The Development of International Students’ Career Competencies Through Language Learning

A large number of international students consider pursuing a career in Norway after completing their studies in the country. This study investigated the significance of learning Norwegian for international business school students’ career competencies in relation to working in Norway. A qualitative approach was employed, using semi-structured individual interviews and thematic analysis. The sample comprised 15 first-year international master’s and bachelor’s students from various majors, interviewed in two rounds. Participants represented diverse regions, including Europe, Asia, and North and South America. Conducted over one year, the longitudinal study included two interview rounds: the first in fall 2021 with 11 master’s and four bachelor’s students, and the second in fall 2022 with one fewer participant from each group, totaling 13. The findings revealed that speaking Norwegian is essential for job recruitment and inclusion (‘knowing how’), networking at career fairs (‘knowing whom’), and envisioning future career opportunities in Norway (‘knowing why’). Although students prioritised developing speaking skills, many struggled to improve due to limited opportunities for practical language use both inside and outside the classroom. Furthermore, an internal locus of control in language learning was found to positively influence the development of these career competencies. The study recommends that language courses place greater emphasis on speaking practice and that a tandem language exchange program be introduced to strengthen interactions between local and international students.