The Best Way to Learn Norwegian as an English Speaker
Norwegian (norsk) is spoken by about 5 million people, in Norway. Here is what makes it hard, what makes it easier than it looks, and the plan that works.
The short answer
Norwegian is one of the easiest languages for English speakers. Learn Bokmål, use the free NTNU course or easy news for input, and practise speaking with a tutor so you get used to the many dialects.
Is Norwegian hard to learn?
The US Foreign Service Institute, which trains American diplomats, puts Norwegian in Category I, the easiest group (600 to 750 class hours). Norwegian is North Germanic, close to Danish and Swedish, and it uses Latin alphabet with æ, ø and å.
What makes it hard
- There are two written standards, Bokmål and Nynorsk, and many strong dialects that people use everywhere, including on TV.
- Norwegian has a pitch accent: some words differ only in their tone.
- Nouns have up to three genders, and the definite article goes at the end of the word (en bil, bilen).
What works in your favour
- Verbs do not change for person: jeg er, du er, han er (I am, you are, he is).
- A lot of basic vocabulary is close to English.
- Word order is similar to English in most simple sentences.
- Once you speak Norwegian, you can read Danish and understand much spoken Swedish.
How long does it take to learn Norwegian?
Professional working level takes 600 to 750 hours of study for an English speaker, according to the FSI. Those are hours in small, intensive classes. On your own, count on more.
At one hour a day, 600 hours is about 20 months. At 30 minutes a day, double it. You will hold simple conversations long before that: most learners manage everyday topics after three to six months of daily practice with a tutor.
The best way to learn Norwegian for free
- Norwegian on the Web (NTNU): a free online course from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
- Klar Tale: news in easy Norwegian.
- NRK: Norwegian public broadcasting, much of it with Norwegian subtitles.
Free material covers reading and listening well. Speaking is the gap: you need someone who answers back.
The best way to learn Norwegian online
One-on-one lessons with a native tutor are the fastest way to start speaking. You get corrected on the spot, you hear real pronunciation, and the lesson goes at your pace. Many tutors offer a cheap trial lesson, so you can try two or three before you pick one.
A beginner plan for your first month
- Week 1: Choose Bokmål (about 85 to 90 percent of Norwegians write it) and learn the pronunciation of the vowels æ, ø, å and y.
- Weeks 2 to 4: learn the 300 most common words and the basic sentence patterns, 20 to 30 minutes a day with flashcards and a course.
- Every day: 15 minutes of listening, even if you understand little. Your ear needs time before your mouth.
- From week 3: one or two short lessons a week with a native tutor, and easy reading at your level.
Can you learn Norwegian on Duolingo?
Yes, Duolingo has a Norwegian (Bokmål) course for English speakers, and it is one of the better ones for beginners.
Read Norwegian from the first week
Short stories with the English text next to the Norwegian let you read real sentences before you could manage them alone. You check the meaning without a dictionary and keep going.
Questions about learning Norwegian
What is the best way to learn Norwegian?
Norwegian is one of the easiest languages for English speakers. Learn Bokmål, use the free NTNU course or easy news for input, and practise speaking with a tutor so you get used to the many dialects.
Is Norwegian hard to learn for English speakers?
The US Foreign Service Institute puts Norwegian in Category I, the easiest group (600 to 750 class hours). The main hurdle: There are two written standards, Bokmål and Nynorsk, and many strong dialects that people use everywhere, including on TV.
How long does it take to learn Norwegian?
Reaching professional level takes 600 to 750 hours of study for an English speaker. At one hour a day that is roughly 20 to 25 months. Basic conversation comes much sooner, usually within the first few months of daily practice.
What is the best way to learn Norwegian for free?
Start with Norwegian on the Web (NTNU), Klar Tale, NRK. Add free native listening every day, and read easy texts at your level. Free resources cover reading and listening well; speaking is where a tutor or a language partner makes the difference.
Can you learn Norwegian on Duolingo?
Yes, Duolingo has a Norwegian (Bokmål) course for English speakers, and it is one of the better ones for beginners.
Should I learn Bokmål or Nynorsk?
Learn Bokmål. Most Norwegians write it, and most learning material uses it. You will learn to read Nynorsk easily later if you need it.
Is Norwegian easier than Swedish or Danish?
All three are in the easiest group for English speakers. Norwegian is often called the easiest of the three, because its pronunciation is closer to its spelling than Danish and its grammar is simple.
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