The Missing Piece in Your Danish Learning
If you're about to start learning Danish, I hope you don't fall into a common trap that's rarely talked about but definitely exists. Many people think that just by attending free Danish language classes, they'll become proficient. The belief is that the state has created the perfect system, and if you follow it, you'll be good at Danish. But this isn't entirely true.
Relying solely on the system means giving up your responsibility for your own learning. While I strongly recommend attending these free language schools and making the most of them, it's important to understand that they aren't designed solely to make you fluent in Danish. There are other factors at play, such as economic considerations and the structure of the language school itself.
The teachers in these schools are talented and dedicated, but they face challenges. They work with diverse groups of students with different backgrounds and needs within limited hours. While many people do learn Danish well in these settings, it doesn't work for everyone. You might need a different approach or extra practice in areas like listening, pronunciation, or speaking—more than you can get from group classes.
It's your responsibility to recognize if this applies to you and seek additional ways to learn. Don't rely on attending classes twice a week and doing homework alone. Some people will thrive with this method, but others won't. If you're one of those who need more, explore other options like online learning platforms, language cafes or a private Danish teacher like me ;)
I see too many people who follow the prescribed path and still struggle with communication after completing their modules and exams. They feel lost and disappointed because they've put in the effort but aren't seeing the results they hoped for. Learning a new language while adjusting to life abroad is incredibly challenging.
So please check in with yourself early on to understand what you need for language learning and how to get it. This self-awareness will help you make better use of the free language classes and find additional resources if needed.
Best of luck with learning Danish and feel free to contact me if you consider getting help.
