Norsk i Nikel

We want to find good language courses

“They told me to learn languages when I was in college, but just today I see the point” - says Aleksandr, 21. He is back to Nikel from his military service and seeks for job.

The question about finding Norwegian language courses seems to be not easier than the question about job. You won't find ads about them in newspapers or sticked to walls on the street. All the average resident of Nikel can rely on - are the rumours from his friends.

We knew a little more. Aleksandr has been told about courses for disabled on consultation meeting in Employment Centre. Also it was known that some courses were provided by district administration.

School 1

The teacher, Lubov Maslova, turned out to be Norwegian language teacher. But now she doesn't have classes. "Last year we had collected a group of 12 persons for classes, but after visa regulations changes only 1 person stayed in the group" - she said. She suggested to give private lessons though.

Employment centre

We were lucky, because it was Tuesday and it was the day for courses provided by cooperational project between Employment Centre and Fretex. The group of 8 students had been formed couple of months ago, Mikhail, teacher from Murmansk comes every week on Tuesdays and Fridays. Following Mikhail the group is only for disabled people that gets an assignment for courses in Employment Centre. He said also that the recruitment was full, and there is no extra space for non disabled in the group.

Administration

Tatyana Bazanova told us that before they have Norwegian language courses in Nikel, but because of small amount of students they decided to move courses to Zapolyarny, where demand on such courses among people is higher. The courses run at school 9 on Saturdays. They are free of charge, but may not be the case for beginner, because they have already passed a number of lessons.

School 3

Tatyana Belozerova, the teacher of English, drew us a detail picture on what is happening in this school. They have cooperation with Pasvik High School and every year send 1 student there. In relation to this project they have Norwegian courses for pupils, 5 days in month. Although they are targeted on pupils there was a case that some older person dealed with school's director and teacher and then started attending the lessons. So it was not impossible for Aleksandr to use this option.

But as it turned out the lessons gather a full class, and Aleksandr perceived they are too crowdy and because of that could be of low efficiency for him.

Artschool

As a result, Aleksandr preferred the private lessons given by his former artschool teacher Marina Shipulina. It was his only option before our "investigation" and finding no options for studiing in groups he returned to this variant.

Conclusion

To become a student on free language courses comes to be not easy thing, that depends on some conditions. You must be either a pupil, disabled or already having some language skills. Another variant is dealing with personalities for private lessons. The cost of private lessons in Nikel is between 200 and 300 roubles per hour, that is not acceptable for everyone. But, perhaps, this situation is caused by low interest of locals that don't see much use in having Norwegian language skills.