Filipinos warned about unlicensed Norwegian language schools in country

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Embassy in Oslo has warned against unlicensed, accredited and informal Norwegian language schools and agents in the Philippines.

The warning came after the embassy claimed it has received complaints that various unlicensed, unaccredited and informal Norwegian language schools and courses are proliferating in the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Monday.

The Norwegian government has not accredited, licensed or recognized any Norwegian Language School/Course operating in the Philippines for profit, nor does it deal or cooperate with any agent or agency, according to the embassy.

“These organizations and groups have enticed many Filipino professionals, especially nurses, to pay unreasonable fees for language classes that are staffed by unlicensed and/or untrained teachers for the chance to land well-paying jobs that are supposedly awaiting the student in Norway upon completion of the language course,” it said.

The embassy said that while there are indeed some job opportunities in Norway, its laws and regulations require professionals wishing to practice their profession in the country to take and pass Norway’s rigorous Bergenstest for language proficiency, among other requirements, and would require the foreign professional to finish at least Norskprøve Level 3 from a certified Norwegian school or university in the country.

It added that Filipinos who have fallen victim to these language schools arrive in Norway expecting to immediately find work only to discover that further Norwegian language courses are needed at additional expense, and that the six-month jobseekers visa issued to them by the Norwegian Embassy is not enough time for them to finish the needed language courses and find a job.

“This makes them vulnerable to abuse and human trafficking,” the embassy said.

For skilled professionals with basic or no Norwegian language (norsk) skills, particularly those wishing to work in the medical sector where Norwegian language proficiency is a prerequisite, the Norwegian Embassy does not recommend coming to the country on a “Jobseeker Permit” but rather on a Residence Permit to Learn Norwegian.

Filipino professionals wishing to practice their profession in Norway should equip themselves with the proper information by visiting trusted information sources such as Norwegian government website, to avoid falling victims to human trafficking.