The term “Hygge” is typically enough to describe the beauty of living that Danes seem to bring along with them wherever they go. It denotes something akin to coziness and conviviality, where one enjoys beautiful things together with good people.

These good people have been ranking high in all world happiness reports for several years in a row. Noted for their fragrant pastries, and blessed with a seacoast and an admirable life philosophy, Danes are a people whose language and culture you simply must get to know.

Danish is a Scandinavian, or, more precisely, North Germanic language, spoken by over five million people. In addition to Denmark, it is used in the Faroe Islands and Greenland.

Although it belongs to a group of smaller European languages, the fact that Scandinavian languages are its siblings can to a certain extent facilitate understanding both Swedish and Norwegian.

Danish will be easier to master if you have previously studied English, German or Dutch, and it also bears similarities with French (for example, it uses the French system for counting).

One of the many reasons to learn Danish is its high practical value. Danish economy is at an enviable level, and Scandinavian countries make considerable investments throughout Europe. Danish universities, including their policies towards youth and education, rank among the best in the world for the quality of education. Simply put, Danes care for each other, for their country, and, consequently, for themselves.

Especially if you want to live and work in the country, being able to speak Danish will be interpreted as a sign of great respect by Danes, and will make it easier for you to climb the social ladder. However, if the language strikes you as hard, do not despair. Danes are so good at English and so open-hearted that they are sure to jump to your assistance should you get a bit muddled speaking Danish.

This is likely due to the fact that it is precisely Danish pronunciation that is the bane of all learners of the language. It has even been compared to trying to talk with a hot potato in one’s mouth. Still, the simple grammar balances things out. Verbs are not inflected for person, there aren’t very many grammatical tenses, and cases are unheard of.

Studying

Danes cherish innovation, creativity, and analytical thinking. Knowing the native language, at least when it comes to undergraduate studies, is not required. However, if you enroll in one of the prestigious Danish universities, you will be offered the opportunity, following enrolment, to attend free lessons in Danish for foreigners.

Do bear in mind that, if you want to complete your doctoral studies in this country, most of these, unlike undergraduate and masters programs, are in Danish. Furthermore, being able to speak the language can mean that your tuition fees are waivered, either in part or fully. Namely, education is free there under the following circumstances:

You are an EU citizen.

You have a permanent residence permit (permanent opholdstilladelse).

You have a temporary residence permit that can translate into a permanent one (midlertidig opholdstilladelse mmf varigt ophold).

You have a residence permit as a minor accompanied by a parent / guardian with an EU / EEP work permit.

In order to be able to exercise some of these rights, knowledge of the language is a prerequisite.

Work

Denmark is a developed country which frequently faces labor shortage. As a result, there is a possibility for work permits to be expedited, even when it comes to non-EU citizens. Still, should you wish to secure your stay in Denmark, in addition to the length of stay in the country and knowledge of the language, you will also need to learn a lot about their culture.

The Hi5 educational center is your trusted companion along this path. Whichever Danish language course you want, we will help design a study program for you in collaboration with our expert educators.

We provide you with all the necessary learning materials, and, in order to delve into learning Danish online, you will also need a stable internet connection and a desire to learn. We’re always available to assist you with any questions, and to help you prepare for taking international examinations. In addition, we offer translation and proofreading services.

If Danish is not your native language, you can take Prøve i Dansk. In essence, these are examinations which correspond to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, with some minor modifications. Namely, you will only take Danish level A1 in case of family reunification. Even then, you will only be required to take the oral examination, as proof that you are able to continue learning the language. The other levels involve a certificate, and the highest level available is C1. There is:

Prøve i Dansk 1 (A2 – B1),

Prøve i Dansk 2 (B1 level),

Prøve i Dansk 3 (B2 level),

Studieprøven (C1 level).

Examinations are organized twice a year – once in May / June, and then again in November / December. Application deadline is ten weeks prior to the date of the examination, at the latest.

You will be required to pass the reading, writing and speaking portions of the test. Interestingly, unlike many other languages, Danish testing does not include a listening segment. Instead, it is during the oral examination that the examiner simultaneously assesses the candidate for their listening skills as well.

A course in Danish is sure to be even more interesting to you after you learn a few more facts about Denmark and its language:

Danes are surrounded by over 400 islands. In fact, wherever you might be in the country, you are never more than 50 kilometers away from the sea.

LEGO bricks, the hallmark of childhood everywhere, originated in Denmark. Their name means “play well” (from the Danish phrase “leg godt“).

Danes use the word “please“, with the same meaning as in English. Believe it or not, there is something this country doesn’t have, and that is a Danish word for this concept.

This country’s flag is the oldest flag in the world for an independent country, and dates back to 1912.

14 Nobel Prize laureates so far have been Danes.

A placement test is a good way to assess your current knowledge of a language. Complete the test in Danish on our website, and the Hi5 online platform will take care of the rest. Taking the test is free, and you will receive your results immediately after taking the test. If you have previously studied some Danish, checking your knowledge in this way is highly desirable, so that we can determine with greater precision the Danish-language course which best suits your needs.