on the teacher’s qualifications

Pros:

• Highly interactive with real-time feedback.

• Customization, especially with one-on-one sessions.

• Accountability and access to experienced teachers.

Cons:

• Very expensive with no guarantee of success.

• Lower flexibility compared to mobile apps or self-study since it depends on teacher's schedule.

• Teaching quality may vary greatly between tutors.

How difficult is Norwegian?

The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the United States Department of State classifies Norwegian as a Category I language, meaning it is among the easier languages for native English speakers to learn. Because of its close linguistic relationship to English, Norwegian typically requires fewer study hours compared to most other European languages.

Several factors contribute to the relative ease of learning Norwegian for English speakers:

Familiar Vocabulary – As a Germanic language, Norwegian shares a substantial number of cognates with English, making new words immediately recognizable. For example:

• Venn (friend) – similar to “friend” due to common Germanic roots

• Sommer (summer) – nearly identical to English

• Hus (house) – clearly resembles “house”

Straightforward Grammar – Norwegian grammar is known for its simplicity. One of the biggest advantages is that verbs do not conjugate according to person, making them much easier to master:

• Jeg går (I walk)

• Du går (you walk)

• Han/hun går (he/she walks)

The verb form remains the same in every case.

Regular Pronunciation and Spelling – Norwegian spelling is largely phonetic. Once learners become familiar with the sounds of the alphabet, they can usually pronounce new words correctly with minimal guesswork.

Consistent Word Order – Norwegian generally follows a sentence structure similar to English: Subject–Verb–Object. Although it occasionally uses V2 word order (placing the verb in the second position), the overall structure remains predictable and easy to acquire.

Mutual Intelligibility – A significant added benefit is that learners of Norwegian often gain passive understanding of Swedish and Danish as well, providing access to a wider Scandinavian language sphere without additional courses.

Our Norwegian language course is designed to help you progress quickly by taking full advantage of the language’s natural accessibility. Rather than overwhelming you with grammar rules, our method emphasizes real-life communication from the very beginning. You will learn to speak, understand, and engage confidently in everyday conversations—often within just a few weeks of starting the course.

Why can't I improve in Norwegian?

One of the biggest obstacles to learning Norwegian is not necessarily the grammar—it is the uneven availability of learning resources, especially for students trying to progress from the beginner level to a solid intermediate or advanced level. While there are many introductory materials, learners often discover that comprehensive, structured, and high-quality intermediate resources are harder to find. This is partly because Norwegian, despite being relatively easy to learn, has a smaller global learner community compared to major world languages.

Unlike languages such as Japanese or Korean, whose global popularity has been boosted by powerful pop-culture exports like anime or K-dramas, Norwegian media has had limited international reach, with a few exceptions such as Nordic noir TV series or crime literature. As a result, the global demand for Norwegian learning materials has remained modest. Fewer learners means fewer publishers, course creators, and educational platforms investing in robust, multi-level Norwegian programs.

This challenge is compounded by the fact that Norwegian is spoken primarily in Norway, with only small diaspora communities abroad. While languages like Spanish, French, or Arabic have vast speaker populations across several continents, Norwegian is geographically concentrated, making real-world immersion and conversation practice harder to access for learners outside Scandinavia.

We recognize that the limited availability of high-quality intermediate and advanced Norwegian learning resources can slow your progress, and our mission is to close that gap by providing structured content that helps you move confidently beyond the basics.

If you have suggestions for future lessons or articles, feel free to contact us at pr@norwegianinstitute.com — we’d love to hear your ideas and create content tailored to your learning goals!

Should I learn Norwegian, Swedish or Danish?

Choosing between Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish depends on your goals, interests, and where you see yourself using the language. All three belong to the North Germanic language family and are highly interconnected, but each offers different advantages in terms of culture, practicality, and accessibility.

Norwegian, spoken by around 5.5 million people, is often considered the most accessible of the three for learners. Its pronunciation sits somewhere between Danish and Swedish, which makes it a natural “bridge” language. Written Norwegian—especially Bokmål—is close to Danish in spelling, while its spoken form often resembles Swedish. Because of this, many learners find that knowing Norwegian gives them passive understanding of both Danish and Swedish, making it the most practical choice if you want broad comprehension across Scandinavia.

Danish, with about 5.8 million speakers, is the most widely used language in Denmark and also in Greenland and the Faroe Islands. It has a long literary tradition and historically dominated the region as an administrative language. Danish is particularly useful if you are interested in business, design, or cultural life in Copenhagen or other major Danish cities. The grammar and vocabulary are very similar to Norwegian, but the pronunciation is considered the most challenging among the Scandinavian languages due to its soft consonants and reduced vowels.

Swedish, spoken by roughly 10 million people, is the largest Scandinavian language by number of speakers and the official language of Sweden as well as a co-official language in Finland. It is highly practical if you want maximum opportunities for work, study, or cultural immersion, since Sweden has a major international footprint in music, technology, design, and social innovation. Swedish is generally considered easier to pronounce than Danish and has a melodic intonation that many learners find appealing.

If your main interest is maximum cross-Scandinavian understanding, Norwegian is the strongest choice. If you’re drawn to design, business culture, and a historically influential language, Danish may be the best fit. If you want to immerse yourself in a large, dynamic, internationally recognized society, Swedish is the most practical option.

Ultimately, the best choice comes down to which culture resonates with you most, because all three languages are deeply connected, rich in heritage, and rewarding to learn in their own way.

Is Norwegian similar to other languages?

Norwegian belongs to the North Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family, alongside Swedish, Danish, Icelandic, and Faroese. Unlike non-Indo-European languages such as Finnish or Hungarian, Norwegian shares a common linguistic ancestry with most European languages, particularly English and German. This makes Norwegian relatively accessible for learners familiar with other Germanic languages, while still retaining its own distinctive features in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.

Although Norwegian is firmly Germanic in origin, centuries of contact with neighboring cultures and languages have introduced a wide range of loanwords into its vocabulary. Norwegian has borrowed from:

Danish – Due to several centuries of political union with Denmark, Danish has had a profound influence on Norwegian, especially on its written forms (Bokmål) and formal vocabulary.

Arbeid (work) – from Danish arbejde
By (city) – from Danish by

Low German – Through trade and the influence of the Hanseatic League, many Low German words entered Norwegian, particularly in commerce, urban life, and everyday activities.

Kjøpmann (merchant) – from Low German koopman
Skole (school) – via Low German from Latin schola

German – Later contact with German-speaking regions introduced additional vocabulary, particularly in administration, culture, and technology.

Kunst (art) – from German Kunst
Arbeidsplass (workplace) – influenced by German compounds

Latin and Greek – As in most European languages, Norwegian has adopted many scientific, medical, legal, and academic terms from Latin and Greek, often via Danish or German.

Universitet (university) – from Latin universitas
Teori (theory) – from Greek theōría

French and English – French influenced Norwegian through diplomacy, culture, and fashion, while modern English has become a major source of loanwords, especially in technology, business, and popular culture.

Meny (menu) – from French menu
Data / Computer – from English

How to become fluent in Norwegian in 30 days?

Here are 5 proven methods that we have developed as language learners (not only as teachers!) that will help you achieve complete mastery of Norwegian language within 30 days:

• 1. Immerse Yourself Completely

  • Surround Yourself: Change the language on your phone, computer, tv, console, etc. and read only news and articles in Norwegian. Seeing the language everyday will force your brain to adapt and remember.

  • Engaging Content: Listen to native music, radio stations, song playlists, watch original Norwegian movies and other series (if Norwegian voiceover or subs are available).  This will not only help you master the language faster but you will also learn about the Culture and History of Norway. This will help you stay motivated and reduce the initial frustration. 

  • Make Mistakes: Travel to Norway and don't be afraid to engage with the locals. People will be amazed at your efforts to learn their language! Don't be afraid to speak, because the more mistakes you make the quicker you will progress.  

  2. Focus on the Most Useful Words and Phrases

  • Study Efficiency: Learn the top 2,000 Vocabulary words in the language, as they often cover 80-90% of everyday conversations. Learning takes time but that doesn't mean it has to take very long to see results.

  • Real Conversations: Start by practising with Common phrases you'll actually use in real-life situations, like greetings, ordering food, asking for directions, etc.

  3. Use Memorization Techniques 

  • Spaced Repetition: Our Courses are based on spaced spaced repetition systems (SRS) to help you memorize words and grammar in the long term and with miminal effort by showing them to you in progression.

  • Mnemonic Devices: trick your brain and speed up the learning process by trying to think of an example or "story" for each new word / expression you struggle to remember.

  4. Learn the Language based on the Context

  • Practice Makes Perfect: Remember that your grammar doesn't have to be perfect as long as you can be understood! There is no shame in using simple phrases to get you point across.

  • Shadowing Technique: Repeat in your head after native speakers in real-time while listening or watching videos with original subtitles to improve your comprehension.

     

  5. Consistency is Everything

  • Daily Practice: Even just 30 minutes a day is more effective than sporadic, long day study sessions. Take breaks often when reading and always have fun to increase productivity.

  • Compound Results: Small, achievable goals like reading 5 pages daily, or even just watching a single movie or series episode in Norwegian every evening produce results over time if you don't see them immediately.

EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE

If you are serious about learning Norwegian, we recommend that you download the Complete Norwegian Master Course.

You will receive all the information available on the website in a convenient portable digital format as well as additional contents: over 15.000 Vocabulary Words and Useful Phrases, in-depth explanations and exercises for all Grammar Rules, exclusive articles with Cultural Insights that you won't find in any other textbook so you can amaze your Norwegian friends and business partners thanks to your knowledge of their country and history.

With a one-time purchase you will also get hours of Podcasts to Practice your Norwegian listening skills as well as Dialogues with Exercises to achieve your own Master Certificate.

Start speaking Norwegian today!