LANGUAGE SCHOOL Guide
Spring 2016
Learn
Danish for free!
5 TOP TIPS TO MAKE LEARNING THE LANGUAGE EASY
EMBRACE THE DANISH LIFESTYLE:
8 benefiits of ‘taler den snak’ FIND A LANGUAGE SCHOOL
ALL THE DETAILS
INSIDE
LANGUAGE SCHOOLS
ADVERTORIAL
DANISH LESSONS WITH A SEAL OF APPROVAL
dedanskesprogcentre.dk
FACILITATING INTEGRATION
De Danske Sprogcentre (DDS) is Denmark’s national association of language schools. It currently numbers around 60 members spread all over Denmark. Poul Neergaard, Chairman of DDS, talks to Stepehen Gadd of the Copenhagen Post.
Q
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR CORE SERVICE?
In order to truly thrive here, it is important that new arrivals to Denmark learn the language as quickly as possible. There are three aspects to
Poul Neergaard
Through learning Danish
everyday life, and to build up a social network.
Q
HOW ARE THE COURSES STRUCTURED AT THE SCHOOL?
labour, so our courses reflect this. DDS works closely with the players
On a practical level, the courses are designed to be as functional as possible. They are very much goal-based and tailored to individual needs and the background of the participants, so classes are put together accordingly. There are three individual programmes, each with six modules. The last of these modules includes a stateadministered Danish exam, which is a prerequisite for obtaining
in the labour market in Denmark, as well as with local government and
permanent residency and Danish citizenship.
this: Educational mobility, integration into civil society and being able to function fully in the labour market. At present, there is intense focus politically on integrating new arrivals into the labour market as quickly as possible, and also ensuring the greatest flexibility and mobility of
legislators, to assist job-seekers as much as possible.
Q
WHO CAN BENEFIT MOST FROM YOUR COURSES?
Q
HOW DO YOU ENROL AT DE DANSKE SPROGCENTER?
All newly-arrived adult foreigners have a right to free Danish lessons.
The short answer is everyone. People need to be motivated to seek
The best way forward is to contact your local language centre or
language education for their own sake as well as it being vital for
Borgerservice (website in English: https://lifeindenmark.borger.
the well-being of Danish society in the longer term. It is important
dk/). You can also obtain addresses and contact details of language
to be able to speak and read Danish to take part fully in cultural and
schools through our website: www.dedanskesprogcentre.dk.
DANISH LESSONS WITH A SEAL OF APPROVAL
dedanskesprogcentre.dk
Your Danish
LANGUAGE SCHOOL SPRING GUIDE If your extent of ‘Danish’ is buying that delicious pastry from your corner baker, then it is high time that you get down to learning the language.
Everything you need to know about getting started with Danish lessons.
adult foreigners. Many of the language schools also offer a wide range of other courses, including courses focusing on the Danish labour market, special youth courses
While it may be possible to live comfortably in Denmark without ever picking up an English-Danish dictionary. In a city boasting an international community as vibrant as Copenhagen, one can easily get by without any Danish skills whatsoever. And considering that to most foreign ears, Danish sounds a rather amusing language, learning the language can start to seem a little unnecessary. However for those who want to fully immerse themselves in the Danish culture, excel in the job market and make Danish friends, then learning the language is a must! This supplement will guide you on making the best choices when it comes to your language needs. Be they work, social or personal, there are several language courses and schools available to non-Danish speakers wanting to learn the language. By learning Danish at a language school, not only will you gain a thorough grasp of the language, but you will also be assisted in your integration into Danish society.
WHY A LANGUAGE SCHOOL? A language schools’ core service is teaching the Danish language to
and courses on Danish culture and society. The vast majority admit students on an ongoing basis, and offer instruction as daily, evening or Saturday courses. The courses are also often planned in cooperation with job centres and companies, so to ensure that students are afforded the necessary time to learn the language. In addition to classroom instruction, many of the language centres offer students the option of learning Danish via online courses. Online courses can also be completed with module testing – and can be taken individually or in groups. Along with online courses, there are other clubs or ‘groups’ at which students get together outside of the classroom to practice and perfect their pronunciation. We take a look at a few of these worthwhile extra-curricular activities. Regardless of whether you are a first-time learner or looking to improve on your Danish, this supplement will supply you with all the details and motivation to want to try a few classes.
President and Publisher: Ejvind Sandal; Editor: David Nothling; Layout & Design: Lyndsay Jensen; Commercial Director: Hans Hermansen, hans@cphpost.dk, Tel: +45 2420 2411; Picture credit for images: iStock & various language schools
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Danish. ConCentrateD.
Intensive Danish courses in Hellerup and Lyngby sprogcenterhellerup.dk
3992_Adshells_1185x1750mm_03.indd 3
08/07/15 11.05
The BENEFITS
of learning Danish Although there are many, we list our top reasons why you should embrace learning the language. The Danish government and private institutions have many Danish language courses on offer for anyone who is legally living in Denmark. In fact immigrants to Denmark are required to go to one of these courses. The main reason for this is that the government wants immigrants and nonDanish workers to integrate into Danish society, as such they have identified language as a good place to start. But aside from this, there are many other reasons why newcomers should learn Danish…
8 reasons why you should learn the language
#1 #2
It’s free! If you have a residence permit you are entitled to one and a half years of free Danish lessons.
Helps you integrate into Danish society. Surveys have shown that learning Danish benefits you both professionally and socially in Denmark. Learning Danish will give you an insight into Danish cultural and social norms. Understanding another culture gives you an appreciation for new experiences that will last a lifetime.
#3 #4
Greater job satisfaction. The work place is one of the best places to improve your Danish language skills.
Makes your move to Denmark easier. Adequate Danish language skills including a certified exam - are also essential if you wish to get a permanent residence permit or eventually Danish citizenship.
#5
Make friends. Danish language classes provide an opportunity for you to meet people of different ages and social groups with a common interest – learning the language is sociable.
#6
It’s EASY! With the many language schools on offer to educate you every step of the way, and with the aid of this supplement, your learning experience will be that much easier!
#7 #8
Helps students prepare for the future. Knowing more than one language is a great credential for university applications or job interviews.
You get fluency in 2 other languages. You also become proficient in Norwegian and Swedish. Norwegian (bokmål) is an almost carbon copy of Danish with a few distinctions that are irrelevant to normal every-day use. Swedish uses some unique words and phrases, but is to great extents, highly understandable to Danish speakers. Source: http://actualfluency.com/; http://www.concordialanguagevillages.org/
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Sign up for free DANISH courses Digital material - Fast progression Correct pronunciation - Crash courses
DANISH is hard - we make it EASY www.clavis.org
GET SCHOOLED:
Where to start your studies With so many schools to choose from, we educate you the best options available.
Many expats living in Denmark choose to learn Danish so to aid them in their transition to the Danish way of life. Catering for your individual needs and circumstances, there are several schools that offer a range of courses. Getting started is relatively simple, and requires only that you have a Danish CPR number (i.e. ID number). As an international student or employee studding or working in Denmark, you are able to take Danish language lessons free of charge provided that you have a CPR number. There are long courses that run during the academic year, short intensive courses and summer courses. Depending on your needs, time, interests and prior qualifications, the main options listed below are available to you:
COURSES AT DANISH HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS Many institutions offer intensive Danish language courses at the beginning of the academic year, during the semester or as a part of a summer university programme. Students who are enrolled at the institution are not usually charged a tuition fee. However, if you’re not studying at the institution but still planning to join a language class, then you could be charged a fee of around 2 500 – 5 000 DKK per course.
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PROGRAMMES AND COURSES OFFERED BY THE LOCAL COUNCIL (KOMMUNE) Local authorities are required by law to offer Danish language and culture courses to all foreign residents. The local language schools offer courses at all levels. The courses usually consist of 18 lessons a week, though some schools offer more intensive courses or weekend courses. The target groups for these courses are new immigrants and refugees. For some of the courses, you might be charged a nominal fee. It is possible to enrol for the courses several times a year. Mandatory examinations are held twice a year.
DANISH LANGUAGE COURSES AT ADULT LEARNING CENTRES (VUCS) The adult learning centres offer courses in all general subjects for adults at lower and upper secondary school level. In addition to the general courses offered to Danes, some of the VUCs offer Danish language courses for foreigners. Each course lasts between 6-12 months and comprises 240 lessons. A small tuition fee of around 200 DKK is charged for each course. You can get more information on these courses from your local council or from the individual adult learning centre. If you are interested in a more intensive or perhaps a more individually
designed course, you can enquire at one of the local language centres about private language teachers.
COURSES AT FOLK HIGH SCHOOLS (FOLKEHØJSKOLER) Some Folk High Schools offer residential courses in Danish language and culture either during the summer holiday (three to four weeks) or during the autumn and spring semesters (four to five month duration). These courses do not normally include formal tests or examinations. The Secretariat for the Danish Folk High Schools will provide you with further information about courses, admission and tuition fees. Visit www.hojskolerne.dk for more information.
CLASSES OFFERED BY PRIVATE LANGUAGE TEACHERS There are many individual language instructors in Denmark who are qualified to offer one-on-one instruction in the Danish language. This type of learning is ideal for those who don’t have time to attend scheduled classes.
PRIVATE LANGUAGE SCHOOLS Throughout this supplement you will learn of the various types of private language schools available to you. However, a good place to begin your learning adventure is with De Danske Sprogcentre (The Danish Language Centres). The DDS brings together in one easy-to-use website, all state-approved language centres in Denmark, so that prospective students are able to decide on which institution will serve them best. Source: http://denmark.dk/; http://dedanskesprogcentre.dk/; http://studyindenmark.dk/
LANGUAGE SCHOOL FAIR ARE YOU NEW TO DENMARK? DO YOU WANT TO LEARN DANISH? The schools offer more than just language teaching!
Some of them arrange social and cultural activities. Others can help you with your job search by proofreading your CV and writing applications in Danish. At the fair you will have the chance to meet representatives from the schools in Copenhagen and choose the school that suits you!
WHEN? Thursday April 7th 2016 TIME? 5:00 to 7:00 pm
WHERE? International House Copenhagen, Gyldenløvesgade 11, ground floor, 1600 Copenhagen V No registrations required – and it’s free! See you at the fair
LEARNING DANISH
MADE
easy
So you have enrolled at a language school of your choice, and now it’s time to get down to the hard work of learning Danish. Danish may be difficult to learn, but with plenty of practice you are sure to get the hang of it. So apart from attending a language school, how can you go about learning the language – the answer is simple, follow these five simple steps. We have spoken to a few Danish language teachers who share their advice and suggestions on how to get the most out of your Danish classes.
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Expert advice on learning the language the right way.
STEP 1: MAKE LEARNING FUN According to James J. Asher, PhD at San Jose State University, 95% of students give up before mastering the foreign language they study. Danish language teacher, Louise Sand, says that you can put yourself among the 5% who succeed if you make the learning fun. “If you understand how your brain works. Your brain wants pleasure. It tells you to have fun. So why not turn learning a language into fun. Why not become addicted? Flash cards is a fast and efficient way to become addicted to learning Danish and becoming fluent,” she says.
STEP 2: BE PERSISTENT Persistence is not about doing the same thing all the time. Persistence is about working towards the same goal (fluency) all the time. And, of course, you get smarter along the way. So, what works for you today, may not work for you tomorrow. “I can choose
Persistence is not about doing the same thing all the time. Persistence is about working towards the same goal (fluency) all the time.
a method and follow it. But I need to
Most language programmes are designed to support your Danish language development and will improve your speaking, reading, writing and listening skills quickly and efficiently if you attend the majority of your classes and do your homework regularly. The results will be worth it!
STEP 4: DON’T BE SHY, AND GET INVOLVED!
STEP 3: ATTEND CLASSES AND DO YOUR HOMEWORK
As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Your teachers will always encourage you to get involved in the lesson, and should make you feel comfortable so that you are not shy or embarrassed to contribute to the class. Don’t be afraid of making a mistake or saying something that sounds ridiculous. You are also encouraged to check out the various extracurricular offerings at your chosen language school. The likes of language cafes, elective classes and one-on-one opportunities are all great additions to your schooling,
As an adult learning in your ‘spare time’, it is understandable that work
and are made available to help you progress.
add a little extra ‘spice’, if I want to stay motivated. Maybe today my spice is enjoying the sound of a word I have just heard. And tomorrow my spice may be finding video clips on YouTube with people baking cakes talking in Danish,” says Louise.
and family life is demanding of your time and that sometimes seemingly less important tasks (such as homework) fall by the wayside. Teachers we spoke to all agree that finding and always keeping in mind your motivation for wanting to learn Danish is a great encouraging factor that will motivate you to do your homework and attend classes (at least most of the time) they say.
STEP 5: GET A PEN-PAL Make Danish friends and practice your newly learnt words and phrases on them. If you don’t have a Danish online pen pal, it’s time to get one. Facebook and other social media platforms are a great starting point. Source: : http://dkheadlines.com/learndanish.htm; http://denmark.dk/; http://learndanishblog.copenhagencast.com/
Learn Danish with Berlitz Virtual Classroom A PERFECT SOLUTION TO THE CHALLENGES OF TIME, LOCATION AND BUDGET, ACCORDING TO THE FAMOUS BERLITZ METHOD. You get many benefits with Berlitz online language training solution: Live individual instruction by professional and native speaking teachers Structured proficiency A set time frame for goal completion Private and business courses Focus on oral as well as writing skills Flexibility – log in wherever you are Save time – and spend it on learning the language instead For all levels Normal Price: 14.600 incl. material Your Price: 13.500 incl. material
DENMARK +45 70 21 50 10 www.berlitz.dk
The DANISH WAY of LIFE Social integration through learning the language.
When you move to Denmark learning Danish can be an important part of the process of settling in. Surveys have shown that learning Danish benefits you both professionally and socially in Denmark. Learning Danish will give you an insight into Danish cultural and social norms. This is important for successful communication and networking, whether on a personal or a business level. Speaking Danish is thus a key competence valued by many Danish companies. It’s obviously good to go to a language school, but you will need to start using it out in the real world, so try and soak up as much as you can. Watch TV with subtitles, or look at newspapers, and start looking up words in the dictionary. The classes will give you an introduction, though they won’t give you a communicative competence, so you need to practise outside of the classroom.
3 REAL-LIFE REASONS TO LEARN DANISH Although there are many, there are three main practical reasons why expats living in Denmark choose to learn the language. Firstly, for employment opportunities and being able to fully access the labour market. Secondly, it is for cultural and social integration, and forms part of building a life in Denmark, making friends and being able to network. Finally there are the legal reasons such as being able to apply for Danish citizenship.
#1
SOCIAL INTEGRATION
There has been a lot of different analyses recently about how important it is to learn Danish, and all the research shows that if you’re planning to stay here, learning the language is the key to integrating into society. A number of international
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students who want more from their stay in Denmark, who want to become a part of Danish culture, identify the need to know the language as essential to this. Students are able to integrate better into universities and can socialise with ease if they are able to converse with the Danes in their own language. For parents with children, who will have to attend school and will be taught Danish, it is important that they too learn the language to be able to communicate with their children in Danish.
#2
JOB SATISFACTION
The philosophy behind Denmark’s integration programme is to combine work and language training wherever possible, as it is more motivating to be able to use the Danish language instantly in a work environment. If you work for an international company, you will still be working with Danes who won’t be speaking English all the time, so if you want to have a social life as well, it’s important. So for your wellness here, it’s fundamental. Also, one of the best places to improve your Danish language skills is in a Danish workplace.
#3
OFFICIAL PURPOSES
Adequate Danish language skills - including a certified exam - are also essential if you wish to get a permanent residence permit or eventually Danish citizenship. It pays off to give Danish language acquisition a high priority during your first few months in Denmark. All experience shows that the sooner you start attending Danish lessons – the faster and the better you will learn the language.
Source: http://www.eukn.org/; http://www.expatindenmark.com/; http:// internationalcommunity.dk/; http://denmark.dk/
TALKING
Clubs
From social (media) circles to language cafés – the best places to practice your Danish. If you want to successfully master the learning of a new language, your studies and engagement with the language needs to continue beyond the classroom. In Denmark, especially Copenhagen, there are several clubs, cafés and learning circles that offer homework help for adults, further language training and advice on how to adjust to life in Denmark. We discover a few of these…
LANGUAGE CAFÉ AT HUSUM LIBRARY In cooperation with the Danish Refugee Council, Husum Library and Civic Centre hosts a language café for adults. The cafe is open every Tuesday between 4pm and 6pm. Aside from having a cup of coffee or tea, adult language learners get support on: ✔ Writing job applications and CVs ✔ Language training ✔ Read and understand letters from public authorities, such as the municipality, the
school or the doctor. ✔ Help to prepare for the citizenship test ✔ How to fill in application forms for housing, family reunification and so on.
SOCIAL MEDIA CIRCLES There are many opportunities for you to learn Danish free of charge on the Internet. You can use social networks such as Facebook or Twitter to exchange dialogue with Danish speakers. A simple search on Facebook will bring up several groups to join, which will introduce you to others learning Danish. If group learning is not your thing, then you can also read and comment on blogs or read Danish newspapers and take part in the discussions at the bottom. You can also visit forums and websites about Danish culture and interact with content providers and other forum users. For listening understanding, you can watch Danish films and TV shows on the Internet with or without English subtitles depending on what
you need. The advantage of watching Danish shows on the Internet is that a huge collection of material is right at your fingertips.
HOMEWORK STUDYING AND LANGUAGE PRACTICE Danish Refugee Council’s volunteer network in Copenhagen (Nørrebro), offers a homework study group for adults, combined with social and cultural activities. The group takes place at Frivillighuset, Nørrebrogade 32, mezz, 2200 København, at the following times: Monday 10am – 9pm. Tuesday 10am – 9pm. Wednesday 12 noon – 9pm. Thursday 10am – 9pm. Friday 12 noon – 3pm. For more information, visit: www.frivillighuset.net. Source: http://www.foreningen-nydansker.dk/; https://bibliotek.kk.dk; http://frivillighuset.net/
SPRING 2016 LANGUAGE SCHOOL GUIDE ✱ 13
ADVERTORIAL
CHOOSE THE LANGUAGE SCHOOL
That suits you the best… Welcome to Denmark! Most newcomers have the right to free Danish courses as well as the right to choose between many different language schools… So which one should you choose? There are a number of things which you may ask yourself when choosing between language schools: Is the school easy to reach from my home, my work place or my place of study? Can I choose freely between day, evening and weekend classes? Does the school offer intensive courses? Is the course progression fast, and will it be focused heavily on pronunciation and correctness? Are the students in the class at the same level? Is there a possibility for Summer School? If I can´t participate in all the lessons - maybe because of work commitments - are the course materials available online or digitally, so that I can study when and where I want? The above mentioned questions are important to most students, and the vast majority of students who choose CLAVIS sprog & kompetence as their language school, do so because CLAVIS can answer YES to these questions.
HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF HOW STUDENTS DESCRIBE THEIR CLAVIS EXPERIENCE: “CLAVIS language instructors are excellent! Learning Danish can be a challenging and struggling experience at times, particularly when
having a full time job. By virtue of their long experience in teaching Danish to foreigners, CLAVIS instructors are well aware of the difficulties most students experience and how these can be overcome while simultaneously keeping a good steady progression.” “I can strongly recommend the CLAVIS Danish courses. The instructors are experienced and competent. The courses focus on practical daily communication and take place at a pace that is compatible with a full time job while simultaneous delivering visible results. The atmosphere within the course participants is exciting and provides good opportunities for social and professional networking.” “Danish is very important for me if I want to communicate with my colleagues in a better way. The CLAVIS language instructors are all very nice, humorous and patient. Their way in teaching pronunciation has impressed me very much. And the materials that they provide us with are particularly useful to enlarge our vocabulary for daily conversation. I can definitely recommend the Danish courses with CLAVIS; they are perfect for employees.”
Understanding
THE BASICS
Choose the best programme for you. The more than 60 language schools throughout Denmark offer various structured courses targeted at both the beginner and those more proficient in the language. However, generally there are two types of courses that form the foundation of learning. They are:
LABOUR MARKET-ORIENTED DANISH A beginners’ course for foreign workers, accompanying spouses, students and au pairs. The course comprises up to 250 hours of instruction over a maximum period of 18 months, and is divided into five 50-hour courses. Upon completion of the course, students then have a right to enrol in a Danish programme concluding with a Danish exam.
DANISH 1, 2 OR 3 PROGRAMMES These courses are structured to benefit specific groups of people, and range in their level of complexity or difficulty. Each programme has six modules and each module concludes with a test. The last module of each programme concludes with a state-administered Danish exam, which is a prerequisite for obtaining permanent residency and Danish citizenship. The following three course levels are available: DANISH 1 Designed for students with little or no previous schooling and students who have not learned to read and write in their native language, or who have no knowledge of the Latin alphabet. The programme comprises six modules. DANISH 2 Designed for students who have at least a short educational background from their home country. The programme comprises six modules. DANISH 3 Designed for students who have at least a medium-length or higher educational background from their home country. The programme
Denmark’s most effective Danish courses!
comprises five modules and concludes with a final exam. The sixth module is The Higher Education Exam, which is required for admission to higher education programmes.
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY SCREENING Before a course begins, students take part in an assessment of their language skills to ensure they are provided instruction at the right level. Following this, students are advised on, and choose, the best course for their specific needs. Source: http://dedanskesprogcentre.dk/en/sprogkurser/
www.kiss.dk
VUF offers free Danish courses to foreigners at all levels regardless of educational background
Welcome! - would you like to
Hear what other students say about VUF:
learn the language?
Start very quickly on day-, evening- or online courses
Free access to all school facilities
We offer Danish courses for you if you are a beginner or if you need to improve your Danish – eg. your pronunciation, oral and written proficiency, reading skills etc.
As a VUF student, you have access to all school facilities, e.g. canteen, IT-facilities - including wireless internet connection – and study lab and language lab, both with teacher counseling.
Call 38 15 85 21 or send an e-mail with your telephone number to: du-vejledning@vuf.nu
That is why I am learning Danish at VUF Scan the code and watch the movie on your phone.
+ Check:
vuf.nu
VUF has a total of 200 teachers and 4.000 students of myriad nationalities - approx. 850 students taking Danish courses for foreigners. This diversity is part of the strength of the study environment at VUF. Lindevangs Allé 10, 2000 Frederiksberg