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NORWAY - TRAVEL GUIDE

Guide to living and working in Norway

Quick Facts

  • Population: 4.8 million
  • Language: Norwegian (Bokmål and Nynorsk). Sami is spoken by the Sami population in the North.
  • Capital City: Oslo
  • Religion: Approximately 86% Evangelical Lutherans; plus other Christian denominations, Muslim and other minority religions.
  • Climate: Inland temperatures are more extreme with warm summers and often very cold winters (November to March). Rain is distributed throughout the year with frequent inland snowfalls during the winter.
  • EFL teachers salary (average): The basic hourly wage is about £15, though this can double for high-level business teaching. Expect to lose about a third in deductions.

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Why is there a demand for English teachers? The trend in Norwegian EFL is similar to that in Denmark, and most schools rely on a pool of native speakers already resident in Norway. In Norway there are 3 types of schools viz. Kindergarten, Public schools and Private Schools. There are fewer Private schools than Public schools but there are many opportunities here for EFL teachers. There are also a number of universities in Norway and if you have higher qualifications then you can try your luck there.

How do I go about getting a job? The Yellow pages for Norway are available online at www.gulesider.no. As throughout Scandinavia, the Folkuniversity of Norway plays an important role in language tuition and hires many native speakers, mostly on an occasional basis. Casual opportunities may also crop up in unpredictable places.

Where do EFL teachers live? You will have to arrange accommodation separately. Most jobs are for part-time work and therefore do not offer accommodation. Offers vary from one destination to another, but we recommend that you apply for placements in advance to make an informed decision regarding the job offer.

Do I need to learn/speak the language? It is not essential for you to speak the language as English is widely spoken.

What is the food like?
One of the most famous Norwegian dishes is smoked salmon. Salmon can be cooked in many different ways and served with various types of sauces such as dill and egg. Other types of fish used are mackerel, smoked herring, sardines and cod. The predominant meats are reindeer, elk and lamb. Whale meat is used sometimes and horse meat is used in preparing Norwegian sausages. People also make use of fruit, such as berries. They have fine quality milk and cheese is made from either goat or cow milk or a mixture of the two. The trend amongst Norwegian chefs is to create a "fusion" food by applying contintental techniques to native ingredients and by reinterpreting traditional dishes.

What will I do in the evenings, on days off or on my holidays? Experience the midnight sun at the North Cape in the far Arctic - and enjoy the coastline from the comfort of the Hurtigruten ships. Enjoy a tipple at the world's most northerly brewery, then visit the university and cathedral and revel in the scenic surroundings of Tromsø, Norway's most northerly city. Experience traditional Norwegian folk culture, music, dance and food at regular summer events in the Norske (Folkemuseum), an open-air collection of historic buildings on Bygdøy Island outside Oslo. Get away from it all and spend a few days in a lakeside mountain hytte or cabin enjoying fishing and nature walks.

How much does it cost to travel to Norway from the UK? Flights cost around £40 one way.

Is Norway safe?
Norway is safer than a lot of other countries, as long as you keep some basic travel safety tips in mind to avoid petty theft, and don't stay in poorly lit areas late at night. Tourists and other short-term visitors should be aware that instances of pick-pocketing and petty theft are predictably common in major tourist areas, hotel lobbies, train and transit stations, and surrounding areas. 

When is the best time to travel for English teaching jobs? Usually peak hiring season is from September to December.