Why Learn Norwegian?

If you’re considering the Norwegian language, there are countless reasons to choose from. For many people, the allure of Norway's stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture serves as a significant motivator. Norway is known for its breathtaking fjords, northern lights, and picturesque villages, all of which attract millions of tourists each year. Plus, authors like Karl Ove Knausgaard and Henrik Ibsen can be better understood by exploring their works in their native language. By learning Norwegian, you can enhance their travel experiences and gain deeper insights into the traditions and lifestyle of the Norwegian people.

Norway boasts a high standard of living, a robust economy, and a strong focus on sustainability and innovation, making it an attractive destination for professionals seeking job opportunities. Learning Norwegian can open doors to career prospects in various fields, including technology, engineering, and environmental science, as many companies in Norway seek employees who can communicate effectively in the local language. And Norwegian can also provide a foothold in the Scandinavian countries in general, because it’s largely mutually intelligible with Swedish and Danish.

If you’re curious about how Babbel can help you learn Norwegian, you can try it out right away with a free lesson. Or, you can read on to learn more about the language and the best way to go about learning.

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The Benefits Of Learning Norwegian Online

For most of human history, it was hard to learn a language unless you were living close to people who spoke it. That slowly changed, but the arrival of the internet has entirely revolutionized the way to learn. You don’t have to just hope you have a Norwegian speaker living in your neighborhood. 

Online platforms allow individuals to study at their own pace and on their own schedule, making it easier to fit language learning into busy lives. Whether you’re a student, a working professional, or someone with family commitments, the ability to access lessons and resources at any time means you can tailor your learning experience to suit your personal circumstances.

Another key benefit of learning Norwegian online is the vast array of resources available. From interactive language learning apps like Babbel to online courses and YouTube channels, learners have access to a wealth of materials that cater to different learning styles. This diversity allows you to choose the methods that resonate most with you, whether you prefer structured lessons, immersive videos, or engaging games. 

What You’ll Get Out Of Babbel’s Norwegian Lessons

Classroom instruction with a teacher and other students is the most traditional approach to learning Norwegian. But what if you had the classroom in your pocket? Babbel offers flexible online Norwegian courses at all levels with a free first lesson (on every course, not just one!). The best way to see what Babbel has to offer is to try it out, so here are a few features that will help you on your way to mastering Norwegian.

  1. Voice Recognition — Speaking a new language to another person can be daunting, which is why being able to practice your pronunciation is so important. From the very first lesson, Babbel will have you speaking useful words and phrases in Norwegian. The AI Speech Recognition feature then gives you feedback so you can feel confident you’re getting it right.

  2. Grammar Tips — Babbel doesn’t just drop you into Norwegian without any guidance. For every new concept you encounter, the lesson will break down exactly how it works so you’re able to build your knowledge of the language over time.

  3. Cultural Insights — Learning Norwegian isn’t only about memorising vocab and grammar. The language is intertwined with the history of Norway and all the people who speak it, which is why Babbel includes cultural insights throughout the lessons. If you’re looking for more on that, there are also entire units devoted to Norwegian traditions.

  4. Review — Babbel’s Review feature is designed to make sure you’re moving Norwegian from short-term to long-term memory. Each word and phrase you encounter in the lessons is moved to Review, where you can go and practice the terms over time using the strategy of spaced repetition. You’ll get to watch your vocabulary grow over time!

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A Brief Norwegian Course: The Best Tips To Learn Norwegian Quickly

Norwegian is a relatively accessible language for English speakers, as it shares many similarities with English, particularly in vocabulary and grammar. It is still a challenge, but there are many aspects in the language that will be straight-forward to you. With that in mind, here are our best tips for learning the language. 

  • Practice every day. You may be tired of getting this advice, but learning a language is not something that happens overnight. Creating a regular Norwegian habit is the most important thing for your long-term success. Even just doing one of Babbel’s short lessons a day will 

  • Focus on cognates. Because they’re both Germanic languages, Norwegian and English share a decent amount of vocabulary. Even if you’re not ready to read books in Norwegian, you might be surprised how much you can get out of reading articles or other short texts in the language. These cognates make it easy to create a solid foundation of Norwegian words early on. But also, beware of false friends.

  • Learn each word’s gender. Norwegian has three grammatical genders, meaning each word is considered masculine, feminine, or neuter. This can be tricky for an English speaker not used to it, and learning the indefinite article for each new vocab word you come across is really the only way to master this topic. There are a few rules that Babbel will teach you as well, but there’s no exact guide to which word is which gender.

  • Explore Bokmål and Nynorsk. Unlike English, Norwegian has two different writing systems, which can seem strange to a new learner. The good news is that Bokmål is far more commonly used, and it’s what you’ll learn with Babbel. Still, Nynorsk also has legal status in Norway, and so it’s worth understanding the differences between the two.

  • “Immerse” yourself from home. You’ve probably heard that immersion is one of the best ways to learn a language, but you don’t necessarily have to book a trip to Norway to experience immersion. Adding more Norwegian content to your life over time is a great way to start building your skills. Watching Norwegian TV shows, listening to podcasts, reading books, and even changing the language settings on your phone will give you extra chances to practice the language.

Learn Norwegian With The Babbel App

Choosing to learn Norwegian with Babbel offers a unique and effective approach to language learning. Babbel's interactive and engaging platform is designed to cater to learners of all levels, providing structured lessons that focus on real-life conversations and practical vocabulary. With a strong emphasis on speaking and listening skills, Babbel ensures that users build confidence in their ability to communicate in Norwegian from the very beginning.

No matter why you’re learning Norwegian, Babbel will be there with you on every step of the way. What are you waiting for? Get started today!

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