The main working language of employees in permanent academic positions is Norwegian. To ensure that all employees can participate in the workings of our faculty it is important to have clear expectations for language skills and means for facilitating language learning.
Expectations
If you are not fluent in a Scandinavian language, you are expected to learn Norwegian equivalent to B2 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ??(CEFR) within two years. Within three years, you should be able to actively participate in all functions that the employment requires, including teaching. You and your leader will jointly make a follow-up plan for language learning to achieve this goal.
Language requirements
The Faculty of Social Science has a language requirement for all permanent academic staff, outlined in all job announcements and employment agreements, which consists of two steps:
1. Pass a Norwegian test or exam equivalent to level B2 in the Common European Framework for Languages ??after two years of employment.
2. Carry out teaching in Norwegian after three years of employment.
Important note: These requirements do not apply to temporary employees and employees in purely research positions.
Facilitation
The Faculty of Social Science undertakes to make arrangements for the employee to be able to achieve these goals, through the following minimum requirements for facilitation, adopted by the Faculty Board on 15 December 2022:
1. Costs for organized language lessons until passing B2 are covered by the department
2. On the commencement of your employment, and in consultation with you, your manager prepares a personalized plan for language training, which should lead to passing B2 or equivalent.
3. After passing B2, your manager, in consultation with you, prepares a plan including mentoring and/or tailored courses that will enable you to complete at least one teaching assignment (subject or similar) in Norwegian during the third year of employment. Any costs for such courses, are normally also covered by the department.
4. Hours used for organized language training is credited to your time account for up to three years after joining the faculty for documented time spent in classroom teaching and group work + 1 hour of preparation per course.
Course
Information about Norwegian courses under the auspices of the University of Oslo.