FAQ
General Frequently Asked Questions
What types of courses are offered?
All Institut Nòrdic courses are offered online in the Virtual Classroom. Courses of varying lengths are offered throughout the year:
- 32-session courses (1 class/week from October to June)
- 32-session courses (2 classes/week from October to February and from February to June)
- 22-session courses from January to June
- 20-session intensives (4-week duration)
We also offer conversation and maintenance courses, as well as online private lessons, which can be started at any time. You can check availability here .
How do online classes work?
In our online classes, we follow our philosophy as always, with the advantage that you can attend from anywhere. Classes are conducted through Zoom (check the technical requirements here), and the environment includes all essential elements for learning:
- Real-time and 100% uninterrupted audiovisual contact with the teacher and other students
- Digital whiteboard
- Instant chat
- Ability to share screen and documents
Are the teachers native speakers?
All our teachers are native speakers and have extensive experience in teaching Nordic languages to Spanish speakers.
Can I join a course that has already started?
If you have no prior knowledge of the language, it is very difficult to follow the course after a certain point, as you will lack the basic content. In this case, you can wait for new courses to open or request private classes, but you can always consult us for information about your particular case.
If you have prior knowledge, you are more than welcome at any time! If this is your case, contact us. If there are available spots and the language coordinator authorizes it, you can join an ongoing course.
Is it possible to change the schedule or group during the course?
Yes, as long as there are places available in the group you wish to change to (or if you need to attend another group on an ad hoc basis), and after notifying the language coordinator. Institut Nòrdic does everything possible so that everyone can learn.
Our students include flight attendants, health professionals, etc., so we understand the current timetable complexity of certain sectors and we try to make it easier to follow the course with this measure.
with this measure.
Is the intensive course equivalent to a 32-session course?
Absolutely yes. In the intensive courses, the teaching staff is the same and the same books are used as in other courses. The difference is that in the intensive course, classes are daily, Monday to Friday, for four weeks, while in other modalities classes are once or twice a week.
In Institut Nòrdic we evaluate the assimilated contents, not the duration of the course. At the end of the intensive course you will get a certificate that you have passed a certain enrolled level, exactly the same that you would get by passing the other courses.
What levels are offered?
For detailed information on courses for each language, please consult the offerings for the language you wish to learn.
How do I know what level I have?
If you don't know your level and want to join a course, you can contact us, and we will present your case to the corresponding coordinator, who will get in touch with you to thoroughly understand your situation.
Can I take a free level test?
If you want to take a course and don't know your level, contact us. Send us your details and some information about your previous experience with the language, and the coordinator will call you to assess your level.
Are there discounts for retired people, unemployed individuals, or large families?
No. Our prices do not include discounts in any case. We apologize.
Do I have to pay for the entire course if I join one that has already started?
No. You will receive a discount on the initial price of the course.
Can I pay in installments?
32-session courses (1 class/week): three payments. The first is required to complete enrollment and begin classes. The second payment is due 6 weeks after the course starts, and the final payment is due 12 weeks after the start date.
For 32-session courses (2 classes/week) and 22-session courses, we offer the option of splitting the course fee into two installments. The first payment is required to complete your registration and begin classes. The second payment is due six weeks after the course starts.
Intensive courses have only one single payment.
The center always sends a reminder to students, so you don't have to worry about forgetting the date.
How can I make the payment?
You can pay by credit or debit card directly on the website during the enrollment process. It is also possible to make the payment by bank transfer to the account ES10 2100-1103-59-0200120092 (CaixaBank), or do it at our office in cash, within public service hours. To check it, click here.
Do I need to have the official certificate if I have to move to a Nordic country?
If you are moving for work or study reasons, it's best to ask exactly what requirements are necessary. You can contact the corresponding embassy or consulate for more information (you can find the contacts on our pages about Nordic countries), as well as any other organization related to your job position or the studies involved.
Do the certificates of Institut Nòrdic have official recognition?
The certificates issued by Institut Nòrdic certify that the holder has passed the knowledge required by the European standard. Although the certificates are not official, they certify the level you have.
How are the certificates of Institut Nòrdic?
The certificate of Institut Nòrdic certifies the obtained level of Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish or Icelandic. To obtain the certificate it is required to study and pass the continuous evaluation in one of the courses offered by the center. Institut Nòrdic gives two types of certificates: certificate with grade and certificate of attendance.
The certificate with grade is the certificate given to students after passing a course, with which they can move up to the next level. If the student does not qualify for a certificate after passing the course, but has attended at least 70% of the classes, he/she is entitled to a certificate of attendance from Institut Nòrdic. You can find more information about our certificates here.
How is the evaluation system of Institut Nòrdic?
In order to learn better and take advantage of the entire course from the beginning to the last day, in Institut Nòrdic the evaluation is continuous. We do not take an exam at the end of the course, but everything that is done during the course counts towards the final grade. In this way, the course becomes an uninterrupted learning process and the results end up being better.
In our continuous assessment, the final grade consists of five parts of equal value:
- Online test at the end of each chapter of the book.
- Writing exercises.
- Oral tests.
- Listening comprehension tests.
- Class participation, homework submission, presentations and other assessable activities.
The continuous assessment may vary depending on the level and language, but it applies to all levels.
Can I take the official exams at Institut Nòrdic?
At our center, you can only take the official Swedish exam, the Swedex. Unfortunately, no other Nordic country allows official examinations outside their borders, so you should contact the embassy or consulate of the corresponding Nordic country for more information.
Can I take the official Swedish exam?
At Institut Nòrdic we are the official authorized seat of the Swedex exam, the only official Swedish exam that you can take without having to travel to Sweden. The exam is organized by the Folkuniversitetet, it has a cost and there is only one call per year. For more information, see this link.
What are the official exams like?
Sweden is the only country that allows taking exams outside its borders. The rest of the countries, except for Iceland, also offer official exams for their languages, although you have to go there to take them. These are the exams for the different Nordic languages:
- Norwegian: Norskprøven and Bergenstesten, organized by the Folkeuniversitetet.
- Finnish: Yleinen kielitutkinto, (YKI). They are organized by the Department of Education of the Finnish Government.
- Danish: Prøve i Dansk 3 (B2) and Studieprøven (C1)
How can I reserve a place?
Places are reserved and blocked only upon receiving the first payment of the registration fee (for annual courses) or the full payment (for other courses). For this reason, we strongly recommend that if you are interested in a specific group and language, you make the payment as soon as possible.
Is there a minimum age to participate in the courses?
Yes, you must be 16 years old to enroll in one of the group courses at Institut Nòrdic.
When does registration open for the different courses?
Registration typically opens several months before the start of the courses. To stay up-to-date, we recommend subscribing to our newsletter or following us on social media.
Are there job opportunities in my sector in the Nordic countries?
If you know the language, Nordic countries offer many quality job opportunities for qualified professionals. If you're interested in this option, we recommend that you contact the embassy or consulate of the country you're interested in, as well as any professional association in your sector in the destination country. This way, you'll know the legal, language, or accreditation requirements you'll need there and can prepare the path correctly.
We recommend that you visit our page about Nordic countries, where you'll find useful information.
Is knowing English enough in Nordic countries?
Learning the country's language is essential for social integration and is a mandatory requirement to access certain job positions, as well as to opt for working conditions similar to those of a native. However, it is true that knowledge of English is widespread among Nordic people, and it's easy to get by in this language for practical matters.
I need to learn very quickly. What can I do?
You can combine courses of different lengths so that you complete two or three levels in approximately one year. For more information, consult the offer for the language you want to study.
Can I study several Nordic languages at the same time?
At Institut Nòrdic you can learn as many languages as you want, but before signing up for two or more courses it is best to think carefully. Swedish, Norwegian and Danish are so similar that they can confuse the student and the result of the studies may not be the desired one. Perhaps, it is better to start with one and add the other from B1 level onwards. Combining Icelandic with Swedish, Norwegian or Danish does not have much danger of confusion, as Icelandic is quite distant from the three Scandinavian languages. Finnish is totally different compared to all the Nordic languages.
Are Nordic languages similar to each other?
Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, and Icelandic belong to the Northern or Nordic Germanic languages, so they are similar to each other, although Icelandic is the most different in this group. Therefore, they are easier to learn if you know English or German, as they share certain vocabulary and characteristics.
On the other hand, Finnish is a Finno-Ugric language, a branch of the Uralic languages. For this reason, it differs greatly from the rest of the Nordic languages and it is difficult to find similarities with other European languages other than Estonian.
You can find more information about this in this article on Nordic languages.
What if I decide to study a second language?
If you decide to study a second language at Institut Nòrdic you will receive a 10% discount on your tuition.
How long do I need to speak?
Anything is possible: the more motivation and effort you put in, the faster you'll progress. The time needed to be able to function minimally in a new language depends a lot on each person and their desire to learn.
At Institut Nòrdic we promote oral and written comprehension and expression from the very beginning. In this way, students will see that they can communicate from day one, each time with more complex and elaborated concepts. It is considered that by the end of level A2 students already have the essential grammatical concepts and vocabulary, and can understand and express everyday ideas.
Check the page about learning levels for more information.