If you’re dreaming of the day when you will finally be able to speak Norwegian, you’re in the right place. But in order to make that dream a reality, you’ll have to start building up your skills—which may seem daunting if you live in an area where the population of Norwegian speakers is low. Fortunately, thanks to the Internet, you can get started learning Norwegian from the comfort of your own home, no matter where you live, using these online resources.
Norwegian101 is filled with all kinds of helpful resources. They offer a free Norwegian course, complete with listening activities and study material equaling to over 100 pages, include links to Norwegian news and radio sites, and provide background on the language.
Norwegian on the Web, hosted by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, this is a great place to become an expert on the basics. The site features six chapters of grammar, vocab, and listening activities, with exercises for you to quiz yourself on the material.
Norwegian Lessons with Karin is a series of videos by a native Norwegian. Each video focuses on a different aspect of the language, from vocabulary to slang. It’s beneficial to take a look at videos like these since they are from an everyday native speaker. Your understanding will stretch beyond the grammar rules as you gain an insight on what the language is really like to those who speak it.
Norwegian—the tutorial is made for those who want a simple, straightforward lesson similar to a textbook. The site focuses on the introductory aspects of the language and presents the information in an easy-to-read format.
Online Dictionaries are useful once you feel like you’ve gotten the basics under control and want to start putting them to use. This dictionary offers you great English-Norwegian translations that will be a valuable tool in the quest to expand your working vocabulary.
LRNGO is a learning exchange site that offers users the opportunity to teach and be taught in return. By inputting the skills they can teach, those they wish to learn, and their location, users get a list of matches to connect with—both locally and virtually via Skype. This option gives you free, one-on-one learning time from an actual person who’s there to answer any of the questions that the Internet just can’t seem to answer for you.
Now you have no excuses. Get out there and start challenging yourself to learn a new language, and see which of the world’s doors it opens up to you!
Photo Credit: Travis Modisette
