Online English lessons for children in Norway: first-year English, Bokmål, Nynorsk and time to talk

How is English taught at school in Norway?

Children in Norway start school at six, and English is taught from the first year. What each class covers, and how it is assessed, can vary, so your child's school is the best source for this year's plan. If you know the topics, you can echo them at home: a song about the weather, a game with numbers, a picture book about animals.

An early start helps, but school English has a limit: one teacher shares the lesson with a whole class. Most of the time your child is listening, not speaking. Out-of-school lessons add the most when they give your child many chances to answer, ask and tell.

Does it matter whether we write Bokmål or Nynorsk at home?

Not for English. Norwegian has two written standards, Bokmål and Nynorsk, and Sami languages are part of Norway's language life too. Whichever your family uses, your child is already used to the idea that one language can be written in more than one way. That helps when English arrives with its own spelling.

English spelling is less regular than Norwegian. The same sound can be spelled in different ways, and the same letters can say different things, as in bead and bread. That is why phonics is useful: it teaches the sound and spelling patterns one at a time, so your child can work out new words instead of guessing. Keep Norwegian reading going strongly as well; good reading habits carry over between languages.

Which English sounds and words catch Norwegian children out?

Norwegian and English are related, and they share many words, so the start feels easy. These are the spots where children usually need more practice:

There are false friends too. In Norwegian, gift means married, while an English gift is a present. Children enjoy collecting these, and once they have laughed about one, they rarely mix it up again.

How can I help a shy child speak English?

Many children understand English well but freeze when asked to say something. That is normal, and pressure usually makes it worse. Small, safe chances to speak work better than being put on the spot.

• Start with games that need one-word answers, such as naming colours or animals, before asking for full sentences.
• Let your child use toys or puppets to talk; some children speak more easily through a character.
• Give time. Count to five in your head before helping with a word.
• Praise trying, not getting it perfect.

A 1-to-1 lesson can suit a shy child well, because there is no class watching and the teacher can wait for an answer. Our guide on a child who is shy to speak English has more ideas.

Is screen time with English shows a good idea?

In moderation, yes. In Norway, films and series for older viewers are usually subtitled, while programmes for young children are usually dubbed into Norwegian. Older children may hear plenty of English on screen; younger ones probably hear much less. Watching helps listening, but it does not ask your child to reply. A live lesson is different: your child has to think and answer, which is how speaking grows.

What progress can I expect after a few months of lessons?

Progress depends on your child's age, starting point and how often they practise, so expect steady steps rather than leaps. With a 25-minute lesson once or twice a week and a little English at home, these are typical signs that things are moving:

• Your child answers in English more readily, with less hesitation.
• Short phrases grow into sentences with and or because.
• Younger children start to hear and say the sounds of letters, and blend them into simple words.
• Older children read short texts with less help and talk about their own interests.

Children aged 4 to 12 all move at their own pace. Keep the lesson time the same each week, so it fits around school and activities without a fuss. If you are unsure whether a provider suits your child, a first lesson tells you a lot; see what to look for in a free first lesson.

How would CurioKids lessons work for a family in Norway?

CurioKids gives children aged 4 to 12 live, 1-to-1 online English lessons with a real teacher, 25 minutes each, in the CurioKids online classroom with video, an interactive whiteboard, lesson slides and games. Most children start with Phonics Starter; a child who already reads can be placed straight into a CEFR-based level after the free first lesson. Phonics Starter is our 52-lesson reading course, from letter sounds to reading sentences. Teachers can't teach until our team has confirmed a background check and they have signed our teaching agreement. Lessons happen only inside the CurioKids classroom, and your child's teacher gives feedback after lessons. See our levels and safety pages for more.

For a child in Norway who already reads in Bokmål or Nynorsk, the reading course is a way to learn English spelling as a separate system.

Visit our Norway page to see how lessons work, what your child will learn and how we keep children safe. If lessons for families in Norway haven't opened yet, the page has a waitlist: leave your details and we'll let you know when you can book your child's free first lesson. Plans for families in Norway are priced in Norwegian kroner: see the prices for Norway.