https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Norway in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed The concept of 'språkkafé', or language cafés, has gained popularity in Norway as a way to connect with local people and practise your Norwegian. How do these social spaces for foreigners actually help, what can you get out of them, and are they worth your time? https://www.thelocal.no/20260306/do-norways-sprakkafe-language-cafes-actually-work Fri, 06 Mar 2026 14:23:53 +0100 do-norways-sprakkafe-language-cafes-actually-work Visiting a Norwegian supermarket can be a slightly challenging experience if you're unfamiliar with the language. That's why we've prepared a simple guide to help you find a great 'tilbud' (special offer) faster. https://www.thelocal.no/20250116/the-norwegian-vocabulary-you-need-when-you-visit-a-supermarket Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:59:55 +0100 the-norwegian-vocabulary-you-need-when-you-visit-a-supermarket Norway has established an expert committee to reform language training for adult immigrants, after the government admitted that current integration efforts have "not been successful enough." https://www.thelocal.no/20260429/norway-to-review-language-training-services-for-immigrants-to-boost-employment Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:27:19 +0200 norway-to-review-language-training-services-for-immigrants-to-boost-employment Few things are as straightforward as saying hello in Norwegian. However, that doesn't mean that you don't have a number of options to do so, depending on the circumstances. https://www.thelocal.no/20240909/hei-heissan-hva-skjer-how-many-ways-can-you-say-hello-in-norwegian Mon, 09 Sep 2024 16:13:02 +0200 hei-heissan-hva-skjer-how-many-ways-can-you-say-hello-in-norwegian They are free, social, and often fill up within minutes. Språkkafées have quietly become some of Norway’s most popular places for integration, but what actually goes on inside? https://www.thelocal.no/20260228/what-is-a-sprakkafe-and-why-is-it-so-popular-in-norway Sat, 28 Feb 2026 07:42:23 +0100 what-is-a-sprakkafe-and-why-is-it-so-popular-in-norway When moving to Norway, many foreigners find themselves asking "Do I really need to learn Norwegian?", writes Mari Wachelke. Here three different language learners explain why they stuck at it. https://www.thelocal.no/20250605/i-was-tired-of-not-understanding-is-it-really-worth-the-effort-to-learn-norwegian Thu, 05 Jun 2025 12:20:11 +0200 i-was-tired-of-not-understanding-is-it-really-worth-the-effort-to-learn-norwegian If you're living in or visiting Norway, you're bound to end up talking about the weather. A lot. https://www.thelocal.no/20250423/the-essential-vocabulary-for-talking-about-the-weather-in-norway Wed, 23 Apr 2025 18:10:16 +0200 the-essential-vocabulary-for-talking-about-the-weather-in-norway Learning Norwegian can seem like an intimidating prospect. The Local asked Norwegian language expert Tor Mæhre for his top three tips to help you learn Norwegian more efficiently. https://www.thelocal.no/20230303/a-language-experts-three-tips-for-learning-norwegian Fri, 03 Mar 2023 16:59:08 +0100 a-language-experts-three-tips-for-learning-norwegian "Snø" doesn't even begin to cover it. Norwegians use different words for snow depending on where they are from, and whether they're discussing the weather, driving conditions or cross-country skiing. https://www.thelocal.no/20241120/winter-vocabulary-the-many-many-norwegian-words-for-snow Wed, 20 Nov 2024 16:33:07 +0100 winter-vocabulary-the-many-many-norwegian-words-for-snow At first glance, the absence of the word "please" in the Norwegian language can surprise newcomers to the country. But does that mean the locals are impolite? https://www.thelocal.no/20230425/why-never-saying-please-doesnt-make-norwegians-rude Tue, 25 Apr 2023 14:27:17 +0200 why-never-saying-please-doesnt-make-norwegians-rude Foreigners living and raising children in Norway, might want them to become native speakers of at least two languages. We asked our readers to share their tips and experiences. https://www.thelocal.no/20240409/dont-let-anything-put-you-off-how-foreigners-in-norway-raise-bilingual-kids Tue, 09 Apr 2024 19:13:28 +0200 dont-let-anything-put-you-off-how-foreigners-in-norway-raise-bilingual-kids The Local Sweden's Deputy Editor, Becky Waterton, who speaks fluent Danish and Swedish (and understands Norwegian), gives her best tips for how to learn to understand the other Scandinavian languages if you already speak one of them. https://www.thelocal.no/20230508/how-to-turn-the-scandinavian-language-you-are-learning-into-three Mon, 08 May 2023 19:32:28 +0200 how-to-turn-the-scandinavian-language-you-are-learning-into-three Raising children in Norway to speak two, three or even four languages is a huge task, but the benefits can be huge, as several international parents explain. https://www.thelocal.no/20250908/the-challenges-and-rewards-of-raising-multilingual-kids-in-norway Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:28:15 +0200 the-challenges-and-rewards-of-raising-multilingual-kids-in-norway Regardless of the country in which you find yourself, the ability to call out nonsense – loosely termed as "bullsh*t" – is invaluable. Here's how to do it in Norwegian. https://www.thelocal.no/20241022/how-to-call-bullsht-in-norwegian Tue, 22 Oct 2024 17:09:14 +0200 how-to-call-bullsht-in-norwegian From September 1st, Norway will raise the spoken language requirement for permanent residency from level A1 to A2 or higher on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) scale—a change that’s drawing mixed responses from those preparing for the test. https://www.thelocal.no/20250716/a-reasonable-level-foreigners-in-norway-relaxed-about-new-language-demand Wed, 16 Jul 2025 11:21:45 +0200 a-reasonable-level-foreigners-in-norway-relaxed-about-new-language-demand Whether you're new to a Norwegian-speaking office or simply looking to improve your language skills, these phrases will help you in your journey towards success in a new office environment. https://www.thelocal.no/20231009/53-phrases-to-help-you-get-by-in-a-norwegian-speaking-office Mon, 09 Oct 2023 13:21:20 +0200 53-phrases-to-help-you-get-by-in-a-norwegian-speaking-office You don’t need a faultless accent and broad vocabulary to convince people of your Norwegian credentials, as there are a few quirky interjections you can make to fake fluency. https://www.thelocal.no/20250311/strange-noises-you-can-make-in-norwegian-to-sound-like-a-local Tue, 11 Mar 2025 11:44:35 +0100 strange-noises-you-can-make-in-norwegian-to-sound-like-a-local When the Lingu language school offered to give Mari Wachelke a mock version of the new test of spoken Norwegian required for permanent residency, she jumped at the chance. She describes how it went and what she found out. https://www.thelocal.no/20250718/i-took-a-mock-version-of-the-new-norwegian-oral-exam Fri, 18 Jul 2025 11:54:19 +0200 i-took-a-mock-version-of-the-new-norwegian-oral-exam Mastering the Norwegian language involves overcoming numerous hurdles, big and small. Being aware of these pitfalls can help you on your road to fluency. https://www.thelocal.no/20230522/the-most-common-mistakes-you-are-likely-to-make-when-learning-norwegian Mon, 22 May 2023 13:23:08 +0200 the-most-common-mistakes-you-are-likely-to-make-when-learning-norwegian Norwegians are rarely happier than when doing or talking about practical projects, making DIY and home improvement a useful topic for bonding. Here are some of the words you will need to know to join in. https://www.thelocal.no/20250616/gjor-det-selv-essential-vocabulary-for-talking-about-diy-in-sweden Mon, 16 Jun 2025 17:00:47 +0200 gjor-det-selv-essential-vocabulary-for-talking-about-diy-in-sweden