Learning Danish

Learn Danish in Denmark or abroad

Courses in Danish abroad

Danish is taught at several universities around the world.
 
There are also a number of private or public organisations that offer lessons in Danish at different levels. Contact the larger language centres in your home country for further information. The Danish Embassies and Consulates can also refer to activities relating to Denmark in your home country. There is a list of all Danish embassies at the web site of the official website of Denmark .

The Danish Cultural Institute also have branches abroad where Danish is taught. A number of Danish language courses are offered in Denmark each summer: www.dankultur.dk .

Courses in Danish in Denmark

There are plenty of opportunities to learn Danish in Denmark. There are long courses run during the academic year, short intensive courses and summer courses offered before the beginning of the semester. Depending on your needs, time, interests and prior qualifications, there are the following main options:

• Courses at Danish higher education institutions
• Programmes and courses offered by the local council 
• Private language schools or classes offered by private language teachers
• Courses at the 'Folk High Schools'

Courses at Danish higher education institutions

Many institutions offer intensive courses in Danish language and culture 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 as visiting or full degree students, are not usually charged a tuition fee for the language courses. If you are not studying at the institution you might still be able to follow a language course, but will in some cases be charged a fee of around 2,500 - 5,000 DKK per course.

More information about the courses, admissions requirements and tuition fees are available from the international office at the individual institution.

Programmes and courses offered by the local council

Language schools for foreigners
The local authorities are required by law to offer courses in Danish language and culture for foreign residents. The Ministry of Education sets the standards and regulations for the various language courses and tests and authorises the individual language schools to offer specific courses and examinations.

The local language schools offer courses at all levels. Which level you join will depend on your prior qualifications. The courses usually have 18 lessons a weeks. Some schools offer more intensive courses or organise individual courses in addition to the courses described above.

The target groups for these courses are both immigrants and refugees. On some of the courses you might be charged a nominal fee. It is possible to enrol at the courses several times a year. The state regulated examinations are held twice a year.

Please refer to the schools (sprogcentre ) for more information.

Courses in Danish for foreigners at adult learning centres

The adult learning centres (called VUCs) offer courses in all general subjects for adults at lower and upper secondary level. In addition to the general courses offered to Danes and foreigners with a knowledge of the Danish language, some of the VUCs offer courses in Danish for foreigners.

Each course, which lasts between six months and a year, normally comprises 240 lessons. A small tuition fee of around 200 DKK is charged for each course. More information is available from your local council or the individual adult learning centre.

Addresses of all adult learning centers in Denmark (VUCs)

Private language schools and private language teachers

If you are interested in a more intensive or perhaps a more individually designed course, you can either enquire about intensive and/or individual training possibilities at one of the local language centres, or look for private language schools or private language teachers.

There are numerous private providers in the Copenhagen area as well as in the other larger cities. You can contact your local council for advice or consult the local telephone directory: De Gule Sider > Sprogundervisning/Dansk.

Courses at the Folk High Schools

Some Folk High Schools offer residential courses in Danish Language and Culture either during the summer holiday (3-4 weeks) or during autumn and spring (4-5 months duration). These courses do not normally include formal tests or examinations.

The Secretariat for the Danish Folk High Schools provides further information about courses, admissions and tuition fees, please refer to   www.folkehojskoler.dk