Can translations stand in the way of learning a new language? This question has sparked debate for years, and research remains divided. Some fear that relying on the native language might hinder active acquisition of Danish.
Yet, the experience of our students tells a different story:
“It helped me enormously that the teacher could explain difficult words in Polish. Danish grammar was hard at first, and it made a big difference that my Polish teacher could explain the differences between Polish and Danish grammar and sentence structure.”
This is how one of the students describes their journey of learning Danish through their native language. For many internationals in Denmark, this approach becomes the key to gaining a foothold more quickly, both linguistically and culturally. The native language acts as a tool that provides clarity and confidence at the beginning, gradually giving way to independent use of Danish.
Particularly during the early stages of The Danish Education, Danish through native language serves as an effective kick-start. It prevents misconceptions about essential concepts and enables the students to engage in everyday communication faster, at work, in the nursery, or at the supermarket.
Once the foundation is in place, the students continue in classes conducted entirely in Danish. This transition is rarely perceived as a challenge – quite the opposite:
“Here, I’m not tempted to speak Polish during breaks – and I get to meet people from other cultures.”
Another student highlights the next important step these mixed classes provide: working intensively on Danish pronunciation and the natural rhythm of the language in daily life.
For international employees, it is not only about learning Danish—but about using it effectively as quickly as possible. Our experience with teaching Danish through German, Persian, Polish, and English shows that the native language can act as a stepping stone – making the path to Danish shorter, safer, and far more effective.
