Beyond mere words, language often acts as a vessel for identity and heritage, anchoring individuals to their roots and the communities they call home. Huzan Raad, founder of Speak Norsk, understood that intimately when she arrived in Norway from Iraq in 2009 and learned Norwegian in six months. "Learning Norwegian allowed me to truly belong," Huzan says. "You can survive with English in many places, but in Norway, if you want to grow professionally and socially, the language matters deeply."
She integrated quickly, finding common ground in shared experiences of ski trips and workplace conversation. There, she not only refined her linguistic capabilities but also embedded herself within the cultural nuances, whether it was the rhythms of dialogue or the unspoken expectations of the society. Yet when she looked at how others were learning, she saw a disconnect.
"At the time, I didn't see any learning structures that were conversation-focused," Huzan recalls. "The students could conjugate verbs, yet struggled to navigate everyday interactions or job interviews. I wanted something modern, interactive, and rooted in conversation. Language is meant to be spoken. From day one, students should feel empowered to use it."
To materialize her vision, Huzan created what she called Språkkafé, which were essentially intimate conversational sessions held in Oslo coffee shops. That, she believed, was one of the most authentic and effective ways to learn the language: through authentic conversations and discussions over a cup of coffee. Early validation came in as she witnessed an increasing number of participants, with learners eager to practice in a social setting. "We were filling up the entire space, and we knew we couldn't keep holding the events in cafes anymore," she says.
Without external investment, Huzan leveraged her background in computer engineering and web development to build a website to streamline client interaction and advance payment, which led to securing the company's first dedicated location. As growth accelerated over the course of seven years, Speak Norsk moved through seven locations to accommodate demand. "Each expansion reminded us of the rising appetite for a learning experience that could feel alive and culturally grounded," she says.
Nicoleta Stratan, Huzan's business partner, joined during the company's early expansion phase and helped formalize and scale that vision. "We focused on optimizing what Huzan created and expanding internationally," she says. "Our audiences grew quickly in the US and UK, and across parts of Europe. What resonated was the conversational, cultural lens."
To support that growth, the team evolved alongside the business. Nicoleta and Huzan brought in experienced educators to ensure every lesson was delivered with professionalism and care. Nicoleta explains, "It was important for us to grow the right way, which meant building a team aligned with our mission. Professional standards matter, but cultural alignment matters just as much." Since then, the team has expanded to more than 20 teachers, with plans to continue growing in the near future.
Together, the team developed a series of fifteen visually rich textbooks spanning beginner to advanced levels, including preparation materials for Norway's national exams required for permanent residency and citizenship. Designed with debate-driven topics, from workplace dynamics to social integration, the books, Nicoleta notes, are written to invite learners to speak, reflect, and engage. "They cover a plethora of topics: how to make friends, how to be social, how to succeed at your job, and how to integrate easily. The pivotal focus is on conversation and experience, that's what shapes motivation and increases attendance and commitment," she explains.
Huzan highlights the social impact of Speak Norsk's structure, noting how learners have often been able to form friendships, secure employment, build a fulfilling life, and navigate civic processes with greater confidence. As Huzan explains, "When someone can apply what they learned immediately after class, even if it's just greeting a neighbour, that momentum keeps them coming back. They see their time has value."
After years of rapid expansion, the company adopted a deliberate shift toward sustainability. Classroom cohorts are now more selective to maintain a personalized experience. At the same time, accessibility has broadened through diversified formats, including in-person courses in Oslo, live virtual sessions, pre-recorded intensive programs for varied time zones, and an online bookstore serving an international audience. "Our goal is stability and excellence in student experience, through every format," Nicoleta explains.
The vision continues to widen as Speak English and Speak Spanish have already launched under the broader Speak More umbrella, with Arabic and French in development. In addition, a gamified learning app is also underway, designed to bring the conversational methodology to mobile platforms. Huzan is also exploring franchise models to equip entrepreneurs globally while extending access to communities seeking culturally immersive language education.
Huzan reflects on the expansion as a response to a broader industry gap. "There is a need for language education that feels human," she says. "People move countries for love, for work, for safety, for ambition. They deserve tools that help them participate fully."
From cozy and stimulating coffee table sessions in Oslo to a lucrative international network, Huzan has built Speak Norsk by embodying the belief that language carries a deeper purpose, one rooted in belonging, in opportunity, and in voice. As the company builds its next chapter, Huzan & Nicoleta remain committed to the ethos that sparked its creation: "When you give someone the confidence to speak, you empower them with the confidence and the agency to build a life. That's what defines our work."
