The Language of Opportunity: Huzan Raad Unconventional Path To Education

A language can unveil an entirely new life.

Huzan Raad, founder of Speak Norsk, realised that firsthand soon after she moved to Oslo to begin her career as a computer engineer. Working as a website developer at a startup, she found satisfaction in the creative aspects of her role, designing and building digital experiences. Yet one of the most meaningful challenges she would ever tackle appeared far outside the world of technology. It began with conversations.

Around her, colleagues and friends from across the world were trying to learn Norwegian. Many came from the UK, the United States, India, and the Middle East, each navigating the same challenge of settling into a new society while struggling to confidently speak the language.

Raad notes that she had reached fluency in Norwegian within just six months, an achievement that she believed was unique given her background. When coworkers began asking for help, it gave rise to casual after-work meetups that quickly turned into a meaningful movement.

“I started writing my own topics about life in Norway, debates about culture, integration, even everyday things like the weather,” Raad recalls. “We would meet over coffee and just talk. People told me they were learning faster than in the courses they had been attending.”

Those informal sessions revealed a clear gap in the language learning landscape.

Raad highlights that traditional courses often focused heavily on grammar and textbook exercises, while practical conversation remained secondary. She saw an opportunity to approach language learning differently, through shared dialogue and cultural understanding.

Those gatherings quickly grew beyond a handful of coworkers. Word spread organically, bringing dozens of international residents together for lively discussions and practical language practice. Cafés across Oslo became temporary classrooms as attendance expanded. “There were evenings where 25 to 50 people showed up,” Raad says. “Everyone brought a friend, someone from their network or family. That’s when I realised there was real demand.”

The momentum eventually led to the creation of Speak Norsk, a language school rooted in the idea that conversation and cultural context accelerate learning. Classes moved into formal spaces, and Raad began assembling a team of experts including her business partner, Nicoleta Stratan, who shared her enthusiasm for creative teaching.

“A strong team is essential for sustaining growth and overcoming challenges, especially in the early stages of a company,” Raad says. “Together with Nicoleta and our dedicated team of teachers, we were able to navigate obstacles with greater resilience and efficiency, turning difficulties into opportunities for progress.”

Her approach reshaped the structure of the courses themselves. Raad and her team developed their own conversational learning materials centered on real-life topics and engaging discussions. The project evolved into a full series of books dedicated entirely to spoken language practice, an effort that Raad notes took five years to complete.

“I care a lot about enjoying the process of learning. If something feels entertaining and interactive, people practice more, and that’s when the real progress happens,” she says.

Raad’s experience as an immigrant gave her an especially clear understanding of the stakes involved in language learning. In her view, mastering Norwegian often determines whether newcomers can build friendships, secure jobs, and fully participate in society.

“The moment people start speaking the language, everything changes. Students tell me they finally made Norwegian friends or found work. For them, it’s life-changing,” she says.

The school’s most recognised program, known as the Viking Offer A1-B2, reflects the method that helped Raad master the language herself. Designed to guide students from beginner level to advanced conversational ability in six months, the program emphasises structured practice, vocabulary development, and continuous speaking.

“Our results show it’s possible,” she says. “With the right plan and structure, people can reach a very high level in a short time.” Yet in a broader context, Raad views Speak Norsk as a platform for empowerment, both for students and for future entrepreneurs.

Launching the company at just 22 years old with no outside investment required courage and persistence. Today, she hopes that her story encourages others to pursue their own ventures. Plans are underway to expand Speak Norsk through a franchise model, enabling educators and aspiring business owners around the world to build schools using the same conversational framework.

Raad’s journey has only just begun. Alongside the franchise model she is also in the process of creating an app to further democratise access to this level of support. And for Entrepreneurs, her plans for the future expand outside of language alone, with plans to open a mentor program for young entrepreneurs.

“A lot of people think they need a big investor or a huge budget to start something,” Raad reflects. “I began with zero investment and zero knowledge about business. I simply created something I would love to learn from.” That philosophy continues to guide her work. Every class, discussion topic, and learning resource reflects a belief that education becomes powerful when it feels human and rooted in real life.

One conversation at a time, Huzan Raad has transformed a personal experience into a pathway for thousands of others, helping newcomers find their voice in a new country while opening doors that extend far beyond language.