"I've had years of classes & Rosetta Stone in French, Italian, Arabic & Polish. At most I achieved 'tourist-talk.' Just 10 weeks of beginner Norwegian StoryLearning and I have solid conversational skills & confidence to try them!"
What Your First Lesson Actually Looks Like
Not features. Not bullet points. This is what happens when you sit down and press play.
1
0:000:00
You press play and the story begins...
"— Er vi framme allerede? spør Iku. — Nei… Dette er ikke endestasjonen, svarer Przemek. — Vi har et problem, sier vognføreren. — Det tar sikkert noen minutter..."
A native Norwegian speaker begins reading the opening of På Sporet Av Forandring. You follow along, reading the text as you listen.
You don't understand everything. But you understand more than you expected. Problem... problem. Minutter... minutes. Stasjon... station. Norwegian and English are cousins, and you already understand more than you think.
And you want to know what happens next. That's the feeling.
2
You already know more Norwegian than you think
Next, Snorre shows you the words hiding in plain sight. Jeg kommer fra Osaka, I come from Osaka. Kommer? That's "come."
Passasjerene sitter og venter, the passengers are sitting and waiting. You can read that without studying a single word.
These are cognates, Norwegian words that look and sound like English ones. There are thousands of them, because Norwegian and English share deep Germanic roots. You've been reading Norwegian words your whole life without realising it.
This is the moment students say: "Wait, I can actually do this."
3
Then Snorre breaks down how the language actually works
Take sentences from the story: Jeg kommer fra Osaka.Passasjerene sitter og venter. Your tutor shows you the pattern, kommer, sitter, venter, Norwegian present tense verbs all work the same way.
No memorising lists of conjugations. Just one clear pattern you can use with every verb in the language.
No grammar tables. No abstract rules. Just real sentences from the story you just read, pulled apart so you can see how they fit together. You learn grammar naturally, using words you've already met in context, not by memorising rules.
4
You hear how Norwegian really sounds
Your pronunciation tutor shows you exactly how to shape your mouth for the sounds of Norwegian, the melodic pitch accent, the rounded vowels, the soft consonants. Not a stilted textbook pronunciation, the real rhythm and music of spoken Norwegian as Norwegians actually speak it.
5
You learn the world the language lives in
Norway's stunning landscapes, from the dramatic fjords to the northern lights. Its Viking heritage, its egalitarian traditions, its outdoor way of life. Because you can't truly speak a language without understanding the people who speak it.
6
Then you go back to the story
You listen again. And this time, sentences that were opaque twenty minutes ago suddenly make sense.
You can hear where one word ends and another begins. You understand why the characters said what they said. You're not translating, you're understanding.
That's one chapter. Vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, cognates, culture, speaking practice, and a story that pulls you through all of it.
You've already started reading Norwegian, understanding grammar, and hearing the rhythm of the language.
There are 10 chapters. Each one goes deeper. Each one builds on the last.
Everything I just described is in the free trial. Full access to the entire course: story, videos, exercises, everything, for 7 days.
Want to see inside the course?
Watch Olly give you a personal tour of Norwegian Uncovered:
Experience This Yourself7 days free. Cancel anytime.
Can I be honest with you?
I've learned 8 languages. And I've failed at most of them, spectacularly, before figuring out what works.
So I know exactly what you're going through right now.
You downloaded the app. You did the daily streak. You memorised hei, takk, ja. You even took a class or two.
And for a while, it felt like progress.
But then you tried to actually use your Norwegian, with a real person, at real speed, and the whole thing fell apart.
- You know the words, but you can't string them into sentences fast enough
- You can read simple phrases, but native speakers sound like a blur
- You've spent months studying, but you still feel like a permanent beginner
I've been there. Staring at someone, nodding politely, pretending I understood. It's not fun.
But here's the thing I wish someone had told me years ago:
Apps teach you to pass their own quizzes. Textbooks teach you to
conjugate verbs on paper.
Neither of them teaches you to actually speak and understand
Norwegian.
There's a reason you're still stuck. And it has nothing to do with talent, age, or how many hours you've studied.
It has everything to do with how you've been learning.
Let me show you what I discovered instead.
Why Stories Work (When Grammar Drills Don't)
Think about how traditional courses work. They teach you a language the way you learned algebra: rules first, practice second, application... maybe someday.
But that's not how you learned your native language. Nobody handed you a grammar table when you were two years old. You learned through immersion. Through context. Through stories that made you care about what happened next.
That's exactly what StoryLearning does. And here's why it works so well:
The StoryLearning Method
Your Brain Is Wired for Story
Stories aren't just entertainment, they're how humans have transmitted knowledge for 100,000 years. When you learn through narrative, your brain engages differently: deeper encoding, stronger memory formation, better recall.
Context Creates Memory
You don't remember random words. You remember the moment the detective discovered the note. The look on Maria's face when she heard the news. Words attached to story stick because they mean something.
Guided Discovery Beats Memorisation
Instead of giving you a rule and asking you to apply it, StoryLearning lets you encounter patterns naturally, then explains what you just discovered. You figure it out, so you own it. That's why you never forget it.
It's Not Just Our Opinion
The StoryLearning method is grounded in decades of language acquisition research.
Dr. Stephen Krashen, Professor Emeritus at USC and one of the most cited linguists in history, proved that language is acquired through comprehensible input, not grammar study.
When you understand messages in the target language, acquisition happens naturally. StoryLearning is built on this principle.
Dual Coding Theory shows that memory is strongest when you encode information both verbally and through imagery.
Stories create vivid mental pictures that make vocabulary stick, which is why you remember story words but forget flashcard words.
Contextual Learning Research consistently shows that words learned in meaningful context are retained 2-3x longer than words learned in isolation.
Every word in StoryLearning arrives with a scene, a character, and a reason to care.
"Olly's top-notch language-learning insights are right in line with the best of what we know from neuroscience and cognitive psychology about how to learn effectively. I love his work, and you will too!"
Start Your Free Trial7 days free. Cancel anytime.
Meet Your Guides
I'm Olly Richards. I'm the creator of StoryLearning and author of the bestselling Short Stories series (over 2 million books sold). I'm fluent in 8 languages, and my YouTube channel has racked up more than 70 million views on language learning.
Collaborated with:
Featured in:
I designed Norwegian Uncovered using the same StoryLearning method that's helped over 100,000 people learn languages. But for Norwegian, I brought in someone special to teach you...
Your Norwegian Teacher: Snorre Karkkonen Svensson
Snorre is the person you'll spend 60+ video lessons with, and his dedication to language learning and teaching runs deep. He has taught Norwegian and Latvian at the University of Bergen, the University of Latvia, and the Latvian Academy of Culture, and has trained teachers of Scandinavian languages across Europe.
Snorre combines academic research with practical pedagogy, always aiming to make language learning engaging and effective. His warmth and expertise shine through in every lesson.
🇳🇴Native Norwegian speaker
🎓University lecturer (Bergen, Latvia)
🌍Trained Scandinavian language teachers across Europe
📚Published researcher in language learning & teaching
Is Norwegian Uncovered Right For You?
StoryLearning isn't for everyone, and that's by design. Here's how to know if it's right for you.
This IS For You If...
- You've tried Duolingo, Babbel, or Rosetta Stone, but nothing stuck
- You know plenty of words, but freeze up when trying to speak
- You want to understand native speakers, not just pass quizzes
- You'd rather read an interesting story than memorise vocabulary lists
- You can commit to 20-30 minutes a day of focused practice
This is NOT For You If...
- You need travel phrases for a trip next week (this is comprehensive, not a phrasebook)
- You prefer structured grammar drills and memorisation exercises
- You want live classes with a teacher (this is self-paced)
- You're already at conversational level (check out our Intermediate courses instead)
- You're looking for a passive "learn while you sleep" solution
Start Your Free Trial7 days free. Cancel anytime.
What Happens When Norwegian Finally Clicks
"I didn't consider myself a language person. I was worried I'd never really get it. But having completed Norwegian Uncovered, I now feel confident reading and speaking Norwegian for real. Thank you, Olly."
"The best Norwegian language course I have ever purchased! I have tried everything to better my speaking skills but nothing sticks like StoryLearning. Simple to understand, fun, motivating, and encouraging!"
"I believe the StoryLearning course is equivalent to two semesters at a university. The quality of the material is at a university level. The lessons are a lot more fun than sitting in a lecture hall."
"I love the way we can learn things that are in the context of a story, and remember it because of the story. This is beyond my expectations."
"I can't even begin to describe how much this course has changed my life. In 2 months, I have learned more Norwegian than in all 4 years I took of it in HS and college. I am actually understanding native speakers! Thank you Olly Richards!"
"This course is by far the best I've ever come across. As an ex English Language Teacher, I have very high expectations & this course exceeds these. The story-based approach makes all the difference, I'm actually reading and understanding real Norwegian."
"I've tried a lot of courses and methods over the years. This is the first course that really helped me to comprehend the language. The story pulls you in, and the grammar suddenly makes sense in context."
"This program changed the way I learn Norwegian. In school, I struggled to understand or speak. Now I'm naturally learning vocab, grammar, reading, writing, listening, & speaking in a super fun way. Highly recommend."
"I always wanted to learn Norwegian but traditional textbooks were so dry and boring. Within just 2 months, I find myself actually reading and understanding real Norwegian texts. This course surprised me. Thank you Olly."
"Very impressed so far! Olly explains and breaks down the rules of Norwegian so well, with lots to learn right from the start. I have learnt more in 1 module than in months of free apps!"
"If you tell me a good story, I'll follow you anywhere. What better way to learn a language than through asking what happens next? This is a challenging, well-designed course that never bored me. And I learned a lot of Norwegian."
Your Journey Through Norwegian Uncovered
At the heart of Norwegian Uncovered is an original story called På Sporet Av Forandring (On the Track of Change).
Iku, a 67-year-old woman from Osaka, arrives in Bergen carrying a secret her mother revealed on her deathbed: the man who raised her was not her biological father. Her real father is a Norwegian art expert named Knut, and somewhere in Norway, he may still be alive.When the Fløibanen funicular breaks down on her way up the mountain, Iku meets three strangers who become unlikely allies: Przemek, a Polish sound designer living in Bergen; Federica, a fearless Italian tram driver on holiday; and Ian, an American with Norwegian roots and a family restaurant in Michigan. Together, through black metal festivals, fish-market lunches, a chaotic séance, a cryptic old postcard, and a long train ride to Oslo, they piece together the trail to Iku's father. The answers unfold across 10 chapters, and as the story pulls you forward, the Norwegian comes with you.
Watch Your Norwegian Grow
Here's actual text from the course. See how much more you'll understand as the story unfolds:
Chapter 1
"— Er vi framme allerede? spør Iku. — Nei… Dette er ikke endestasjonen, svarer Przemek. — Vi har et problem, sier vognføreren."
'Are we there already?' asks Iku. 'No… This is not the last stop,' replies Przemek. 'We have a problem,' says the driver. Even as a complete beginner, you recognise problem, minutter, and stasjon. The cognates do the work for you.
Chapter 5
"Iku sitter på en benk i Nordnes-parken og svarer på en melding. Hun tenker på faren sin og hele reisen hit. Hvor gammel er han nå?"
Iku is sitting on a bench in Nordnes Park and replying to a message. She's thinking about her father and the whole journey here. How old is he now? You didn't study that sentence. You just... understand it.
Chapter 10
"Se, det er tekst på baksida! sier hun. Det står 'Foto: Knut Johansen'. Kanskje var det det han het? Jeg må dra til Oslo og spørre på Vigelandsmuseet!"
"Look, there's text on the back!" she says. "It says 'Photo: Knut Johansen'. Maybe that was his name? I need to go to Oslo and ask at the Vigeland Museum!" Complex syntax, direct speech, a plot twist, and you follow it, because the story carried you there.
Everything You Get
10 chapters. 60+ video lessons. A complete path from beginner to confident.
✓
10 story chaptersNorwegian audio
throughout
✓
60+ video lessons with SnorreGrammar, vocabulary, cognates
& culture, all in context
✓
Pronunciation trainingNorwegian pronunciation
& accent guidance
✓
Speaking activity packsStructured exercises for solo
or tutor practice
✓
100% downloadableStudy offline, anywhere, on
any device
✓
Private communityAsk questions, get support,
connect with learners
✓
Comprehension quizzesCheck your progress at every
stage
✓
Lifetime accessIncluding all future updates,
forever
Try Norwegian Uncovered Risk-Free
365-Day Money-Back Guarantee
I'm confident Norwegian Uncovered will work for you. But I also know that confidence comes from experience, not promises.
So here's my guarantee: Try the course. Work through the chapters. If at any point in the next 365 days you decide it's not for you, email us and we'll refund every penny. No questions. No awkwardness. No hassle.
You have a full year to decide. That's how confident I am that you'll love learning this way.
Olly Richards
$397 $297
Less than $1 a day over a year • Equivalent to two university semesters
Start with a 7-day free trial. Full access. Cancel anytime.
Start Your 7-Day Free TrialYou won't be charged until your trial ends
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm not a complete beginner. Is this course for me?
If you're still building your foundation and don't feel
confident holding conversations yet, yes, Norwegian Uncovered
will fill in the gaps and give you the fluency you're missing.
If you can already hold comfortable conversations with native
speakers, you might be better suited for our Intermediate
courses. Not sure? Start the free trial and see where you land.
What if I don't have time to study every day?
The course is entirely self-paced. There are no live sessions,
no deadlines, no pressure. You have lifetime access, so you can
start when you're ready, take breaks when life gets busy, and
come back whenever you want. Most students find that 20-30
minutes a day works well, but you can adjust to your schedule.
What variety of Norwegian do you teach?
This course teaches Bokmål, the most widely used written standard in Norway, understood everywhere in the country. Bokmål is the standard used in most Norwegian media, education, and business. Once you're comfortable with Bokmål, you'll find it easy to understand Nynorsk and spoken dialects too.
How is this different from Duolingo or Babbel?
Apps teach you to pass their own quizzes. You get good at
matching words and completing exercises, but when you encounter
real Norwegian, a news article, a conversation with a local, a TV show, you're lost. StoryLearning teaches you to read
and understand actual Norwegian through immersion in a compelling
story. You're not learning to pass quizzes; you're learning
to understand a living language.
What if it doesn't work for me?
You have 365 days to decide. If Norwegian Uncovered isn't right
for you, for any reason, email us and we'll refund your
purchase in full. No questions asked, no forms to fill out.
We've processed thousands of refunds without hassle, though we
rarely need to.
Can I try before I pay?
Yes. The 7-day free trial gives you full access to the course.
Explore the lessons, experience the story, try the method. You
won't be charged until the trial ends, and you can cancel
anytime with one click.
What happens after the free trial?
After 7 days, your card is charged $297 for lifetime access to
the full course. There are no recurring fees, it's a single
payment. If you cancel during the trial, you won't be charged at
all. And remember, even after paying, you still have the 365-day
money-back guarantee.
How long will it take to complete the course?
Most students complete Norwegian Uncovered in 3-6 months, studying
20-30 minutes per day. But there's no clock ticking. Some move
faster, some take their time. The course is designed for
sustainable progress, not a sprint.
Will I be able to speak fluently after this course?
Norwegian Uncovered will give you a solid conversational
foundation, the ability to understand native speakers, hold
real conversations, and express yourself confidently. "Fluency"
is a lifelong journey, but this course will get you further than
years of apps and classes combined. Many students report
achieving more in 10 weeks than in years of previous study.
