Books are not the most glamorous way to learn a language — apps are more convenient, online courses more structured. But for Norwegian specifically, the right textbook can do things no app can: explain grammar clearly in English, give you a reference you can flip back to, and mirror the exact content and format of the Norskprøven.
This guide covers the best Norwegian textbooks, grammar books, workbooks, and dictionaries available on Amazon — what each one is actually good for, who should use it, and what its limitations are.
Most of the top Norwegian textbooks are published in Norway and can be harder to find in local bookshops outside Scandinavia. All the books below are available on Amazon with international shipping.
Best Beginner Textbooks
If you are enrolled in a Norwegian language course in Norway — or preparing for the Norskprøven at A1–A2 level — these are the two textbooks used in the majority of Norwegian adult education centres (voksenopplæring).
Norsk på 1-2-3 — Elisabeth Ellingsen
The single most widely used Norwegian textbook for adult learners in Norway. It covers A1–A2, structured around exactly the topics and situations tested in the Norskprøven: daily routines, health, work, housing, transport, and family. Grammar is introduced gradually with clear explanations and exercises. If you are in a Norwegian language course, there is a good chance this is the textbook your class uses.
The main limitation is that it is designed for classroom use — it works best alongside a teacher or course. Self-study learners abroad may find it less intuitive without someone to ask questions. A separate answer key is available for the exercises.
Ny i Norge — Gerd Manne
Another widely used beginner textbook, common in integration courses for immigrants. Ny i Norge takes a more communicative approach than Norsk på 1-2-3 — more dialogue-based, with less explicit grammar explanation. Good for learners who find Norsk på 1-2-3 too grammar-heavy or who prefer learning through example rather than rule. It covers A1–A2 with vocabulary and situations built around everyday life in Norway.
Best for Self-Study Outside Norway
Complete Norwegian: Teach Yourself — Margaretha Danbolt-Simons
If you are learning Norwegian on your own, outside Norway, without access to a classroom course, Teach Yourself Complete Norwegian is the most practical starting point. It is designed from the ground up for self-study — clear explanations in English, audio included, and structured so you can work through it independently. It covers beginner to lower-intermediate (roughly A1–B1) and includes dialogues, grammar notes, vocabulary lists, and exercises with answers.
Unlike Norsk på 1-2-3, it does not mirror the Norskprøven specifically — but it builds a solid general foundation. Many learners outside Norway use it as their first book, then switch to Norsk på 1-2-3 when they get closer to taking the test.
Best Grammar and Workbook (Beyond Beginner)
Norwegian Tutor: Grammar and Vocabulary Workbook — Guy Puzey
Once you have completed a beginner course and want to consolidate and push toward B1, the Norwegian Tutor workbook is one of the most useful books available. It contains 200 activities covering grammar and vocabulary at advanced beginner to upper intermediate level, with answers included. It is not a course — it is a workbook for deliberate practice, designed to close the gap between "I can get by" and "I can handle the writing and oral sections at B1."
Particularly useful for the Norskprøven writing section, where consistent grammar accuracy is what separates A2 from B1 performance.
Norwegian: An Essential Grammar — Åse-Berit and Rolf Strandskogen (Routledge)
This is a reference grammar, not a textbook — you would not learn Norwegian by reading it cover to cover. Instead, it is the book you reach for when you want to understand a specific grammar point clearly: how adjective agreement works, how subordinate clauses change word order, when to use the different past tense forms. Clear examples, organised by topic, written in English.
Most useful from A2 upward, as a reference alongside your main course or textbook. Serious learners targeting B1 or B2 will find it invaluable for resolving specific uncertainties.
Best Dictionary
Norwegian Dictionary: Norwegian-English / English-Norwegian — Routledge
A solid bilingual dictionary for everyday use. It covers both translation directions, includes example phrases, and is compact enough to be practical. Most learners at A2–B1 level will find it covers everything they need. The Routledge edition is the most widely recommended among Norwegian learners for quality and coverage.
Recommended Combinations
Preparing for the Norskprøven at A2 (in Norway): Norsk på 1-2-3 is the primary choice — it mirrors the test directly. Add the Routledge grammar as a reference for specific questions.
Self-study from outside Norway, targeting A2: Start with Complete Norwegian (Teach Yourself) for structure and audio. Switch to Norsk på 1-2-3 in the final two months before your test to align with the exam format.
Pushing from A2 to B1: The Norwegian Tutor workbook is the most efficient book-based tool for this stage. Pair it with regular speaking practice — books alone will not get you to B1 oral.
For grammar questions at any stage: Keep Norwegian: An Essential Grammar as your reference. It will answer most grammar questions faster than searching online.