Article: Learning Norwegian in Stavanger: Johanes Læringssenter
Article: Learning Norwegian in Stavanger: Folkeuniversitetet

Norway has three official languages, Bokmål, (‘Book Language’), Nynorsk (‘New Norwegian’) and the Sámi language. Sámi is completely separate and only taught in Norwegian schools with Sámi pupils. The most commonly used is Bokmål which is heavily influenced by Danish, used in most written works and spoken by more than 80% of the population, especially those living in urban areas. It is the main language of instruction and broadcasting. Nynorsk was created in the mid-19th century and combines many rural dialects; legislation requires that it must be used in a certain percentage of schools and broadcast media.

Around the country some 272 dialects of the Norwegian language continue to be spoken in rural areas. The Sámi minority people of North Norway speak their own languages but also learn Norwegian in school. Although Danes, Swedes and Norwegians can understand each other’s languages, only 4 million people in the world speak Norwegian.

English is taught in all Norwegian schools and is spoken widely as a foreign language. Most Norwegians speak good English. However some Norwegians can be quite reluctant to speak English in front of other Norwegians due to their shyness. With the large expat and immigrant population in Stavanger, you most probably will be able to find some people from your country to introduce you to the languages.

Helpful Sites
Verb of the Day
Grammar Help
Norsk Grammatikk (Norwegian Grammer exercises)

Teaching Yourself
These site provides online exercises for free.
På Vei(Level 1, beginner’s textbook)
Stein På Stein (Level 2, after På Vei)
Her På Berget (Level 3, after Stein På Stein)

Language Schools

Folkeuniversitet
Folkeuniversitetet Stavanger
Postboks 650
4003 Stavanger
51 93 93 70

Folkeuniversitetet Sandnes
Pb 650
4003 Stavanger
51 93 93 70

Folkeuniversitetet Sola
PB 650
4003 Stavanger
51 93 93 70

Johanes Læringssenter
Haugesund Gate 27
4014 Stavanger
51 50 66 00
–Call for their registration hours
–Take passport with residence permit when registering for the first time

Aftenskolen
Nedre Strandgt. 27 – 3. etasje
4005 Stavanger
51 91 91 20

Norsk-fransk kultursenter
Løkkeveien 52
4008 Stavanger
51 53 82 40

Dyrskog Språkstudio (Personal Lessons)
Beverstien 7
4033 Forus
51 57 68 53

Trine Støle (Personal Lessons)