Relocation Guide - Spring 2012
Say “Hej” to the Danish Language One local language school goes above and beyond to give you the tools you need to succeed By Tom Schad
a month later. They are then immersed in Dan-
To achieve this understanding, the school offers
ish from day one by Københavns Sprogcenter’s
both fulltime day courses and night classes that
renowned faculty, which includes more than 10
give students flexibility to work around their own
A
authors of Danish language textbooks. Teachers
schedules. Those who want an intensive learn-
understand exactly what their students are going
ing experience can find it here, but so can those
through and can help them navigate textbooks
with other jobs or schoolwork who can only fit
that, in many cases, they wrote themselves.
in a couple of nights a week. Traditional lectures
djusting to life in Copenhagen can be hard for many reasons, but learning Danish is at the top of the list. Native English speakers lament that nothing is spoken like it is read, random letters are sometimes left silent and pronouncing the vowels makes you sound like you’ve got a sore throat. Despite all that, it is a language that can be picked up quickly and painlessly; all it takes is the right environment, methods and staff to lead the way. Københavns Sprogcenter gives students these tools. Nestled in the old meatpacking district of Vesterbro, the school spans two large buildings and boasts a newly renovated computer lab, language lab, library and cafeteria. A surprise perhaps to those who imagine language schools consisting of nothing more than a few rundown classrooms, this language centre has taken extra steps to modernise its space and add a level of comfort to the often uncomfortable experience of learning a new language. Newcomers are interviewed by one of the school’s five counsellors and placed into courses less than
“They’re not only [good teachers], but they’re professionals in their field,” department manager Julie Henriques explains. “This also means that the teachers who haven’t written textbooks are working with the authors, so they understand and are constantly learning as well.” Københavns Sprogcenter aims to help newcomers pass the Danish language test required by immigration laws, but it also understands that there’s more to a language than that. “We look at it in a broader sense – what do you
and in-class activities are supplemented with practice in the language lab, where students can pronounce words into a microphone and receive individual critiques from staff. Priority is placed on active learning (speaking and writing) rather than passive learning (reading and listening). Above all else, Københavns Sprogcenter has created an environment where people from around the world can work to overcome a similar challenge. With 1,400 students currently enrolled from over 90 countries, the language centre provides expats with a group of people who can un-
Danish will always be a tough language to grasp,
derstand their situation.
but the resources at Københavns Sprogcenter can make this process both quicker and easier. With
need to do with the language? Why do you need to make it your own?” Henriques elaborates. “It’s
“It’s a whole new network,” Henriques says.
a comfortable environment and informed facul-
not just about passing the test; it’s about how to
“Really strong friendships are made in
ty, you can finally join the real Copenhagen and
live - how to buy a pack of cigarettes, how to ask
classes, crossing religious, political, social or
discover what’s so special about that so-called
someone out on a date - that’s not on the test.”
whatever borders they live with normally.”
“throat disease.”
” We create a breeding ground for your employees” We help companies welcome their foreign employees in a way that make them want to stay. Relocation with Care: Support that reaches beyond finding a home. Integration with Sense: Welcome procedures and in-house networking initiative. Relocation Scandinavia provides a retention strategy that pays off and we look forward to sharing our expertise with you.
relocation scandinavia Contact us for a free consultation: +45 60 71 04 54 or read more on www.relocationscandinavia.com 13