The general objective of the courses in Norwegian as a Second Language is to prepare foreign students for studies at a Norwegian university.
Language is a means for communication between people and cultures.
It comprises formal aspects, vocabulary, language functions as well as sociocultural aspects, body language and communication strategies. To acquire communicational competence in a foreign language means to understand and to use creatively this system of communication. Additionally the acquisition of a new language may give the language student a basis for personal and intellectual development. Our language courses are based on this view of language. It is an assumption that in order for foreign students to benefit from their studies and to be able to influence their own situation in this country, they should be able to communicate in Norwegian and have some knowledge of Norwegian culture and society.