About this course
This course introduces you to Danish language and culture, including important aspects of Danish history in combination with a focus on modern Danish society. You learn to speak and understand Danish through pronunciation practice and conversations inside and outside of the classroom. You learn enough language to feel comfortable living in Copenhagen, and gain sufficient knowledge about Danish history and culture to qualify as an interesting conversation partner to your Danish friends or family.
Syllabus
Course note
Multiple sections of this course run each semester. The syllabus from our Danish Language and Culture courses is a template that offers a good example of what they are like. You will gain access to your final syllabus for your course section on the Tuesday before your semester.
Recommended courses
If you are a full-year student and know you want to take Danish Langauge and Culture in both the fall and spring semesters, we offer a unique opportunity to enroll in the course Danish Language and Culture for Full-Year Students. This course will start in your fall semester and continue with the same faculty member and students into your spring semester!
If you are unsure if you want to study Danish Language and Culture both semesters, no problem! You can decide later and still enroll in Danish Language and Culture: Level II when you enroll for your spring courses.
Faculty
Nielsine Nielsen
FacultyMSc in Translation Studies (Scandinavian-English) from the University of Edinburgh, 2019, and MSt in Modern Languages (German and Old Norse) from the University of Oxford, 2017. Two BAs from the University of Copenhagen and Aarhus University including several study periods abroad in the UK, Germany, Sweden and Iceland. Knowledge areas: Translation Studies (feminist, postcolonial, Scandinavian), translation history, Greenland, comparative literature. Literary translator (Danish-English), teacher and writer. With DIS since 2023.
Nina Winsløw
FacultyDiploma (Danish as a second language, , 2014). DSL teacher, VUF Frederiksberg, 2011-2013. Taught Danish lessons, NYC, 2015. DSL teacher, Clavis, 2015-2019. DSL teacher, Køobenhavns Sprogcenter, 2018-2019. Taught Danish as a foreign langauge, Copenhagen International School, 2019-present. Pædagogisk konsulent, AtoB, present. With DIS since 2022.
Janne Knutzen
FacultyJanne Knutzen is a M.A. in Danish and B.A. in Linguistics from Copenhagen University, 2013. Janne has extensive experience in teaching from her work as a language teacher at Copenhagen Language Center (2012-2019), and danish teacher at KBH Syd (2019-2021). With DIS since 2021
Mika Sun Black
FacultyMika Sun Black holds a Master of Arts in Danish with elective studies in Education from Copenhagen University. In addition, she has completed a Master’s Programme in Teaching Danish as a Second and Foreign Language to Adults and Adolescents. Furthermore, she has published two educational books about Danish grammar.
Ditte Marie Egebjerg-Rantzau
FacultyCand. mag. in Nordic Literature and French, University of Copenhagen. BA studies in French Literature, Paul Valéry University, Montpellier, France. Vice Consul at the Royal Danish Consulate of Ethiopia (2000). Educator at Novo Nordisk and Mærsk (>2006). Areas of specialization: Memory studies, postcolonial studies and civic education. With DIS since 2006.
Nina Honoré Lahav
FacultyMaster of Danish as a second language, (Danish University of Education, 2002). With DIS since 2002.
Anne Vibeke Gross
FacultyM.A. (Russian Language & Culture and Danish Language & Literature, University of Copenhagen, 2006). Lecturer at Sisimiut Gymnasium, 2014, Copenhagen Adult Educational Center (KVUC), 2014-2015, and teacher of Danish Language and Culture to Foreigners at Language Center Nordsjælland, 2015. Lecturer of Danish Film History at Workers’ Educational Association (AOF), 2014-present, and at Nordisk Film, 2015 – present. With DIS since 2016.
Bianca Katarzyna Liberski
FacultyCand.merc.int. (Intercultural Management, Copenhagen Business School, 2005). B.A. (European Business and French, Manchester Metropolitan University, Université Blaise Pascal, 2000). Project Coordinator, Danish Refugee Council, 2010. Ethics Officer, Borealis, Bruxelles, 2006-2007. With DIS since 2009.
Camilla Kirchhoff
FacultyM.A. (Danish as Second Language, University of Copenhagen, 2014). Cand.Mag. (Danish, University of Copenhagen, 2007). Cellist, Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus, 1988. Research focus includes Danish literature, youth novels from 1930-1960, and music and language acquisition. Editor for Society for Danish Language and Literature. Teacher at Copenhagen Language Center and Hvidovre School of Music. With DIS since 2015.
Charlotte Bjerre Beuck
FacultyCand.phil. (Czech and European Studies, University of Aarhus, 2003). Teacher of Czech, 1995-99. Teacher of Danish to foreigners since 2000. With DIS since 2005.
Christina Knudsen
FacultyCand.mag. (French and Spanish, University of Southern Denmark, 1999). Studied in French at the Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France. Teacher of Danish language, culture, and history to foreigners at the University of Southern Denmark. With DIS since 2006.
Jacob Cold
FacultyM.A. (English & Drama, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and King´s College London, 2001). Lecturer at Academy of Modern Circus, 2006-2011. External lecturer at University of Copenhagen, Art Schools and High Schools, 2013-2017. Worked as Instructor and Dramaturg on various projects since 2004. With DIS since 2017.
Jan Aage Rasmussen
FacultyCand.phil. (Scandinavian Philology). External lecturer, Literary Theory and Literary Analysis: Theory of Science and Mythology, Department of Nordic Studies and Linguistics, University of Copenhagen, 1993-present. Teacher of Danish to foreigners since 1987. With DIS since 2013.
Nan Gerdes
FacultyNan Gerdes, PhD (Comparative Literature, University of Copenhagen with research stay at UC Berkeley, 2017). Diploma in educational theory and practice (University of Copenhagen, 2016). Postdocs (2014-) at University of Copenhagen, Roskilde University (in collaboration with Stockholm University) and Aarhus University in literature, philosophy and drama. Recent publications on early environmental fiction and philosophy and gender and politics in epics. Lecturer in Danish as Second Language since 2019. With DIS since 2018.
Tina Nielsen
FacultyCand.ling.merc in German (Århus University, School of Business and Social Sciences, 1998). Degree in English (University of Southern Denmark, 1994). Master’s programme in Teaching Danish as Second Language for Adults (University of Copenhagen, 2009). Teacher of Danish to foreigners since 2002. Own link2danish offering courses in Danish language and culture to private organizations since 2011. With DIS since 2012.
Victoria Petersen Amargos
FacultyM.A. (Cross-Cultural Studies, University of Copenhagen, 2021). B.A. (Linguistics, University of Copenhagen, 2018). Project Manager (Danish Board of Technology (Now: Democracy X), Hvidovre, 2020-2022). With DIS since 2024.
Rasmus Grønneberg Kaas Hauge
FacultyM.A. (Comparative Literature, University of Copenhagen, 2017). Educator, Nordisk Film and Danske Bank, 2016-2019. Teacher of Danish language and culture since 2019. Co-founder of independent publishing press, 2023. With DIS since 2024.
Malene Thorup
FacultyMaster of Arts (Educational Psychology, Aarhus University, 2023). Projectleader and Pedagogical consultant, Strandvejsskolen (2023-present). Københavns Kommune Strandvejsskolen, Elementary School Teacher (January 2011-September 2021). AKT counselor with Behavior, Contact, and Well-being (July 2020-September 2021). Christiansborg Palace Administration, Cultural Educator in the Representative Rooms at Christiansborg and themed tours (2007-2011). With DIS since 2023.