LANGUAGE SCHOOL: CPH POST Supplement, Winter 2017

SO MANY SCHOOLS but which is best for me?

LEARN DANISH

your passport to integration

Poul Neergaard

ADVERTORIAL

FACILITATING INTEGRATION

THROUGH LEARNING DANISH

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 Stephen Gadd of the CPH 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 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 labour, so our courses reflect this. DDS works closely with the players in the labour market in Denmark, as well as with local government and legislators, to assist job-seekers as much as possible.

Q: WHO CAN BENEFIT MOST FROM LANGUAGE COURSES?

The short answer is ‘everyone’. People need to be motivated to seek language education for their own sake – as well as it being vital for the well-being of Danish society in the longer term.

It is important to be able to speak and read Danish to take part fully in cultural and everyday life, and to build up a social network.

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Q: HOW ARE THE COURSES STRUCTURED AT THE SCHOOLS?

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 3 individual programs, each with 6 modules. The last of these modules includes a state-administered Danish exam, which is a prerequisite for obtaining permanent residency and Danish citizenship.

Q: HOW DO YOU ENROL AT A LANGUAGE SCHOOL?

All newly-arrived adult foreigners have the right to free Danish lessons. The best way forward is to contact your local language centre or Borgerservice (website in English: lifeindenmark. borger.dk). You can also obtain addresses and contact details of language schools through our website:

www.dedanskesprogcentre.dk

ADVERT

DANISH LESSONS WITH A SEAL OF APPROVAL

dedanskesprogcentre.dk

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LEARN DANISH and make friends with the Danes Foreigners come to Denmark for a number or reasons. Usually, but of course not exclusively, these are work postings, au-pair work or for romantic reasons. Once settled, a spouse or partner will probably then need to venture out onto the job market and take the first steps to becoming part of the wider Danish society.

Even though you may only be here for a short time, it can still pay dividends to learn the language. For one thing, you will get much more out of your stay here and you may also make some new friends for life. On a trivial level, it is also nice to be able to follow what is happening in Denmark through the Danish news media.

More importantly, perhaps, it will also give you much more choice when it comes to job-seeking, as by and large, unless you have been head-hunted from your home country, the jobs available to foreigners who don’t speak Danish are at the lower end of the skills range.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT There are several Danish Language schools throughout Denmark which cater specifically for foreigners working in the country.

These schools are designed to make learning Danish easy and accessible to their students and cater to their needs, be they social integration or work advancement.

This supplement will guide you on making the best choices when it comes your language requirements.

A WIDE RANGE OF COURSES A language schools’ core service is teaching the Danish language to adult foreigners. Many of them also offer a wide range of other courses, including some focusing on the Danish labour market, special youth courses and courses on Danish culture and society. The vast majority admit students on an ongoing basis.

In order to best fit in with your own

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needs, instruction is organised so that you have a choice of daily, evening or Saturday courses. The courses are also often planned in co-operation with job centres and companies so as to ensure that students are afforded the necessary time to learn the language.

ONLINE OPTIONS 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. Online courses have the great advantage that students can study when it fits with their work, family and school schedules – regardless of time and location.

HOW TO JOIN A SCHOOL Which school or course you choose will depend on several factors.

Some Danish Language schools will offer free tuition through your kommune (local council), while others will be tuition-based. The first step is to talk to your kommune – ask them if they have a Danish Language school that you can be sent to. Usually, if you’ve only just arrived here and obtained your residence permit, you can get free classes for the first year or two. This will depend on your residency status, the kommune in which you live and the availability of schools and courses.

Regardless of whether you are a first-time learner or just someone who has been here a while and wants to improve their Danish, this supplement will provide you with all the details of how to go about it and hopefully, at the very least, the motivation to want to try a few classes.

If you take Danish lessons 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. Many schools offer schemes through which language students and Danes can

meet socially on an informal basis for conversation or even get together to have a meal together, so there’s no excuse for not participating!

Source: dedanskesprogcentre.dk

Copenhagen Media Center, Ty Stange

Even though you may only be here for a short time, it can still pay dividends to learn the language.

Publisher: CPH POST • Editor: Hans Hermansen Journalists: Stephen Gadd • Layout: All About Digital, Copenhagen • Co-ordinator: Marin Milosavljevic • Info: hans@cphpost.dk, Tel: +45 2420 2411

SO MANY SCHOOLS it can all be a bit bewildering ...

There are many different types of language schools around, most of which offer a range of courses catering for your individual needs and circumstances. Let us help you find the school that is right for you and your needs.

FIRST, GET YOURSELF A CPR NUMBER Once you have arrived here and got settled, getting started on language tuition is relatively simple and requires only that you have a Danish CPR number (i.e. civil registration number).

You will have to apply for this through the website or office of your local kommune (local council).

In order to obtain a CPR number, you have to meet certain criteria: • You have been staying in Denmark for more than 3 months; • If you are an EU citizen, you have a registration certificate (does not apply to Nordic citizens).; • If you are a non-EU citizen, you have obtained a residence permit; • You have a place to live.

Regarding the latter, it must be a valid address, meaning that you have the right to register your address in the CPR system. It should also be a permanent one; a minimum length of 1 month’s stay is expected, but you might be asked to provide proof of 3 months’ stay.

All this will be checked and your registration will not be accepted if there are any anomalies.

Your registration can be cancelled if the address provided proves to be illegal. You will also be expected to provide other documentation, such as a valid passport, a marriage certificate if you are married and the birth certificates of your children if you have them with you.

FREE LESSONS As an international student or employee studying or working in Denmark, you are able to take Danish language lessons free of charge once you have a CPR number. These are offered at a wide range of institutions described below.

THE DANISH LANGUAGE CENTRES Aside from the valuable information you will pick up in this supplement, 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.

The language centres’ core service is teaching the Danish language to adult foreigners.

Many of them also offer a wide range of other courses, including courses focusing on the Danish labour market, special youth courses and courses on Danish culture and society.

“Our members are the only language centres in Denmark that offer state-approved Danish courses and programs. Our members are also the only institutions to conduct the exams required by the state for permanent residency and citizenship,” says the DDS.

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 obtain more information on these courses from your local council or from the individual adult learning centre.

TAILORED TO YOUR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS

Courses at Folk High Schools (Folkehøjskoler)

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 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.

Programs and courses offered by the 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. These courses usually consist of 18 lessons a week, although some schools offer more intensive courses or weekend courses. The target groups for these courses are new immigrants and refugees.

For example, the City of Copenhagen has an agreement with 7 language schools, which are free of charge and amongst which you can choose freely.

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.

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 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-onone 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. Otherwise you can visit the DDS website; bit.ly/2ByWwwy for a comprehensive list of schools across the country.

For some of the courses, you might be charged a nominal fee. It is possible to enrol in 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

Sources: bit.ly/2AfsCyW denmark.dk bit.ly/2AgOIB9 bit.ly/2j3AcmZ

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IN DENMARK they all speak English ...

When they first come to Denmark, many foreigners are extremely surprised that nearly everyone they come across seems to speak English; I know I was.

many people might start wondering whether it is worth bothering to take the trouble to learn Danish at all. However, the reasons detailed below might change your mind...

I’d hopped onto a local Copenhagen bus without really knowing where I was going and the driver was able to give me concise directions in perfect English. It made me think – and feel slightly ashamed. In a similar situation in London, how many English bus drivers could give directions in perfect French – which is supposed to be our second language – let alone in German, Italian or even Danish?

TO LEARN OR NOT TO LEARN – THAT IS THE QUESTION

Because there is a high level of fluency in English amongst the Danish population,

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The CPH POST recently took to the streets of Copenhagen in search of foreigners who now call Denmark home, to find out if they are making an attempt at learning Danish.

Most of the people polled were in two minds about learning the language and listed several reasons why they were against it.

But for every reason they gave for not

wanting to learn Danish, we were able to give a better reason why they should! This is what they had to say:

ON THE ONE HAND: 1. Almost all Danish people speak, or at least understand, English!

“Danes are brought up in a multicultural world where they have no dubbing on films, video games and so on. This means that they are exposed to English at a very young age and that gets them to a level of fluency that is beyond many countries,” was one reason given.

ON THE OTHER: Learning Danish helps you integrate into Danish society It may be possible to live comfortably in

Denmark without ever picking up an English-Danish dictionary, and also, in a city boasting an international community as vibrant as Copenhagen, one can easily get by without any Danish skills whatsoever.

However, surveys have shown that learning Danish benefits you both professionally and socially in Denmark. On the social front, 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. It can also be lonely being an foreigner in a strange land, especially if you have come here alone.

Danes can be a bit hard to get to know, so showing that you are making an effort to learn the language will be appreciated and may lead to social invitations.

Having a good grasp of the language also gives you greater job satisfaction. The work place is one of the best places to improve your Danish language skills. It also makes your move to Denmark easier, and introduces you to potential Danish 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.

ON THE ONE HAND: 2. It is of limited practical use Denmark as a country and its population are relatively small. There are around 6 million inhabitants speaking the language, so population-wise, it’s not even making up half the city of London. So the practical use you get out of it is not as great as say French, German or Spanish, which are all quite close geographically and linguistically.

ON THE OTHER: That is perhaps true.

However, you are here in the country now, so it will really help you to make the most of your stay, however brief that might be.

Besides, if you manage to become really proficient, you might be able to read and appreciate Hans Christian Andersen’s stories in their original language.

There are also many other famous Danes, such as the Astronomer Tycho Brahe, the philosopher Kierkegaard, Nobel-prize winning physicist Niels Bohr, so there is more than enough to get your teeth into!

ON THE ONE HAND: 3. As a language, Danish doesn’t sound nice Considering that to most foreign ears, Danish sounds a rather peculiar language, learning it can start to seem a little unnecessary. “We are mocked by Norwegians and Swedes for sounding as if we speak with a potato in our mouths,” said one Danish national we spoke with.

ON THE OTHER: You gain fluency in 2 other languages as a by-product You can also become proficient in Norwegian and Swedish. Norwegian (bokmål) is almost a carbon copy of Danish, with a few distinctions that are irrelevant to normal every-day use. Swedish uses some unique words and phrases, but to a great extent is very understandable to Danish speakers.

ken 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, many of which 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.

Source: dedanskesprogcentre.dk

ON THE ONE HAND: 4. “I don’t have the money or time” Most of the people we spoke to said that being new to the country and their job didn’t afford them the time to attend lengthy courses. They were also concerned that it would be an unnecessary expense.

ON THE OTHER: Learning the language is, easy, convenient and free!

If you have a residence permit you are entitled to one and a half years of free Danish lessons.

In addition, with the many language schools on offer across the country equipped to offer you specialised and focused courses, you are sure to find one that fits with your schedule and learning needs.

Keep in mind that adequate Danish language skills – including a certified exam – are also essential if you wish to get a permanent residence permit or eventually, Danish citizenship.

So for those who want to fully immerse themselves in Danish culture, excel on the job market and make Danish friends, the word from the street is (well at least in our opinion), learning the language is a must!

BACK TO THE ROOTS 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, spoLANGUAGE SCHOOL GUIDE

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JUMP IN Speaking Danish can be a tonguetwisting exercise for many, but do not get discouraged! Many ex-pats before you have mastered the language, and so can you. Just being immersed in Danish culture will go a long way to helping you grasp the complexities of Danish. It may sound peculiar to foreigners, but the written language is highly structured

THE JOY OF DIALECTS Danish is the official language of Denmark, Greenland and the Faeroe Islands. Both Greenland and the Faeroe Islands have their own languages too, which most of the people speak, but Danish is used for official purposes and taught in schools.

Even though Denmark is a small country, the Danish language has a number of dialects. The standard language, called ‘Rigsdansk’, originated around Copenhagen, and was originally based on the sociolect of the upper class of Copenhagen.

Almost every island has its own dialect, which can even be difficult to understand for Danes from other parts of the country.

However, the vast majority of the population speak either standard Danish or a social variation of it.

– and give it a try!

Danish is a Germanic language and many of the words and phrases have much in common with German, French and English.

For this reason, it is not exactly renowned as one of the most beautiful-sounding languages in the world.

Actually, the sound of Danish always seems to amuse foreigners, which gives the language a certain entertainment value.

Foreigners often characterise Danish as a monotone-like drawl, and many people say that Danes speak as if they have a hot potato in their mouth. Of course, the Danes themselves find their language both charming and pretty, though they are aware of the fact that Danish can be difficult to learn for people from other countries.

Written Danish is characterised by a very strict norm, but the spoken language may vary considerably in pronunciation. The Danish vocabulary is not based upon an enormous amount of words, but it is in principle unlimited, as new words can freely be formed by means of compounding or deriving. Existing words are simply used to create new words and as a result of this, the largest Danish dictionaries contain more than 200,000 words.

DANISH LANGUAGE HELP With so much to cover with the Danish language, we have put together a list of resources which will help you along the learning process:

#2 You should start by familiarising yourself with the 28 letter Danish alphabet.

The Danish alphabet is derived from the Indo-European languages and is part of the Germanic languages. It uses the Standard English alphabet plus three extra vowels not found in the English language. They are: å/æ/ø. They can also be written this way: aa for å, ae for æ and oe for ø.

#3 You should check out Danish numbers, which include some important information that can save you a lot of embarrassment and confusion. Try counting to 10: 0 – nul; 1 – en; 2 – to; 3 – tre; 4 – fire; 5 – fem; 6 – seks; 7 – syv; 8 – otte; 9 – ni; 10 – ti. #4 Learn about dates and times too, since the Danes do this differently to most countries. For instance, in English we colloquially say ‘half-ten’ when we mean ‘half-past ten’, but in Danish, ‘klokken halv ti’ would be understood as 9:30.

#4 Learn some common Danish words, which might help you when doing the basics like shopping and interacting with service people. Below are some basic terms.

Hej! - Hi Goddag - Hello (formal) Hvordan Har Du Det? - How Are You? Hvad Så? (informal) - What’s Up? Farvel - Good-Bye God Morgen - Good Morning God Nat - Good Night Tak! - Thank You Undskyld Mig - Excuse Me Jeg Elsker Dig - I Love You

Sources: denmark.dk babbel.com bit.ly/2jzrSdZ fyidenmark.com

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FREE DANISH CLASSES for students It may surprise you to know that students are also eligible for free Danish classes.

If you have come to Denmark as a student and are engaged on a higher education program, you are also entitled to free Danish lessons. Why not study Danish at the University of Copenhagen?

The course takes place late afternoon Monday-Thursday at the different campus locations of the University of Copenhagen.

RELEVANT AND USEFUL The university has devised a course which is specially designed to provide studyrelated Danish relevant to students on a higher education program. It has been devised based on analyses carried out amongst course participants so that it is as relevant and useful as possible.

As well as study-related topics, the focus

is on general vocabulary and skills from everyday life outside the university. By taking the course, you can learn to use simple but appropriate language, both spoken and written, in your everyday life – both when studying and outside the classroom.

Because the course is a publicly-funded extra-curricular one, it does not give ECTS points for participants. However, you will have the chance to acquire basic language skills, plus the flexibility of one late afternoon class, combined with online lessons every week. Additionally, it will give you the chance to meet other international students and build up a network.

FREE DANISH COURSE FOR KNOWLEDGE WORKERS If you don’t feel that you fit into the course described above, Copenhagen University

also runs another course, which is specially geared to ‘knowledge workers’.

For the purposes of the course, these are considered to be highly-educated people, who typically work at universities and other institutions of higher education and research, or in private companies working with research and development at a level corresponding to that of a university.

The course will give you the same advantages as those described above for students, and takes place at the same times and locations.

TAILOR-MADE COURSES Copenhagen University is also able to provide more specialised courses. If you are interested in having individual or tailormade Danish courses, please contact the Centre for Internationalisation and Parallel Language Use (CIP). Website: cip.ku.dk Source: danishforstudents.ku.dk

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JUMP THE HURDLES in learning Danish Get advice from the horse’s mouth on learning the language the right way When you’ve taken the decision to enrol at a language school, the next step in your journey to mastering the Danish language is the learning process itself.

We spoke to several language school teachers who shared their top tips on making the learning process a successful one.

This is what they had to say:

#2 TAKE A PROFICIENCY TEST On enrolment in your first language-learning course, it’s important to assess your level of ability when it comes to speaking, reading and writing the language. Most schools test prospective pupils to ensure that they end up in classes at the right educational level.

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provided that they talk slowly and clearly and are prepared to help. You should also be able to introduce yourself and others and ask and answer questions about personal details, such as where you live, people you know and things you have.

“You should be able to understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type, as well as reading and understanding everyday names, words, and very simple sentences, e.g. announcements, on posters or in brochures.

Writing short, simple postcards and filling out forms asking for personal information are also indications of advancement at the basic level.”

#3 LEARNING SHOULD BE FUN

But how are the levels of required proficiency interpreted in practice? The teachers we spoke to gave these guidelines, so regarding testing and tracking your ability at the basic level, they said:

The Danish teachers we spoke to all pointed to the importance of making the learning process a fun and enjoyable one. This, they say, must be a part of the classes as well as the individual’s private ‘homework’.

“At the basic level (in other words, after some lessons), you should be able to interact in a simple way with Danish speakers,

According to James J. Asher, PhD at San Jose State University, 95% of students give up before mastering the foreign

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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 are a fast and efficient way to become addicted to learning Danish and becoming fluent,” she says.

#4 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 a method and follow it. But I need to 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.

MOST IMPORTANTLY – GO OUT AND USE IT! When you have started your course, it is important that you go out and speak the language. You can really boost your skills by interacting with the Danes. Don’t be shy, and remember to be patient – not everyone speaks Danish like your language teacher.

In real life, people talk too fast, they mumble, use slang and slur their words. Speaking Danish with the natives is definitely a great opportunity to learn the language from the true experts – the people who speak it every day.

Don’t be afraid of using your Danish language skills – be chatty, make mistakes, laugh when you do, and learn from it.

You can also make a deal with yourself and with family and friends to speak only Danish at certain times and situations, for instance, at the weekend or during dinner. You may end up in both funny and awkward situations, but these will only serve to increase your vocabulary. In time, keeping the conversation going will become easier and easier.

Some schools also offer language and homework cafes where it is possible to speak Danish with native Danish speakers as well as with other students, and to get help with homework in your native language.

Sources: bit.ly/2Bz094u denmark.dk bit.ly/1i23KeO

#5 GO TO CLASSES AND DO THE HOMEWORK As an adult learning in your ‘spare time’, it is understandable that work and family life is demanding of your time and that sometimes seemingly less important tasks (such as homework) fall by the wayside. The 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.

Most language programs 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!

Denmark’s most effective Danish courses!

#6 PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! 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.

www.kiss.dk

It is also a good idea to check out the various extra-curricular 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 and are made available to help you progress.

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“An engaging Danish teacher makes all the difference�

Joanna, economist from Kuala Lumpur.

Sign up for intensive Danish courses in Hellerup and Lyngby sprogcenterhellerup.dk