Bijeta Rijal from USN and Natacha Coutanceau from the University of Paris Nanterre (UPN) were among the students who completed the second edition of Practical Norwegian 1 in spring 2026. For both of them, this was the beginning of a journey into everyday Norwegian life, culture, and new European student communities.
- Practical Norwegian 1: Micro Credential in Norwegian Language and Culture: A Beginner’s Course
For both Bijeta and Natacha, the course was about more than just grammar and vocabulary. It provided them with new tools to understand Norway, meet people, and feel more confident when facing a new language.
- Also read: Many want to learn Norwegian with EDUC
The next edition of Practical Norwegian 1 will start in autumn 2026, and it has now been developed into a micro-credential that awards 5 ECTS credits. The registration deadline is 27 August.
- Registration: EDUC Catalogue: Practical Norwegian 1
An important step into everyday Norwegian life
For Bijeta, who lives and studies in Norway, the motivation was clear.
– As an international student in Norway, my main motivation was to gain a better understanding of the language used in everyday life, and to become more familiar with Norwegian culture and society, she explains.
She also wanted to feel more confident in daily situations and more comfortable communicating with the people around her.
– Since language plays an important role in integration, I saw this course as an important step towards adapting to life in Norway.
For Natacha, the motivation was somewhat different. She does not live in Norway but has visited the country several times and plans to return.
– What motivated me was that I have visited Norway several times and want to travel back. Having access to a free Norwegian course was a very good opportunity, as there are few Norwegian courses in France, she says.
She also highlights that the course gave her a chance to practise English at the same time.
An inclusive and international learning environment
Both students describe the course as a positive experience.
– My experience of the course was very positive and educational. The learning environment was supportive and inclusive, and it was valuable to learn together with students from diverse backgrounds, says Bijeta.
She found the interactive sessions and group activities particularly useful.
– They made the learning process both engaging and motivating.
Natacha points to good organisation and a rich learning programme.
– The course was very well organised, with lots of learning material. It also provided a good foundation for finding relevant resources independently.
Pronunciation and oral comprehension were the most challenging
Learning Norwegian can be demanding, especially when encountering new sounds, pronunciation patterns, and dialects. For Bijeta, pronunciation and oral comprehension were the most challenging.
– At first, it was difficult to follow what the teacher said due to unfamiliar sounds and pronunciation patterns. When the teacher wrote the words down or explained them in writing, it became much easier to understand.
Gradually, she experienced clear progress.
– With more exposure and practice, I gradually became better at recognising common sounds and expressions.
Natacha says oral comprehension was also her biggest challenge.
– Norwegian is very different from Romance languages. I also find spoken English challenging, and Norwegian presents some of the same challenges for me.
A stronger connection to Norway
For Bijeta, the course has had a direct impact on how she experiences life in Norway.
– I have begun to recognise and understand common Norwegian words and expressions used in everyday life. This makes me feel more connected to my surroundings.
Although she is still a beginner, she notices that her Norwegian skills make everyday life easier.
– I can often understand the main content of conversations, which makes daily situations more comfortable.
For Natacha, who does not live in Norway, the course has primarily given her a deeper understanding of Norwegian culture.
– It is difficult to say how it affects my daily life, since I do not live in Norway. But the course has enriched my understanding of Norwegian culture.
The value of learning together through EDUC
An important part of the course was the international learning environment through the EDUC alliance. For Bijeta, meeting students from different European universities was especially valuable.
– It created a diverse and international learning environment where we could practise together and support each other in learning a new language. The group activities were particularly useful and made the learning experience more dynamic and fun.
Natacha also highlights the international aspect as a positive.
– It gave me the opportunity to practise English while learning Norwegian.
Eager to continue
Both students want to continue learning Norwegian.
– Yes, I definitely want to continue. Since this course covered the A1 level, I am very interested in progressing to A2 and further developing my language skills, says Bijeta.
She believes better Norwegian skills will help her communicate more confidently, integrate better into Norwegian society, and have an even better experience living and studying in Norway.
Natacha also wishes to learn more, especially written Norwegian.
– Written Norwegian is quite similar to English, and it is also interesting that Norwegian can help me understand other Scandinavian languages.