EF Education First has conducted fresh language tests to get an overview of their students' English skills. The results can be compared internationally, and show that Norwegian students no longer perform as well as their European counterparts.
Two years ago, Norwegians' English skills were ranked highest in the world among countries whose first language is not English. Now Norway has moved down to fifth place, behind Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and Finland.
"We are not where we ought to be, and we should ask ourselves why," says head of EF, Morten Davidsen.
The Norwegians lost the most points in the listening and comprehension part of the test. Those between 30 and 35 years old got the highest points, whereas the younger students achieved the lowest score.
Davidsen says that he is surprised that the students who have just recently graduated from high school received the lowest scores, and thinks the increased use of dubbing (Norwegian voice-over) on television shows may be part of the reason.
Dubbing may be one of the contributing causes, agrees associate professor at the institute for teachers' education and school research at the University of Oslo, Glenn Ole Hellekjær. He also thinks that Norwegian students are not challenged enough in today's English classes at school.
"We think we are good at speaking everyday, casual English. That does not mean that we are good at speaking English in the workplace and in public settings," he emphasizes, and says that Norwegians may be overestimating their own level.
(Aftenposten)
Julie Ryland
The UN has requested that Norwegian police officers help with a future peacekeeping project in Syria.
..
The Sofie Prize 2013 is awarded to US journalist Bill McKibben for building a social movement, fighting to preserve a sustainable planet.
..
The Progress Party (FrP) held their National Congress this weekend, and discussed the party's main positions before this fall's election. They want to redefine "the Norwegian model". ..
The Norwegian-Russian Commission for Nuclear Security will meet in Kirkenes, Norway on Tuesday to discuss nuclear security in the North, the Department of Foreign Affairs has announced.
..
The clean-up process in the wake of the destructive floodwaters which hit Eastern Norway this week, has barely begun, but it is already clear that it will be a long and very expensive task...
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has presented its views on the Norwegian economy and Norwegian economic policy, and concludes that the Norwegian economy continues to perform well.(Photo: Finance Minister Sigbjørn Johnsen)..
Norwegian energy producer Statoil has acquired a 12% working interest in the Block 6 licence offshore Tanzania from operator Petrobras Tanzania Ltd...
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide is visiting Ethiopia, where he is attending Saturday's African Summit in Addis Ababa, marking the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) 50 years ago...
Although the rainfall has subsided over most of Eastern Norway, the water level in larger rivers and lakes are still on the rise. More people have been evacuated, due to danger of flush floods...
