Photo by Simon Klein, IBOS

John’s Path into the Danish Language

John Morgan is 63 and a former linguistics researcher in the U.S. military. He lost his sight at the age of 18 and today lives with complete blindness. Together with his Danish wife, he moved from the United States to Denmark in 2021. He wanted to learn Danish quickly to apply for citizenship, but the language challenged him more than he had expected.

“I thought it would be easier because I’ve learned several languages. But it has been difficult. I needed a place that understood my needs,” he says.

Fortunately, there was a good solution: UCplus’ Danish classes at IBOS.

Specially Adapted Courses

Teaching blind and visually impaired learners requires a different approach.

Classes are small, solutions are flexible, and the focus is always on the individual participant. The teaching is also organised as part of a broader rehabilitation programme.

Tine Karlsson has a background in linguistics, further education in dyslexia, and experience with communication disabilities. After four years at IBOS, she has — together with the learners and the professional staff — built a solid foundation for this tailored form of instruction.

Above all, the teaching must be flexible and practical. If John couldn’t attend in person, Tine moved the lessons online. At the same time, they worked with language in real-life situations.

“We walked out of the classroom and trained physically. Once, we walked around the institute, and I could ask questions in the situations that arose. It was very helpful and gave both of us a better understanding of what we needed to work on,” John explains.

Language was no longer just theory — it became something he could use directly in everyday life.

One of the themes that became especially important in the lessons was transport — an area where many people with visual impairments face challenges.

“I’ve taken the wrong train several times because I didn’t know which direction it was going. Sighted people just check the screen, but we blind people have to ask,” he explains.

Methods, Materials, and Technology

Tine also adapts materials and working methods so participants with different levels of visual impairment get the greatest possible benefit.

The teaching builds on listening exercises, dialogue, and repetition.

“I prioritise a smooth flow in the lessons rather than having learners spend time writing things down. So I take notes and send them afterwards,” says Tine Karlsson.

Word documents with a clear structure generally work better than PDFs — partly because they allow easier menu navigation, adjustable font size, screen-reader compatibility, or — in John’s case — conversion to braille.

“Tine was open to doing things differently, and she was very patient. When she sent the materials, I could translate them myself. That was important for my learning process,” John says.

Significant Progress

John now feels a marked difference in his daily life. The language opens new social spaces and gives him more confidence.

“My friends have stopped speaking English in front of me. I can sit with my friends, and they speak Danish. I also stand in the metro and understand what’s being said. I feel much more comfortable,” he says.

Municipal Interest in Flexible Teaching

John’s development shows how targeted, adapted instruction can help people with visual impairments become more active participants in society.

“The importance of knowing Danish is the same for people with visual impairments as it is for sighted people. It matters socially in private life, at work, or in education. In addition, Danish skills support active participation in society and social communities,” says Sabina Andersen, social worker at IBOS.

“We greatly value the collaboration with the teacher from UCplus. We have also heard from another municipality that they are interested in a similar setup, and we have shared our experiences with them,” she says.

If you would like to hear more or discuss options for a tailored course for a specific target group, you can contact your local UCplus language centre. We provide guidance on classes, assistive tools, and collaboration models so Danish language education becomes more accessible and useful for everyone.

Small talk like “What are your plans for the weekend?” or “Where do you live?” is essential when you start at a new workplace in Denmark—but it can be tricky for newcomers. The textbook Sådan 1. Beginner’s Danish for Foreigners helps learners quickly use Danish in the situations they meet at work and in everyday life. The book’s author is a language consultant at UCplus Copenhagen.

“Many of our newly arrived course participants are already working and have busy lives, so they need to learn functional Danish quickly and effectively. With Sådan 1, learners get a toolbox with pronunciation exercises, useful vocabulary and practical grammar they can put to use immediately,” says language consultant Frank Sebastian Hansen, author of Sådan 1 and a language consultant at UCplus Copenhagen. He has just returned to Denmark and to UCplus after four years as a Visiting Lecturer in Danish at the University of Texas in Austin, USA.

Rapid progression

Sådan 1 is designed for beginners at the language centres’ Danish Education 3. The book consists of 21 chapters on everyday topics such as family, work and education. Each chapter is organised into clear “universes” with familiar exercise types and structures.

“Everything is in a fixed place, so learners quickly feel comfortable with the material and can spend their energy on using the language in the right context. The clear structure allows for fast progression in teaching,” explains Frank Sebastian Hansen. The book also includes set dialogue formats and partner activities that get learners speaking in class—and encourages them to go out and practise at work. “The book unites the best of two worlds: a tight structure and plenty of opportunities to talk and develop language in practice,” says the author, who holds an MA in Danish and has previously taught at, among others, Studieskolen and KISS.

A strong fit for online and university classes

Frank Sebastian Hansen co-wrote Sådan 1 with Einar Helleland. Together they have published a handful of other textbooks, including the follow-up classic Så kan du lære det for learners on Danish Education 3. At UCplus Copenhagen, these books are a core part of our classroom materials, says Deputy Head and Pedagogical Lead Jakob Bang Termansen.

“We use Sådan 1 in our online and university classes, where it helps learners make fast progress with their Danish skills. The books are well-crafted and built on functional Danish,” says Jakob Bang Termansen, adding that it’s a major advantage to have textbook authors in-house: direct access to the source when questions arise, and a writing process that includes sparring with colleagues and testing materials with classes—spreading insights across many teachers.

There is also a Sådan 2, and a revised edition of Sådan 1 is on the way—expected in spring 2026.

Starting over in a new country takes both courage and curiosity. For Sofia, a quick internet search after a stay in New Zealand led her to book a ticket to Copenhagen. Katrin, on the other hand, came as an accompanying spouse when her husband was offered a position at ITU. While Sofia quickly created a new life from scratch, Katrin has been taking her first steps towards continuing her career in the Danish healthcare sector.

Sofia’s spontaneous start in Denmark

After finishing her university degree in Italy, Sofia knew she wanted to try something completely new. When her stay in New Zealand came to an end, she began looking for countries that could offer a similar lifestyle – and Denmark appeared on her screen. Without speaking the language or knowing anyone here, she booked a 10-day trip to Copenhagen.

“The moment I stepped out of the central station and saw all the bicycles, I just knew this was the place for me,” she recalls.

On her very first day in the city, she walked into a barefoot shoe shop she was fond of. Two days later, the owner called her back with a job offer. A quick trip to Italy to pick up more clothes – and her new life in Denmark had begun.

For the first six months she tried to teach herself Danish with a book, but soon realised she wanted to meet others who were learning the language as well. That led her to UCplus. Today she has completed Module 4 and recently landed a job as a nursery assistant – a position she won among 74 applicants, with a glowing reference from her UCplus teacher.

Katrin’s first steps towards a career in Denmark

Katrin moved to Copenhagen in April 2024 as a trailing spouse, when her husband started working at ITU. Back in Cologne, she worked as a diabetes consultant at a medical clinic, and she hopes to eventually continue her career in the Danish healthcare sector.

For now, she is focusing on improving her Danish at UCplus and building a network in her new neighbourhood. Through Sofia, she got a part-time job at the same barefoot shoe shop where Sofia first worked in Copenhagen. It gives her the chance to practice Danish in daily situations and connect with new people in Ørestad, where she and her family live.

“It’s important for me to learn Danish because I want to integrate into the country. I want to be able to speak Danish with my son, and I hope to find a job in the healthcare sector,” says Katrin.

Language as a stepping stone

For Sofia, learning Danish has opened the door to an entirely new line of work. For Katrin, it is the foundation she needs to return to her profession in a new country. Both

highlight how the Danish lessons give them the confidence to use the language in real-life situations – whether that’s at a playground, in a shop or during a job interview.

Learn Danish at UCplus

UCplus offers the three official Danish courses, which give you access to official tests and a good start in Denmark. The education is offered at 3 levels, each of which consists of 6 modules. You will be offered to start at exactly the level that suits the number of years of schooling you have and your qualifications.

Read more and sign up here

Driven by people’s potential

Since the mid-1990s, Lilian Olsen has been teaching Danish to newcomers, motivated by a genuine curiosity about her students’ backgrounds and their potential. For her, teaching Danish is about far more than words and grammar – it is about giving people the tools they need to take part fully in Danish society.

Even in a time when artificial intelligence is evolving rapidly and English is widely used in the workplace, she believes Danish remains the key to deeper integration. It is about being able to read letters from the authorities, take part in parent–teacher meetings, talk with in-laws, or start a conversation with a neighbour. Language is also the gateway to Danish culture – including its humour, wordplay, and shared references.

A career spanning local and global experience

Lilian’s path into language and integration work began with a master’s degree in history and Arabic in 1995, followed by a temporary position at Copenhagen Language Centre and then a role at the Danish Refugee Council’s language school. Her career took her abroad through postings with the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the USA, Uganda, and Niger, where she worked on microcredit projects and school initiatives.

Back in Denmark, she continued her work in the language centre sector as a teacher, module tester, examiner, intake assessor, and project coordinator. She has also taught quota refugees in Asia and Africa as part of the Danish Immigration Service’s pre-departure courses.

Since 2022, she has been part of SIRI’s mobile assessment team and most recently worked as coordinator for substitute teacher coverage and intake at UCplus in Copenhagen.

Committed to collaboration and the right learning environment

Lilian brings to Holbæk a wealth of experience from teaching, intake assessment, coordination, and project management – both in Denmark and internationally. She looks forward to using this broad background to create the best possible environment for both students and teachers. Collaboration with the municipalities of Holbæk and Odsherred will be a key part of her work, with the ambition of making the language centre a strong and visible presence in the local community.

Read more about UCplus Language Centre Holbæk