Choice of foreign languages

In programmes for general studies you must, in addition to English, have another foreign language as a common core subject. This does not apply if you are going to follow the curricula for

• Sami as a 1st or 2nd language
• Finnish as a 2nd language
• Norwegian sign language

If you follow one of these curricula yet wish to take a foreign language, you must take it outside the classroom framework.

Foreign languages as common core subjects can be taken at two levels: Level I and Level II.

Did you take a foreign language in lower secondary school?

Then you can choose to:

1. Continue at Level II with the same foreign language you had in the lower secondary school - with 113 periods at Vg1 and 112 at Vg2. If your school provides it, you can also choose to take foreign languages Level III as a programme subject at Vg3 with 140 periods.
2. Start a new foreign language at Level 1 - with 113 periods at Vg1 and 112 at Vg2. If your school provides it, you can in addition choose to take foreign language Level 2 as a programme subject at Vg3 with 140 periods.

You are in other words not allowed to choose to start again with the same foreign language you had in the lower secondary school. Please note also that you cannot demand to continue with the same foreign language that you had in the lower secondary school if your school does not offer it.

Did you not take a foreign language in lower secondary school?

Then you must

• start a foreign language at Level 1 - with 113 periods at Vg1 and 112 at Vg2
• continue with the same foreign language at Level 3 - with 140 periods at Vg3

This means that your opportunity to choose programme subjects at Vg3 is then reduced.

If you chose English, Norwegian or Sami in-depth specialization, or working life studies, in lower secondary school, you must in other words have a foreign language for three years in upper secondary school.

Foreign languages that are not being taught

If you know a foreign language well or if your mother tongue is a language other than Norwegian, Swedish or Danish, this language can count as your foreign language at Level I or II. If that language is not being taught at your school, you must document your proficiency in this language at an examination for external candidates. This applies also if you know

• Sami, but do not take it as a 1st or 2nd language
• sign language, but do not take it as a 1st language
• Finnish, but do not take it as a 2nd language

The article provides information about which languages you can sit an examination for external candidates in. Your school can provide you with additional information about this.