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Meet Nils Gaukroger from England

When Nils saw an opportunity to do a master’s programme at DTU in Denmark a little over two years ago, he jumped at the chance. The curiosity and interest in getting to know a new culture was too tempting. And he had heard good things about Denmark, so the decision was easy to make.

When Nils arrived in Denmark, he couldn’t speak a word of Danish. It wasn’t really necessary, because Nils grew up in the UK and with English as his mother tongue, he didn’t need to learn Danish to study in Denmark. But Nils wanted it differently.

You have to put in the effort

Nils insisted on speaking Danish

It was important for Nils to show that he was interested in Denmark, Danes and Danish culture. The best way to show this was by learning the language. It commands respect and for Nils it was the direct route to integrating into Danish society.

– Learning Danish has been a good experience, says Nils. – I have become part of Denmark in a completely different way. By insisting on learning Danish, it was easier for me to get to know the Danes and Danish culture. This is important if I’m going to get a job in Denmark one day. I’ll be able to integrate more naturally into the team.

Nils insisted on speaking Danish with his friends, which required patience on their part. It can be difficult to find the right words at first, so his friends had to wait for Nils to explain himself. Because he didn’t want to just switch to English.

Over time, Nils also got the special Danish sense of humour under his skin. – That’s when you’re really Danish. But the humour is also a bit like English humour, so it was probably a bit easier for me.

Speak made the difference

Nils received training at Speak for just over a year. – “It’s been a really exciting programme,” says Nils. – “Of course, it can be a challenge that some people learn faster than others, but I think the teachers were generally good at getting everyone on board. Our teachers were fantastic at explaining words and concepts so that we understood them, and especially at the end of the programme I learned a lot. It has made a big difference to my stay in Denmark.

The art of language learning

Nils has just defended his bachelor’s degree and has now travelled on to Norway, where he will be working for a few years. But the language lessons have not been in vain for that reason. Quite the opposite.

– “Learning Danish has been fun and educational for me, and it has led to good contacts. I’m very grateful for that. At the same time, I have “learnt to learn languages”. The whole method of getting to know a new language is something I’m taking with me. Because of course I also have to learn Norwegian now that I live in Norway.

When asked if Nils would consider returning to Denmark, the answer is a big YES:
– “Denmark is a good country to study in, and I’m considering doing a PhD later. It could easily stay in Denmark. I have many good experiences here, and I also have my friends here in Copenhagen who I want to stay in touch with.

3 tips from Nils for others who want to learn Danish fast

  • Speak as much Danish as possible

    It’s hard to find the words at first, but the more Danish you speak, the faster you’ll learn.

  • Don’t translate into your native language

    If you only translate into your native language, you won’t learn the language properly. Try to understand and explain yourself in Danish. Even if it’s difficult.

  • Try it out on your friends

    It’s not enough to just go to language school. You need to get out and use the Danish language. It’s a good idea to try it out on your friends.