Danish Language and Culture Through Play, Childhood, and Education 

About this course

The Danish Language & Culture course at DIS is your ideal entry point for living and studying abroad in Denmark. This focused section explores Danish culture, history, and language through the lens of childhood values and education. We examine how Danish values, traditions, and educational approaches are embedded within the language and also reflect broader cultural narratives and ideals of play, equality, collectivity, and personal development.

With a focus on the Danish Welfare State, we will also study children’s literature and television, and even pack a traditional Danish lunchbox, to understand local perspectives on childhood and education. Through the concept of playful learning, a cornerstone of Danish child development, we visit innovative playgrounds, observe how play is integrated into schools and kindergartens, and build with LEGO to discover how Danish society promotes creativity, collaboration, and curiosity in children.

Language learning focuses on spoken, everyday Danish, reading and listening comprehension, as well as basic grammar, allowing you to interact in simple and practical ways in your local surroundings. This functional approach is reflected in classroom interactions, hands-on exercises, and experiential learning through field studies in Copenhagen and surrounding areas.

If you are also enrolled in the Child Development and Education in Scandinavia Practicum, this course will support your ability to communicate effectively with children and staff in educational settings.