Latest news with #NorwegianDirectorateforHigherEducationandSkills
Local Norway
04-07-2025
- Local Norway
A1 to C2: What do the different levels of Norwegian mean for language learners?
English is commonly spoke by the majority of the Norwegian population, but to really integrate speaking Norwegian is essential. If you consider enrolling in a Norwegian class and it is your first time learning a foreign language, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ( CEFR ) has established different levels of proficiency to help track progress. READ ALSO: How to organise your language test for Norwegian citizenship or permanent residence Beginner If you are a newcomer to Norway you will probably linger at beginner A level for a while. But this is where you learn the basics, so it is very important to put all the effort to learn the grammar rules. At the A1 level, you'll be just starting out, using basic Norwegian phrases. You might be able to introduce yourself, ask simple questions, and understand basic instructions in Norwegian and name of objects of daily use. Moving up to A2, you'll be able to can handle simple, everyday situations and conversations. You'll be able to understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to subjects like shopping, family, work and local geography. Advertisement For the A2 Norwegian language test you might be requested to describe what you see on a picture the examiner shares, or answer a simple question such as 'talk about the weather'. You could be asked to discuss the topic with another student for around 2 to 3 minutes. Some practice tests on the listening, reading and writing parts can be found on the website of the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills, HK-dir). Intermediate level Intermediate Norwegian language learners will be at level B. For B1 you'll be expected to deal with most situations on topics that are familiar or of personal interest. You'll be comfortable travelling within Norway and perhaps even be able to joke in the language. It is at this level you'll learn to talk about health and working life, which could be important when heading to the doctor. Advertisement Under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), B1 level refers to an intermediate level and users 'can enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life'. For permanent residency and citizenship in Norway, language requirements can vary. Generally, you need to show proficiency at A2 or B1 level. READ ALSO: All you need to know about Norway's language tests foreign residents The exam Reaching B2 means you're becoming quite proficient, fluent and technical in Norwegian. If you are following a Norwegian course you will start learning about the environment, the Norwegian political system and the judiciary system, understanding the main ideas and reading complex texts. You'll be able to interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers possible, and even enjoyable. Some work places might require this level of proficiency. With a B level of Norwegian you should be able to take a position and argue your choices. In the exam you are requested to speak about whether you agree or disagree about a statement, for example 'Do you think Norwegian police should not carry weapons?' You'll then be expected to make your arguments. You should be able to talk fluidly for around 5 minutes. You can find a free B1-B2 trial test here and more practice tests on the HK-dir's website . Advanced level Not many people decide to study Norwegian beyond B2 as with this level you can get around just fine. If you're aiming to study at a Norwegian university, you typically need to demonstrate proficiency at the B2 level, but some studies might require C1, level. But if you need full proficiency for your job and want to really master the language, you would attend a course to enter the C level. At C1, your Norwegian will be advanced. You'll be able to understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. If you've reached C2 level, it means you've mastered Norwegian and understand virtually everything spoken or read. The Directorate's website has a full page dedicated to it.
Local Norway
08-05-2025
- Business
- Local Norway
What workers in Norway need to know about the 'fagbrev' certificate
What is a fagbrev The fagbrev is a Norwegian trade certificate awarded to those who have completed vocational training through a mix of practical work and education. It is called a craft certificate, or a journeyman's certificate in English. Someone who holds a fagbrev is considered a certified skilled worker, or fagarbeider in Norwegian. For Norwegians, a fagbrev is typically obtained after completing two years of vocational education at the upper secondary level and then a two-year apprenticeship. After they've completed these steps, they'll have to pass a final trade examination. A fagbrev can be awarded for trades such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical, health care, and much more. How can foreigners get a fagbrev ? For foreign workers in Norway, the two plus two route probably isn't a realistic prospect, given that they're already trained once to carry out their profession. Workers from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland or Sweden are able to get their vocational training verified by the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. Recognition is available for everything from butchery to bricklaying. You can see the full list of approved training here . There are several options for those without the option of getting their vocation approved. Firstly, it might be worth trying to contact NOKUT to see if you can have your qualifications approved in Norway. READ ALSO: How to get your qualifications recognised when you move to Norway Advertisement Meanwhile, if you have five years of experience, you could become a fagbrev candidate. You'll need to document your experience and take a few tests. The tests include a theory test and a practical test. You must have Norwegian skills at around the B1/B2 levels (considered semi-fluent) to pass the exam and understand the paperwork. Should you go through this process successfully, you will receive a fagbrev without retraining or studying in Norway, although some revision and practice will be needed for the exams. Another route is the fagbrev på jobb path. This sees people work full time and gradually gain their fagbrev through supervised training at work. This will take between one and three years, but it allows employees to continue to earn full pay while working to gain the certification. Why would I need the fagbrev ? Essentially, it'll improve your career opportunities and you can, generally, expect better pay after obtaining a fagbrev. When it comes to pay, there's no law saying that those with a fagbrev are entitled to better pay. However, companies will pay those with a fagbrev more, because it's a mark of skill and experience. Firms also pay out more because in certain sectors only employees with a fagbrev can work independently, making you more attractive to companies. Furthermore, those covered by a collective bargaining agreement will typically get a pay boost after obtaining a fagbrev . This is because they will be entitled to fagarbeiderlønn (skilled worker pay) through the union agreement.
Local Norway
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Local Norway
IN NUMBERS: How many people pass Norway's citizenship exam?
Between the time it takes you to meet the requirements and have your application processed, it'd be more than fair to say that the road to Norwegian citizenship is a long one. One of the key requirements, in addition to the residency rules, language requirements, identity verification, and the police background check, is passing the citizenship or social studies test. The more familiar test for most applicants will be the citizenship test, or Statsborgerprøven. Norway's citizenship test is a multiple-choice quiz that assesses your understanding of Norwegian history, the school system, politics, social norms, and geography. Applicants must take the test in Norwegian, and users will need to have language skills around the A2 level to understand the contents. Those with A2 proficiency are still considered basic users, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). There are 36 questions in the test. Only 32 questions are scored because some are "practice" questions. The test questions will not affect your overall score. To pass the test, you must answer 24 of the 32 eligible questions. The test centre will send you a certificate two to four weeks after you complete the test if you pass. READ ALSO: Everything you need to know about Norway's citizenship exam Advertisement What do the figures say? In 2024, 5,116 participants took the citizenship test across the country, according to figures from the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills . Of those, 92.5 percent of people who took the test passed. The figures showed that the counties of Akershus, Møre og Romsdal and Vestland had the highest pass rates. The pass rate in these counties was 95 percent, 94 percent and 94 percent respectively The lowest pass rate was in Telemark, where just 84 percent of the 111 candidates to take the test passed. Buskerud, with 355 candidates, had a pass rate of 89 percent. Meanwhile, Finnmark (49 candidates), Nordland (137 candidates), Troms (132) all had pass rates of 90 percent. Oslo had the most candidates, and 964 people took the citizenship test in the capital. 93 percent of those to take the test in Oslo passed. Below you can see a table of the full figures for 2024 Table on the pass rates for Norway's citizenship exams.
Local Norway
19-02-2025
- General
- Local Norway
How to organise your language test for Norwegian citizenship or permanent residence
For Members People applying for Norwegian citizenship or a permanent residence permit will need to prove their language skills by passing a test. Given there are only a few opportunities to take these exams per year, being organised pays off. Generally, these rules apply to non-EEA nationals, with those benefitting from the Freedom of Movement rules not needing a test. However, almost all citizenship applicants will need to prove their Norwegian language skills, and the most accepted way of doing this is the Norskprøve exam. The Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills puts the exams together, and when you register for the test, you can choose to take three levels: A1-A2, A2-B1 or B1-B2. You can choose to take all four sections of the exam, which are the reading test, listening test, writing test, and speaking test, or just a single module. What you need to book will depend on your situation. Registering for the test There are only a few opportunities to take the tests each year, typically in the spring, summer, winter and autumn. Furthermore, there are limited windows where one can actually register to take the test, too, meaning that if you miss one set of tests you'll have to wait a few months for your next opportunity to sign up. Given that tens of thousands of people apply for permanent residence and citizenship every year, slots get snapped up quickly. The first thing to know is that you can find out the next registration windows by heading to the website of the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. However, the registration portal, i.e. where you sign up for the exam won't be available until the registration window. These registration windows typically only last a few days. When the registration portal is open, you will select a test centre and choose the exams you wish (or have to) sit. Once you are registered you'll receive a confirmation via text and email. One thing to note is that you won't know the exact time you take your test until you receive an email or letter with all the details a couple of weeks before taking the exam. To make things tricky, registration is binding – meaning you must pay for the test. However, you can take it again later without paying if you are sick on the day. If you've signed up for all four sections, then the exams will be spread across a couple of days. Test results are sent as either an email or letter a few weeks after the test. Once the result is published, you will have a short window to appeal the result. Payment for the test While you book an exam through the central registration system, how much you will pay will depend on your local authority as the tests are organised locally. Depending on the test and the centre, the cost can range from 400 kroner to 2,500 kroner (or more in some cases). Those who are obligated to participate in Norwegian language tests as part of their residence can take the partial tests once for free. The good news is that it will be down to the text centre to organise the exams too. However, should you need to re-sit these tests, you must handle registration and payment yourself.
