This article describes some of the opportunities and challenges presented by beginners' courses in Norwegian for international students offered by the Department of Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies at the University of Oslo. Teaching approaches and course content are examined in relation to CEFR levels A1, A2 and B1 and the CEFR's main objectives. The aim is to invite the reader to share in dynamic and communicative task- and learner-oriented practices, with a particular focus on the benefits of extensive use of the target language--in this case Norwegian. Various target language strategies and activities can be used to adjust and develop concrete context-relevant descriptors in today's multicultural and multilingual academic environment. Finally, the article shows how to help students and teachers to benefit from good practice and how to apply systematic and sustainable assessment strategies during the initial stages of learning a new language in the host country.