CPH Language Center Supplement 2019

Learn Danish in the  of Copenhagen

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CPH LANGUAGE CENTER

INTRODUCTION

COPENHAGEN LANGUAGE CENTER: THE KEY TO A GOOD LIFE IN DENMARK It is a big decision for any individual to choose to settle in another country. It raises many questions for the employee and his or her family: “Where should I live? How do I find friends? What should I do in my spare time? Can my spouse find a job? What about the kids?” And last but not least: “What about the language?”

BY POUL KONSTANTIN NEERGAARD MANAGING DIRECTOR

The Danish business community is crying out for international employees in its bid to remain globally competitive.

And as companies and educational institutions increasingly recruit welltrained specialists from abroad, other sectors, such as hotels and restaurants, are also widening their scope and taking on employees of all levels.

With its excellent job prospects, along with good educational opportunities, Denmark has fast emerged as an attractive country to live in. Thousands of expats and their families are moving here, and it is obvious from a glance at its metropolitan areas that Denmark is rapidly internationalising as a result.

An investment in the future Our studies and experience conclude that the very best investment the new arrivals can make is getting to know the Danish language. It is an invaluable tool if they are able to learn and practise basic Danish. Foreign workers who quickly leave Denmark oſten cite their lack of language skills as the main reason.

Knowledge of the language opens the doors to Danish society, nurturing respect among colleagues, friends and neighbours. And once inside the door, we encourage out students to gain a good knowledge of Danish culture and customs. Furthermore, the classroom also doubles as a networking forum to interact with other expats.

More than 25 years of experience of effectively teaching Danish has enabled

Copenhagen Language Center to intuitively understand what its students need. We offer tailor-made language courses to all levels, which are available online, taught in the classrooms at our school or provided at the companies themselves.

COPENHAGEN LANGUAGE CENTER Founded over 25 years ago, the language school takes on more than 6,000 students every year The school helps students to develop all aspects of their Danish language skills at the same time, or target certain areas that you want to improve on – such as pronunciation.

If you’re a complete beginner you can register for a free orientation meeting to help choose the best course for you.

Or if you have some experience with the Danish language, then you are advised to book a free placement test to determine your skill level.

Copenhagen Language Center Valdermarsgade 16, 1665 Cph V 3321 3131 adm@kbh-sprogcenter.dk www.kbh-sprogcenter.dk/en

At the heart of a fast transition Copenhagen Language Center is at the heart of this transition thanks to a number of collaborations with companies that use a lot of their resources to recruit specialists from abroad. There is fierce competition to attract the best employees.

We have consulted a great many companies as to how they approach the process of recruiting international employees.

And our main conclusion is that the process must be seen as an investment, as retention is the all-important factor.

Experience shows it can be difficult to retain international employees and that a great deal of attention needs to be paid to enabling them to thrive – both in the workplace and at leisure.

CPH LANGUAGE CENTER

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THE COURSES

COPENHAGEN LANGUAGE CENTER: COURSES TO SUIT ALL NEEDS

BY ARUSHI RAJPUT, JOURNALIST

DIFFERENT COURSE OPTIONS:

Copenhagen Language Center (CLC) has 25 years’ worth of experience teaching Danish language courses to all levels, from beginner to advanced, both online and in person.

Danish Course Standard all levels; four to eight weeks per level Danish Course Standard is a fast progression course suitable for those who want to fit the classes into their busy schedules. It is a quick course with a special emphasis on speaking and pronunciation skills to ensure that you can quickly start using Danish in your everyday life. Since the students are mostly working professionals oſten coming to the classes straight aſter work, the teachers try to make the atmosphere energetic and lively – with the use of quizzes, games, films and music.

Every year, more than 6,000 students from varied backgrounds study at this institute situated in the heart of Copenhagen.

The school doesn’t just help you learn the Danish language but also gives you an insight into Denmark and its culture.

Every course unit is carefully structured according to the language skills defined in CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

With a welcoming environment and highly-trained teachers with the utmost commitment, you are bound to thrive!

Impress your new colleagues!

The language center offers you a range of courses catering to your individual needs and circumstances.

There is a course for all levels: beginner, intermediate or advanced.

You can choose to learn online as well – which means there is nothing stopping you from making a start before you move to Denmark.

The ‘Intensive Online Danish Course’ (see below) is perfect for professionals who want to impress their colleagues on their first day of work – aſter all, learning another culture’s language demonstrates open-mindedness and a willingness to adapt.

Or if you’re moving to Denmark ahead of a September 1 start, maybe you should consider the Danish Summer School for Beginners course (see below).

Remember that if you’ve already learnt Danish before, you can also take CLC’s free orientation or placement test to know which level you should start from.

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CPH LANGUAGE CENTER

Intensive Online Danish all levels; online; eight weeks per level This course is suitable for those of you who can’t attend classes in person every week.

Intensive Online Danish is a flexible and fast-paced course, accessible whenever and wherever it suits you. The course provides you will all the necessary material – lessons, assignments, feedback, digital exercises and quizzes – for 5-10 hours of self-study per week.

Danish Summer School for Beginners beginner level; four days a week The summer school is the perfect way to spend your summer if you’re new to the language and want to get a headstart before working or studying in Denmark. This is an intense course spanning four weeks, and it is a great way to blend in with the Danish culture. There are educational excursions based on the theme ‘Summer in Copenhagen’ taking you through the streets of Nørrebro, Vesterbro and Frederiksberg.

Danish Course Plus beginner level; two days a week Danish Course Plus provides you with extensive instruction and in-depth knowledge about the language covering four aspects: listening, reading, speaking and writing. This course is suitable for those who have ample time and a desire to immerse themselves in the language for a long period of time.

Learning Danish is not just a matter of learning to say words, but also learning about living an active life in Denmark. Danish Course Plus offers holistic instruction to help you get off to a good start in Denmark.

Danish Course on Saturday all levels; one day a week for eight weeks The Saturday Danish course is perfect for those who want to devote their weekends to learning the language. It is a good choice if you can study independently and effectively.

The course employs a wide spectrum of learning methods – all of which actively engage and involve you.

Danish Pronunciation course intermediate and advanced levels; one day a week An intensive pronunciation course to help you get to grips with Danish phonetics, sounds and accents so that you understand Danes better – and so that the Danes understand you! This highly practical course is suitable for all, but it is not recommended for beginners. This is a supplementary course and can be part of an extended process of learning Danish.

Danish course for Scandinavians advanced level; one day a week for two months This course is specifically designed for fellow Scandinavians speaking one of the other Nordic languages: Swedish, Norwegian, Icelandic or Faroese. You will require less effort to learn Danish and the focus will only be on small differences in speaking and writing.

FVU Intermediate and advanced levels; morning/ evening Aimed at students who already have a good grasp of Danish, the course focuses on improving fluency and comprehension. Three specialist courses are available: FVU Start, FVU Reading, and FVU Mathematics.

To find out more about the Copenhagen Language Center and its courses, visit kbhsprogcenter.dk/en

Copenhagen Capacity is the formal investment promotion agency of Greater Copenhagen, supporting foreign companies, investors and recruits to have a successful start in Denmark by onboarding them into the Danish market and society.

ULRIK JANTZEN

BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE

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Nikolai Lubanski, the director of talent attraction at the company, shared with us how the aspect of learning Danish comes into play for international teams and expats moving to the Danish capital.

How does the collaboration with Copenhagen Language Center fit in your vision?

It fits in the sense that even though many companies have their corporate language as English, it is still necessary to know the local language. What we try to brand is that by moving to Denmark as an international team, you don’t only get a job, you also get a life. It’s been a great asset for our marketing to say that we will assist them in getting a life and being connected – of which learning the language is an essential aspect.

What has the feedback been like for the language courses the school offers?

One of Copenhagen Capacity’s own employees attended the course, so I know that it really worked. The internationals enjoyed being together with like-minded people – peers whose life situations were more like theirs.

They could also then use it for networking along with the learning processes. They simply found it great to have taken the course.

Is there a reason that you chose Copenhagen Language Center over the others in the market?

Firstly, they had a very good reputation and were seen as doing a very professional job.

Secondly, they’re flexible. We had become used to our international teams citing one problem: “The courses are not flexible enough and if we just go and take the open courses that are normally there, we will be put in a class with people from varied backgrounds.” They wanted something more specific to cater to the people at work and so Copenhagen Language Center developed a new course called Danish for Professionals, which was taught in aſter-work hours and directed at a special segment with similar education backgrounds.

What is Copenhagen Language Center’s core strength?

They adjust their courses to a company’s needs. This tailor-made approach that they adopt for specific groups – professionals,

students etc – is an example of how well they adjust their programs to specific situations and market needs.

How does your collaboration with them exactly function?

We include them in our marketing materials, and brand the school as a part of our onboarding activities. If companies and expats seem interested, we redirect them to the language school. If, for example, a company asks us about how they can do a great onboarding and retain talent, then we advise them to start with the language course and assist their employees.

How many companies seem interested in the prospect of getting their international hires to learn Danish?

It’s been around four years since we collaborated, and now there are almost 7,000 international teams interested in taking the courses. Probably around 80 percent of the companies we deal with acknowledge the need because they look at the return on investment.

How important is Danish at the workplace?

Even though most people here are able to speak English, knowing Danish helps you get into different settings. You would be better acquainted with the country and also your workplace – it is a part of getting out of the international bubble. And likewise, for the international individual talent: simply because we believe that even if the corporate language is English, the career language is definitely Danish – to open new doors and opportunities

for promotions. It is a good idea if you want to network and further your abilities.

And in the corporate world – for a company as an entity?

Oſten companies start working more with Danish customers, and then it’s handy to have Danish speaking staff for good customerrelation building. It is important to know the language while working with clients, manufacturers and suppliers who are still very reluctant to communicate only in English.

Moreover, it is essential for B2B relations and to understand the work culture of Denmark.

Apart from at work, how essential is Danish in everyday life?

There are definitely other benefits of learning Danish looking from the personal livability side of it. I emphasise learning it to have a fuller life and being able to interact with the Danes.

For families, it is helpful to know Danish when their kids are studying in Denmark to speak with the teachers and understand instructions – if they have to go to the doctor, to the supermarket etc. They will obviously navigate their way through in English, but Danish helps them get so much closer to society.

What do you think about the future of expats in Denmark?

I think it will only increase because if you look at the labour market situation over the last few years, internationals are highly needed. Hopefully, we will see some positive times looking at what is really needed than what the strict immigration policies do.

INTERVIEW: ARUSHI RAJPUT

CPH LANGUAGE CENTER

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LEARNING DANISH

LINGUA DANCA THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING DANISH

BY EDWARD OWEN, JOURNALIST

If you’re new to Copenhagen, there’s a good chance you will have never heard anything quite like the Danish language. Sure, maybe you’ve watched a few episodes of ‘The Bridge’, but essentially your brain switches onto autopilot as you read the subtitles.

You’ve also noticed that the Danes seem to speak pretty good English. And so, you could easily convince yourself that learning the language isn’t really a priority.

The fact of the matter is there are of course a myriad of advantages to learning the native language of your new home – especially given the strong possibility that you won’t want to leave.

Employment: Avoid the creek!

Some ability in Danish will present you with a wider range of choice in your chosen profession.

Perhaps you’re here in Copenhagen because you work for a large international company and the official language is English. However, there is no doubt that new opportunities within such firms – in different departments or new projects – will be available to you if you can grasp Danish.

But what if you came here as a refugee of love or to follow your spouse, and your qualifications (a bachelor’s degree for example) aren’t what the big companies are thinking of when they talk about ‘highlyskilled foreigners’. The truth is that even if you find a job that specifies mother tongue English, they will very oſten still want you to speak Danish when socialising with the other workers. Such a situation can spoil the office hygge!

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CPH LANGUAGE CENTER

Within the service industry there are some employers who don’t have a preference on your Danish language skills and there are some that do. The point remains: you will have more options if you can get to grips with Danish.

Whatever your profession, you will eventually find yourself in a situation in which knowledge of Danish is highly advantageous at work.

The time may also come where you want to change your job or employer, and it’s at this point that the ability to use the language will open up significantly more opportunities than those already within your reach.

Education: Join the clique!

Attending university is one of the main reasons for the large international presence in Copenhagen, and learning Danish will also help at school.

Remember: many programs are available in English, but the number is being cut. Now, we’re not suggesting you move to Denmark and immediately enrol onto a course taught in Danish, but there is a significant amount of group work involved in a Danish education.

Inevitably, you will find yourself in one such group as the only foreigner.

Imagine; you take a five-minute break from your group work and grab a coffee. Upon

LEARNING DANISH

your return your peers are chattering away in Danish – no big deal, right? Wrong. It turns out that as you were gazing off into the distance, important decisions were made about the direction of the group project. If only you had understood, you could have recognised the importance of the conversation.

Socially: Power when you speak!

It’s also important to consider your social life outside of work. Making friends with Danes can be a tough audition. Being able to converse in Danish will really allow you to immerse yourself in society and glide through social interactions and feel more at home.

The day-to-day situations in which a good command of Danish can be an advantage are numerous, but here are a few examples.

‘Getting around’ – place names, directions, announcements on transport – particularly out in the regions where far fewer Danes tend to speak English well. Imagine you’re sat on the train and it fails to depart – there’s an announcement and everyone gets off the train.

You can assume this train is going nowhere – but what did the announcement say?!

could prove to be the difference – offering crucial clarity and timesaving.

Culturally: New horizons to seek Ultimately it might come down to how well you want to get to know and appreciate your new home. Imagine the excitement many feel at being able to read and appreciate Hans Christian Andersen’s stories in their original language, or the philosophy of Søren Kierkegaard.

Danish also connects you with the past and the culture and history of northern Europe. It developed from Old Norse, which eventually split into Old West Norse, spoken in Norway and Iceland, and Old East Norse, spoken in Sweden and Denmark.

Eventually, Old East Norse evolved into the Danish that is spoken today. Believe it or not, there are many regional dialects in Denmark and its territories, of which many are still spoken today.

If you understand Danish you can go to more events, exhibitions and social happenings.

Learning Danish will make you aware they are happening in the first place and will also allow you to get more out of them once you are there.

And don’t forget that Danish is closely related to Norwegian and Swedish, even if their Scandinavian neighbours to tend to mock the Danes for sounding as if we speak with a potato in our mouths. So you’re not just learning one language, but three!

Norwegian (bokmål) is almost a carbon copy of Danish, with a few distinctions irrelevant to normal every-day use.

Swedish uses some unique words and phrases, but to a great extent is very understandable to Danish speakers.

‘Life administration’ – paying bills, making purchases online, understanding receipts and terms and conditions, checking the small print etc. You are responsible for your own tax assessment in Denmark – receiving a large tax bill at the end of the year is not ideal.

‘Basic communication’ – not just with the Danes, but with a sizeable chunk of the 10 percent of the population who aren’t Danish, but don’t speak English. Immigrating from countries like Eritrea, Afghanistan and Syria, they wouldn’t have learned English as a child, but most will speak Danish aſter being here for a few months.

‘Making new friends’ – not just with the Danes but also the social outlet offered by language school. Many oſten remain friends for decades, and it’s not unknown for some to start sports clubs once the learning experience is over.

‘Complaining’ – whether it’s in a checkout queue or at the traffic lights, if you’re speaking in English, will they admit to understanding you?

‘Eavesdropping’ – fun in any language.

‘Safety’ – last, but by no means least. In an emergency situation, Danish language skills CPH LANGUAGE CENTER

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kbh-sprogcenter-plakat-hygge-50x70.pdf

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hygge

Learn Danish with Copenhagen Language Center

Hyg dig!

Råhygge

Uhyggelig

[ Raw cosiness ]

[ Un-cosy ]

[ Cosy yourself / Have a cosy time ]

Extremely cosy/ chilling with friends

Scary, spooky, eerie

Enjoy yourself!

Hyggesnak [ Cosy chat ]

Vi skal rigtig hygge

Hvor bor I hyggeligt

[ We’ll really cosy ]

A lovely chit chat

We’ll have a lovely time

[ You live very cosily ]

What a lovely home you have!

Det lyder hyggeligt [ That sounds cosy ]

En hyggelig fætter

Sounds good / like sth i’ll enjoy

Hyggestund [ cosy time / moment ]

cosy time on your own or with friends

[ A cosy cousin ]

A pleasant and friendly guy

BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE

Annette Juel Baunsgaard started Onboarding2dk earlier this year with the aim of ‘onboarding’ incoming expats into a comfortable life in Denmark by giving them the necessary assistance to settle in and blend into the local culture.

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Her successful collaboration with the Copenhagen Language Center has enabled her clients to feel a step ahead in the Danish environment.

Can you tell us a bit about Onboarding2dk?

Onboarding to Denmark is a company I started in March this year. I have been in the recruitment and onboarding industry for over 20 years at different kinds of companies, including the HR department at DTU and Copenhagen Business School.

I built a great network there in regard to the authorities and municipalities, which is the reason I was able to then start my own business. I am dedicated to helping people getting a good start in Denmark. That’s my motivation.

How important do you think it is for internationals to learn Danish?

Learning the Danish language is a very important way for internationals to pave their way into Danish society. That way they can socialise, integrate and have a better life in Denmark, which is much better than the one in which you don’t understand anything being said across the table. In my work, I have seen many internationals leave Denmark because they don’t feel they can interact with the people and in society.

Speaking the language will give you a sense of belonging and a good life here.

What’s the importance of Danish in the workplace?

I would say it is very important. It is among the most important things to learn when you are an expat working here. You can understand things that are being said in the workplace and break the otherwise prevalent cultural barrier. It’s a tendency for employees to talk in Danish during lunch and not to integrate with internationals sometimes. So it’s crucial to mix with the crowd.

And for the expat’s family ...

It depends on how long you are planning to be in Denmark. If it’s more than two years, then it’s very important to at least learn the basics. It helps with socializing

– for example with one’s neighbours. It’s a good way to break into society and develop friendships, which can be quite a challenge otherwise in Denmark. Having a social life is very important. You want to be happy – that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?

Why did you choose to collaborate with Copenhagen Language Center over others in the country?

The HR departments at DTU and CBS were working with Copenhagen Language Center at the time I was there. So I have been with the school for a long time. I’ve always had a good feeling about the school. We’ve had a good working relationship, and that’s why I got them on board for my own venture.

What do you think are their strengths?

What makes them particularly stand out from the other schools?

They are very professional in their teaching methods and giving their expertise. The teachers make it fun to learn the language without it being too technical. They have been around for several years and yet continuously keep adapting themselves to the ongoing market scenario, which is a very positive factor.

How does your collaboration with them exactly work?

My partnering companies that employ the internationals have the opportunity to pay for the language course, and I am the mediator. I direct them to the school. The

companies are usually very keen for their recruits to learn Danish. The employees then start attending classes at the school – usually in September or February. Although I suggest waiting at least two to three months aſter arriving in the country to start the classes, as the initial period of settling-in is very hectic. I also encourage people to join Danish clubs and societies based on their interests – maybe football, handball etc – as that’s a good way to practise the skills they learn at the language center.

How has your experience been so far with the language center?

The collaboration is very easy-going, and they do their utmost. They have a good motivation to teach the language. They follow the market and continuously develop themselves. I think that’s a very positive thing with working with them. We’ll continue with them.

What do you think about the future of expats in Denmark and the growing importance of the Danish language?

I hope it will be a mixture of languages and cultures. Danish people also perhaps might learn more languages in order to know about the other nationalities around them. I hope that’s the way it goes. When you come to a new country as an expat, you should learn the language of course and hopefully from someone like Copenhagen Language Center. Hopefully more expats actually learn the language.

INTERVIEW: ARUSHI RAJPUT

CPH LANGUAGE CENTER

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GUIDE TO THE DANISH 'NÅ' FLUENT IN DANISH WITH JUST ONE WORD [nʌ] [nʌː] [nɒː] [nʌˈnʌ] [ˈnʌ nʌ]

Nårh …

NåJeg har brugt denne ”character picker”

I hear you/go on ...

Scepticism/doubt

h p://schwa.dk/filer/ipacharpick/ Nå (ja) ...

Nå (hvasså)? ...

How are you doing?

I forgot

Nå nå (Slap af)

Nå (da)!

Give it a break, will you?!

Genuine surprise

Nå (kom nu)

Nåårh

Impatient (let's get started)

So sweet/cute

Nå!!!

Nåååh!

Threat (I'II get you)

Now I understand (it)!

Nå (nej)

Nå!

You're right

M E R E E N D G O D U N D E RV I S N I N G

I really don't care

VALDEMARSGADE 16, 1665 KØBENHAVN V ADM@KBH-SPROGCENTER.DK / PHONE +45 33213131 WWW.KBH-SPROGCENTER.DK

BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE

Thomas Mulhern is the managing director of Globally Local, an organisation that assists companies with diversity management programs and creating a seamless onboarding program for the expats.

Globally Local places great value on both the practical and existential needs of the newly recruited internationals and their families.

We chatted with Thomas about the importance of Danish in the workplace and how Copenhagen Language Center is a strategic partner in Globally Local’s expat program.

Could you describe your working relationship with Copenhagen Language Center?

We have carried out consultancy work for them in the past and helped them with strategies aſter the government stopped funding for the public language courses.

They are also our strategic partner in terms of delivering language services for the incoming expats, which are part of our onboarding packages.

Why is the school a good fit for you over others in the country?

Firstly, we have a great working relationship with Poul, the managing director. We also like the vision and the mission of the school, and that they have over 25 years of experience in the field. They have had tens of thousands of students and have a strong growth mindset about really trying to possibly adapt in this new market.

companies where the corporate language What do you think is the school’s Far ve specialty? is English, so there’s not that expectation. lThey specialise only in Danish and that GoodThere -Byeare others where employees are is very unique. Some might see this is expected to learn the language – otherwise as a disadvantage that they don’t offer they will just be given the minutes of a other languages, but I see it as their core meeting and then a brief summary at the competency. It has always been their core end. mission to teach the Danish language. They However, if you really want to maximise also have a very talented, highly educated your ability to thrive at your workplace, staff who have been involved in writing Danish is a must; you will invariably reach some of the Danish foreign language a certain level in the organisation where teaching material. having Danish is almost a prerequisite to be able to have influence.

What kind of feedback have you received about the school from the What about the importance of learning internationals?

Danish for an international’s social life – The feedback we’ve heard so far has been in the wider community away from the extremely positive in terms of former workplace? students. They actually have a very strong Indeed. It’s also important in terms of marketing apparatus – kind of an alumni social life – to make local friends and to group where students are connected to participate in different clubs that which their teachers. That really signifies how are predominantly Danish. If you have pleased the learners are with their language your children at a Danish school, then the development, and they recommend it to communication is primarily in Danish. There others. are a lot of such places throughout society where it’s really beneficial to just be able How does the strategic collaboration to read Danish and speak Danish to make with them exactly function in your life easier. We can see a direct correlation onboarding package? between settling in and learning the It is about being able to provide the linguistic language and how that impacts well-being. piece of the puzzle in terms of integration.

We work with corporate companies who What do you think about the future of need our help with the onboarding of expats in Denmark in general? global talent. Any language training that is Well, we can see that the number of necessary as part of the integration process expats keeps growing – especially in the is directed to our strategic partner – the Copenhagen area. So I expect that trend language center. Globally Local also works to continue. I think that in terms of the with individual expats who also want to influence that it will have on society, it learn Danish, and it refers them to the depends. It’s like there is a glass ceiling school. for many top leaders who come from a different culture and don’t speak the Danish What’s the importance of Danish in the language, which prevents them from making corporate sector? it to the top levels. But we will see how the At a strategic level we see that learning changing demographics affect that and how Danish is crucial in terms of building up Denmark reacts to more diversity, because a network of especially Danes, as well it’s historically a monoculture. as having more influence and increased wellbeing at the workplace.

From the company’s perspective, they see it as a cog in terms of maximising employee performance and retaining a higher percentage of global talent so that they can contribute in the best way possible.

Do you think that the companies also push their employees to opt for the language – more than it being an option, maybe some companies actually have a necessity?

Some do. It’s a mix. There are some

Do you think that the Danish language is one of the important factors that comes into play?

I think it’s a very important factor. It’s a way of building bridges. If you move to a society, it’s a way of demonstrating that I’m here and I want to understand you, a Dane, today in your native tongue. I want to communicate at the best possible level. And that’s a great way of showing it. It’s a way of showing that you want to be active and participate.

INTERVIEW: ARUSHI RAJPUT

CPH LANGUAGE CENTER

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TEACHING PERSPECTIVE

NAME: RIKKE JENSEN NATIONALITY: DANISH AGE: 48

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How long have you been a teacher at Copenhagen Language Center?

Five months. I teach in classrooms, online, and at companies. I have 20 years of experience teaching Danish as a second language at gymnasium, university and language schools.

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What makes Copenhagen Language Center stand out from other schools?

Its progressive approach to teaching and embracing new methods – particularly during its transition from being publicly supported to becoming private.

Success is a collaboration. What do the students need to bring to the table to achieve good results?

Motivation and a positive attitude in the classroom is very important. As a teacher I also consider it part of my job to give that to the students.

How would you sum up the methods and character of the teaching staff?

I have the best colleagues. Teachers of Danish as a second language tend to be open-minded and have a great knowledge of

language and culture, which they are really good at transferring into teaching.

To be open to learning the language – and to not be scared of pronunciation!

What would you advise internationals who live in Denmark about learning Danish?

Some internationals are adamant they don’t need to learn Danish because everyone speaks such good English.

What would you tell them?

It is their own choice, but they should know that the language will give them more opportunities, whilst also enabling them to build better relations.

Presumably you derive satisfaction out of teaching somebody Danish. Any success stories you’d care to share? Or friendships?

I love my job, and I particularly like teaching in a multicultural environment. It always opens interesting perspectives and it enables me to observe my own language, culture and society through new eyes – every day.

If you had to pick three or five words that best sum up the centre’s recipe for success, what would you choose?

Great digital platforms, ongoing development of the content of our curriculum and teaching – oh, and great teachers!

INTERVIEW: BH

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CPH LANGUAGE CENTER

TEACHING PERSPECTIVE

NAME: KENN CHRISTENSEN NATIONALITY: DANISH AGE: 43

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How long have you been a teacher at the centre?

Almost 11 years.

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What makes Copenhagen Language Center stand out from other schools?

I can’t say how other schools operate, but I know that the teachers here care about delivering effective teaching and classes where all are welcome and no-one gets ‘leſt behind’.

A glance at the Facebook page reveals hundreds of glowing endorsements, with the majority of students giving the centre five out of five. Why does the centre have such a good reputation?

We have a good product! You are taught by educated and helpful teachers in a friendly and inclusive environment. As a student, you also have access to our portal where numerous exercises, quizzes, videos and more are available when you have time and need to practise – and, of course, a detailed plan of the course you are following.

Success is a collaboration. What do the students need to bring to the table to achieve good results?

A positive and open mindset and the will to work on the language when they’re not in class. The first two are important because Danish can at times seem like climbing a mountain with no end to it. Then it is important to focus on what you actually can say or do in instead of all the things you have not learned yet. Being open-minded, both in class and outside, will definitely speed up your learning. So embrace the strange pronunciation and try your best, even though it feels embarrassing the first few times. Get into it!

The ‘will to work’ refers to how you will obviously learn faster if you practise at home. For example, try a few bits at work, listen to Danish podcasts or TV and, of course, do your homework.

find a routine whereby you practise Danish every day, whether it be listening to Danish music, speaking with friends, writing a few lines etc.

Some internationals are adamant they don’t need to learn Danish because everyone speaks such good English.

What would you tell them?

You can live a life in Denmark without speaking any Danish, but language is an important part of our culture and our society. Your life here will open up so to speak, and things will make sense in a completely different way when you understand what your colleagues are talking about in the canteen, whether your mother-in-law is praising you or not, or when you’re watching the news and actually

comprehending what they’re talking about.

Presumably you derive satisfaction out of teaching somebody Danish. Any success stories you’d care to share? Or friendships?

I have seen numerous examples of people at this school starting with no knowledge of Danish, who aſter completing their courses can actually speak Danish at work or at home with their spouses and children. It is not an easy language and it takes effort, but it can definitely be done!

If you had to pick three words that best sum up the centre’s recipe for success, what would you choose?

Professionalism, dedication INTERVIEW: BH accommodating.

What would you advise internationals who live in Denmark about learning Danish?

If possible, speak Danish with the Danes! We Danes love to speak English, but it is worth speaking (even just a little) Danish in order to push yourself in the right direction. Not all situations are perfect for this, so try to find a place and time with a Dane where you can be relaxed and have fun with it. And try to CPH LANGUAGE CENTER

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LEARNING PERSPECTIVE

NAME: RUSSELL COLLINS NATIONALITY: BRITISH A CURRENT STUDENT Why did you choose Copenhagen Language Center? What made it stand out from other schools?

Its marketing – that’s how I noticed it first.

Then every time I spoke with them or visited, they were always very on the ball and motivated to help. I also wanted to study in town as opposed to the suburbs.

What did you achieve at the school?

I have just passed FVU 2 and will start the FVU 3 course in August.

Success is a collaboration. What do the students need to bring to the table to achieve good results?

Students need to attend the classes regularly. This is very important as it’s easy to get leſt behind. And make sure you do all the homework.

And how would you sum up the methods and character of the teaching staff?

Actually the teachers are fantastic. They are all a little different in certain ways but are very motivated and efficient in class. They really seem to enjoy teaching, which makes

a big difference.

What would you advise internationals who live in Denmark about learning Danish?

It’s not easy but worth doing as it makes a difference in many areas of life here in Denmark. It’s a real sense of achievement when you manage to have decent conversations with Danes, in Danish.

Do you feel improving your Danish has opened more doors for you in Denmark?

Firstly, just trying to speak Danish – it makes a big difference. Now it’s really important, as all my children’s school stuff, teacher meetings, parent parties etc … are all in Danish and I’m able to be involved and don’t feel leſt out.

Would you recommend others to take a course at Copenhagen Language Center?

Yes, I would highly recommend Copenhagen Language Center. It seems to me to be more professional than others I’ve tried.

If you had to pick three or five words that best sum up the centre’s recipe for success, what would you choose?

Motivated teachers, teaching with clarity.

INTERVIEW: BH

getting to know new languages (this was the sixth language I have learned) and I feel that language is a big part of culture through which it it easier to connect to people from that culture. I had no requirements from my universities to learn Danish. It was purely for myself, and also I thought it would look good on my CV.

NAME: CHARLOTTE PIETSCH NATIONALITY: GERMAN A FORMER STUDENT Why did you move to Denmark?

I moved to Denmark to take two semesters as part of my double degree program in international business along with international sales and marketing management. I moved in August 2018 and have since moved back to Berlin (end of June 2019).

Why did you want to learn Danish? Was it important for your work or studies?

I wanted to learn Danish because I enjoy

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CPH LANGUAGE CENTER

Why did you choose Copenhagen Language Center and what do you like the most about it?

I chose Copenhagen Language Center because I have a friend who took Danish lessons there and she was very happy with the school. Also, it was the most affordable and convenient possibility for me to learn Danish. Convenient because of the scheduling of the classes and the location.

Also I liked how the courses and modules used the standard A1 / A2 / B1 / B2 system, so I knew which level to sign up for.

Did you enroll in any other language school before Copenhagen Language Center?

I have never enrolled in another language school to learn Danish before.

How would you describe the teaching methods at Copenhagen Language

Center and how did they help you?

The teaching methods are very helpful in my opinion because classes are very interactive and interdisciplinary. We used a mix of talking to each other, listening, and reading in each class, and time always flew by pretty quickly. I am an auditive learner, meaning it helps me to listen to the teacher, my classmates, and the audio files to the texts in the book. Furthermore, since Danish is similar to German in regards to grammar, I had no trouble understanding new rules and new sentence structures.

Would you recommend Copenhagen Language Center to anyone wanting to learn Danish?

I would recommend Copenhagen Language Center to friends or other people wanting to learn Danish because I think the school has a good approach to teaching and learning. Even though the official language tests cannot be taken there, I think it is a good alternative (since it was an official school with official language tests before).

The teachers are qualified and nice and very understanding of any problem that might come up. I think the price is great – particularly when you take into consideration that this includes the course book.

INTERVIEW: RUCHI PUJARI

LEARNING PERSPECTIVE

NAME: MATTHEW LIVESEY NATIONALITY: BRITISH A CURRENT STUDENT Why did you move to Denmark?

I got transferred to Denmark for work about two years ago. My wife and I decided to give it a try, but back then we didn’t know if it would be long term or short term. But two years down the line, we are happy we moved to Denmark. It is one of the best places to raise your children.

Why did you want to learn Danish? Was it important to your work?

Actually, the company I work with, Nordea, is quite an international company. It has branches and offices in Poland, Sweden, Norway and Finland, and hence the business language for us is English. I am in a very lucky position that I don’t need to know Danish for my job. But I wanted to learn the language so I could interact better and understand more about what’s going on.

Why did you choose Copenhagen Language Center and what do you like about it the most?

At the time that I started, the Copenhagen Language Center was still running the standard Danish module that was provided by the municipality, and there were a few different possibilities and at that time it was free. One of the reasons why I enrolled in Copenhagen Language Center was that I heard good things about it. But the main reason was that they had a course called ‘Danish for Professionals’ and the key thing NAME: MARCELA SAMBOL NATIONALITY: CROATIAN A FORMER STUDENT What did you achieve on the course?

I have received a basic knowledge of the Danish language – especially regarding pronunciation, which I think is the hardest aspect. I can finally speak a little bit of Danish and understand so much more.

What did you particularly appreciate about the summer school?

I really liked how it was so intense and I was really happy with our teachers who were amazing at helping us understand how the Danish language works. Of course, meeting new people and making new friends made the experience really special.

Would you recommend the Copenhagen Language Center to others?

Absolutely

about it was that they held classes only one night a week rather than multiple times in a week. It fit right into my schedule. I only had to go to class once a week and therefore had plenty of time to do the homework.

What do you like about the teaching methods at the Copenhagen Language Center?

I like that their teaching is focused more on how to have conversations. For me, I can pick up some books and learn grammar, but I don’t think it is possible to learn to have a conversation without being in a room full of people wanting to learn the same language, along with a teacher. I feel that their teaching is excellent. For example, there are between 10-20 students in a class and it is quite an interactive session. The teacher gives an assignment and we have to work amongst ourselves. Everyone speaks in Danish. The instructions and conversations are in Danish, and it really helps me to improve my Danish. It’s three and a half hours per week and it is completely in Danish, and I don’t really get that a lot. My office colleagues who are Danish speak in English about work stuff that needs to be understood.

Would you recommend Copenhagen Language Center to anybody wanting to learn the language?

Yes, I definitely would. In fact, I already have!

INTERVIEW: RUCHI PUJARI

What would you advise internationals who live in Denmark about learning Danish?

I would advise them to relax and speak and practise Danish in any given situation. Many people are afraid or too shy. But practice makes perfect. Watch Danish TV and listen to Danish radio stations, as that helps a lot too.

How do you think learning Danish has enhanced your life in Denmark? What doors has it opened?

Even though everyone speaks English in Denmark, I think it’s important to learn Danish. My child will learn Danish as his first language, and I want to be able to understand him and talk to him in Danish as well. I want to be able to be a real Danish citizen. It will surely open many more doors for me because it will be easier to find my dream job as well as making my everyday life easier.

CPH LANGUAGE CENTER

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COPENHAGEN POST

DENMARK’S LEADING SOURCE FOR NEWS IN ENGLISH CPH POST publishes a free printed newspaper

consisting of around 32 pages that includes one or more additional supplement. Published twice per month, it has a print-run of 10,000. The paper is distributed to companies, hotels, agencies, embassies, schools and other places frequented by expats in Denmark.

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS are included with

www.cis.dk

A SCHOOL WHERE ITY, SUSTAINABIL COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE AND ACADEMIC GO HAND IN HAND

the paper on specific themes. These can be anything from profiles of countries with embassy involvement, tips on relocating to Denmark, learning Danish, providing a helping hand through the educational system or profiling events such as the Copenhagen Jazz Festival.

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CPH POST has an editorial staff of

WELCOME TO

MAY/JUNE 2018 CPHPOST.DK

Our target readership is more than 200,000: diplomats, university researchers, corporate professionals, teachers, students, tourists, as well as online visitors from outside Denmark.

COPENHAGEN

VISIT: Specific for tourists and

placed in over 100 hotels and 300 cafés/bars. Release months: May, July and September.

THE RETURN OF COLOUR

Foodies, fashionistas and flower enthusiasts rejoice!

Feast your eyes on the fabulous hues of spring

journalists with skills obtained in an English-speaking country who have lived in Denmark long enough to understand the country and its inhabitants.

T H E CO P E N H AG E N P O ST TO U R I S M M AGA Z I N E • M AY/J U N E 2 0 18

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CPH POST serves the community in real-time, while delivering commercial information/advertising to a group of consumers that might otherwise be hard to reach.

THE DAILY POST is a free online bulletin sent out Monday-Friday at 12 o'clock with the top stories of the day. A quick glimpse tells you all you need to know about Danish news.

DIPLOMACY magazine, there are 171 countries on the diplomatic list in Denmark.

Of these, 74 have embassies in the Copenhagen area.

The centre pages of our supplement are devoted to a comprehensive list of these – together with photographs of each ambassador. This also includes ambassadors stationed in Sweden, Norway, Finland, the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands.

CPH POST has a free ONLINE news service –

www.cphpost.dk – with articles about expats, Danes and Denmark. ONLINE receives more than 200,000 unique visitors per month.

International House Copenhagen • Gyldenløvesgade 11, 1.sal • 1600 Copenhagen V Phone: +45 9393 9201 • www.cphpost.dk • Email: sales@cphpost.dk