The Best Way To Learn Norwegian

Learning Norwegian is a time consuming process. You’ll want to make sure you are using your time as efficiently as possible. So what is the best way to learn Norwegian? We’ve compiled a list for you to check out in order to make sure you’re doing it the right way.

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Key takeaways

  • Set yourself up for success
  • Break the process down into smaller more achievable chunks
  • Use all the tools at your disposal
  • Digital resources are plentiful
  • Find others to talk with
  • Make sure you use the language daily and incorporate it in your daily routine
    Stay motivated

What is the best way to learn Norwegian?

Everyone learns in their own particular way. What may have worked for others, may not work for you. But there are some common paths to learning a language you’ll want to familiarize yourself with.

You’ll want to immerse yourself in the language. Watch TV or Movies in Norwegian. Read beginner books, listen to podcasts or radio shows, and most importantly, find others to speak Norwegian with. This will help the language stick in your brain.

Taking a language course is always a good idea. It’ll make you accountable, and even on the days you don’t feel like making an effort, it’ll be harder to say no because you’ve already committed. We offer conversation classes here, where you can practice your conversational Norwegian with other learners and native teachers.

There are plenty of language exchange programs you can look into. Try Social Media to find others who want to learn a language you already speak who might be able to help you with Norwegian. It’s a give and take relationship that also works great if you’re trying to make new friends!

Of course, you can also go the self-study route. There are A TON of resources online, from apps, to ebooks, podcasts, learning games etc. that’ll help you get going. It can also be a good idea to write journals in Norwegian to practice the language in different tenses.

Learning is often more fun and effective with others. Look for communities online with likeminded people that also want to learn Norwegian. Don’t know where to start? Check out our conversation classes! Here you’ll learn to use the language naturally and make friends along the way.

Most importantly though, have fun! Find a method that works for you and that you find motivating. Nothing is worse than feeling like you’re back in school being forced to do boring tasks by your teacher. We are lucky to live in a digital age where learning is varied. So find a way that works for you and dive in!

How do you set yourself up for success in learning Norwegian?

No matter which route you decide to go, you’ll want to maximize your chances of success. To do this you’ll want to avoid some of the common pitfalls that can hinder your Norwegian learning process.

Having unlimited resources online also comes with drawbacks. How do you know which ones are good and worthy of your time? You’ll want to read reviews of the resources you find and consider using. One sure fire way to success will always be speaking with others though.

But finding the right group of people might be a challenge. Check out our language courses here, and you’ll be placed in a group appropriate to your level and personality. This way we’ll ensure you get the most out of your time!

Organization is a key factor here. Deciding what you’ll study all willy nilly will net help you out in the long run. Create a study plan that builds on itself. By this we mean that you should start with the easiest stuff first and build on that. This way there is a structure to your learning, and you’ll always have a solid foundation to build upon.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was learning a new language. It can seem daunting if you listen to native speakers, and wonder how you’re ever going to get to that level. Breaking up your learning into bit sized goals, however, will help with your motivation, you’ll see clearer signs of progress, and will make the whole journey more fun.

Lastly, getting help from the pros is always smart. So why not consider taking a Norwegian course?  Having native speakers teach and guide you will not only make things easier, more structured and more official, it will also help you iron out any wrinkles you’re unaware of and make sense of the more confusing aspects of Norwegian.

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Learning The Basics

As with anything, you’ll need to start at the beginning. This might also be one of the most fun parts of learning Norwegian, as you’ll notice your progress skyrocketing! So where do you begin?

To speak Norwegian, you’ll need to be able to make the sounds of the language. So focus on pronunciation. What does the alphabet look like? What sounds do the letters make? Are there any combinations of letters that make a particular sound I should take note of? These are the questions you should be asking yourself.

After you know the alphabet and basic pronunciation, it’s time to learn some basic phrases. Learn to introduce yourself and ask others about themselves. Learn some numbers and where you are from. Think about situations where you’ll want to use Norwegian and learn common phrases for these situations. Things like ordering food at a restaurant or asking for directions on the street will help you in the beginning.

Studying grammar might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s essential. You don’t have to go super deep, but knowing the basic rules of syntax and verb conjugation will help you out tremendously. The rest you can sort of pick up through conversation and exposure.

This might be the most important part, but knowing what level you’re at will help you find the appropriate tools for your current level. So you’ll want to understand the various levels of Norwegian proficiency and where you currently are.

Use Technology

You will have plenty of tools at your disposal in order to learn Norwegian. It is important to switch up your strategy so it doesn’t become boring and repetitive. So use different forms of technology to learn. Luckily for you, there are tons of various resources available online. 

There are plenty of learning apps you can use. These will not make you all the way fluent, but they will allow you to learn a bunch of vocabulary, the basic grammar rules, and recognize the sounds of the language. Check out Babbel or Duolingo for their Norwegian courses.

If you’re anything like us, you probably spend a little too much time on social media. So why not follow some Norwegian language accounts? That way you’ll get some information even when you’re not actively looking for it. Give us a follow for tips not only on the language, but also Norwegian follow.

Watching Norwegian TV and movies will also be tremendously beneficial to you. You’ll hear Norwegian spoken in an authentic way, and eventually it’ll be more familiar to you. Additionally, it’ll give you plenty of insight into Norwegian culture.

Stay Motivated

Learning a new language is difficult. No matter how easy Norwegian might be to learn compared to other languages, it’s still difficult and there will be frustrating times. So it’s important to stay positive and celebrate the small wins. Even having a brief conversation at a restaurant is worth celebrating since it’s a step on the way to fluency.

You might also want to join a language learning community. You’ll quickly find out that you’re not alone in thinking some parts are difficult, and this will help you stay motivated. Interaction with others is also a sure fire way to see progress. One week you might not understand a lick of what someone is saying, but in a week or two it’ll make more sense. Way to go!

Keeping track of your progress is also a good way to measure how far you’ve come. As you move up in difficulty, it might feel like you’re not learning anything, but if you’ve kept journals, texts, conversations, you can go back and see the progress you’ve made. That’ll help you to keep pushing forward.

Building Your Vocabulary

No matter how much grammar you know, you’ll need the vocabulary in which to place it. So where exactly do you start? Well, you need to start with high frequency words. By this we mean words that are more common than others.

It might be cool to know very specific words, but you first need your getting around Norwegian. This can also vary depending on the reasons why you’re learning Norwegian. So if it’s for travel, look for high frequency words related to travel. Things like ordering food, asking for directions, simple get to know you questions etc. If it’s for work, learn high frequency words relevant to your field.

There are many ways for you to learn vocabulary, but one tried and true method is using flash cards. Studies show that writing things down makes them stick in your brain easier. You can combine your flash cards with memorization techniques, such as association or pictures to make the vocabulary easier to recall later on.

Lastly, you need to actually use the words. Even if it’s just talking to yourself in Norwegian while drinking your morning coffee, using the language will make it easier to remember. Of course, using your newly acquired vocabulary with others is the best way, so why not check out our conversation courses here to find other learners to converse with!

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Tips For Learning Norwegian Grammar

Still feel like learning Norwegian is a daunting task? Take a look at some of the most important grammar rules to get you started.

  • Word order:
    • Norwegian is a SVO or V2 language. This means the standard syntax is Subject→Verb→Object. Or the verb in the second spot. This can vary though depending on many variables.
  • Noun Gender:
    • Unlike English, Norwegian words are gendered. And unlike the latin languages like Spanish or Italian which have two genders, Norwegian has three! These are masculine, feminine and neutral. You’ll need to know what gender a noun has in order to know what article or ending to use with it in the definite or indefinite form.
  • Definite and indefinite nouns:
    • Definite nouns don’t have an article in front of them like in English, they instead get an ending tacked on. For masculine nouns, that ending is en, for feminine nouns it’s a. For neutral nouns the ending is et.
      • Mann (man) → Mannen
      • Dame (lady) → Dama
      • Barn (child) → Barnet
    • Indefinite nouns need an article in front of them. Think a or an in English. For masculine we say en, feminine nouns get ei, and neutral nouns get et.
      • Mann (man) → en mann
      • Dame (lady) → ei dame
      • Barn (child) → et barn
  • Adjectives:
    • Adjectives must agree with the number and gender of the noun they describe. So if you have a noun that is neutral or in the plural, the adjective must also have a neutral or plural ending.

There will be plenty of mistakes along the way though. Some of the most common ones are using the wrong article or ending for nouns. This is because unlike Spanish or Italian, there is no clear way to know if a noun is neutral, masculine or feminine. You just need to practice. Learners often also have problems with word order, as it can vary depending on a myriad of factors.

How important is practicing to improve your Norwegian language?

Practice is key in order to learn a new language. You may ace your Duolingo quiz, but if you don’t practice the language afterwards it’ll quickly leave your brain and be forgotten. 

 

So find opportunities to practice the language. Join a language exchange, watch or listen to Norwegian media. Find a friend to practice with. All of this will ensure the language remains in your mind and will not be forgotten after a day or two.

How can Incorporate Norwegian Into Your Daily Life?

Post it notes

So how do you do this? Well, in many ways. But the key is ensuring you use the language every day. Some ideas can be attaching post-it notes around your home or office with Norwegian vocabulary. Speak to yourself as you’re going through your daily routine. Find a class to ensure you have to use the language on a regular basis and prepare for your lessons.

Using the language everyday will ensure that you remember it. How many times do you feel like you’ve learned something new only to forget it a few days later? The way to avoid that is to constantly recall it and use it in your life. It will also tie the vocabulary and language to activities and other memories, which in turn, make it easier to recall.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Way To Learn Norwegian

What is the best way to learn Norwegian?

It depends on who you are, but making sure you’re enjoying the process is key. Make it fun and find ways to motivate yourself in order to ensure that you stick with it.

How can Incorporate Norwegian Into Your Daily Life?

Find others to speak with in order to use the language often. Use flash cards to write down vocabulary and remind yourself of common words. Look up common phrases and practice them either with yourself or with others.

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