Learn Norwegian Online
One of the fastest languages for English speakers. Expert tutors for Bokmål, business, and heritage Norwegian. Start with a $1 trial.
Why Learn Norwegian?
Bokmål vs Nynorsk — What Learners Need to Know
Norway has two official written standards. Bokmål ("book language") is used by approximately 85–90% of writers and is the default in Oslo, media, and business. Nynorsk ("new Norwegian") is more common in rural western regions and has roughly 10–15% of writers. Almost all learners start — and often stay — with Bokmål. Your Unox tutor will clarify which standard fits your goals.
4 Learning Paths
Bokmål Conversational
Master everyday spoken and written Bokmål — the standard used by 85% of Norwegian writers. Perfect for expats, remote workers, and travellers.
A1 – B2Norwegian for Business
Professional vocabulary, formal register, and business culture. Ideal for working with Norwegian companies or relocating to Oslo.
B1 – C1Scandinavian Gateway
Norwegian is the fastest route into all three Scandinavian languages. Once you read Bokmål, Swedish and Danish become largely intelligible.
A2 – B2Heritage Norwegian
For Norwegian-Americans and diaspora learners reconnecting with family language. Tutors experienced with Midwestern heritage speakers.
A1 – C2Meet Norwegian Tutors
Erik H.
Oslo
Bokmål Conversational & Standard Norwegian
Univ. of Oslo, Nordic Linguistics · 9 yrs
from $19/hr
Ingrid M.
Bergen
Western Dialects & Norwegian Phonetics
Univ. of Bergen, Norwegian Studies · 7 yrs
from $18/hr
Lars A.
Minneapolis
Heritage Norwegian & Diaspora Learners
St. Olaf College, Scandinavian Studies · 8 yrs
from $22/hr
CEFR Levels & Bergenstesten
The Bergenstesten is Norway's official language test for immigration and citizenship. Your tutor maps lessons to CEFR milestones.
| Level | Name | Can Do | Norwegian Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Beginner | Greetings, numbers, basic phrases | — |
| A2 | Elementary | Daily routines, family, shopping | — |
| B1 | Intermediate | Travel, work topics, opinions | Bergenstesten (pass threshold) |
| B2 | Upper-Intermediate | Nuanced conversation, news, literature | Bergenstesten (strong pass) |
| C1 | Advanced | Professional & academic Norwegian | Statsborgerprøven |
| C2 | Mastery | Native-level fluency & stylistics | — |
Your First 4 Weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
Bokmål or Nynorsk — which should I learn?
Start with Bokmål. About 85–90% of Norwegians write in Bokmål, it's the default in schools and broadcast media, and all major Norwegian companies use it. Nynorsk is primarily used in western counties and certain official contexts. Once you have solid Bokmål, reading Nynorsk is not a major leap.
How does Norwegian compare to Swedish and Danish?
Norwegian sits in the middle of the Scandinavian dialect continuum. Once you reach B1 in Norwegian (especially Bokmål), you can read Swedish and Danish with minimal extra study. Spoken intelligibility is highest between Norwegian and Swedish; Danish pronunciation takes more ear training.
Are Norwegian dialects a problem for learners?
Norway has strong regional dialect variation and no single spoken standard — Norwegians are simply taught to accept all dialects. Your tutor will teach you a clear, neutral form of Bokmål that you can understand anywhere. Exposure to dialect audio is built into higher-level lessons.
How long does it take to learn Norwegian?
The US Foreign Service Institute rates Norwegian at 575 class hours to professional working proficiency (S-3) — making it one of the fastest languages for English speakers, alongside Dutch and Swedish. With consistent study (5 hrs/week + 1-on-1 lessons), most learners reach B1 in 12–18 months.
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