Danish Lessons at work boost integration and staff retention at the Danish Meteorological Institute
At the Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI), around 15% of employees come from outside Denmark – many of them researchers. To help them settle in both professionally and socially, DMI offers Danish lessons during working hours in collaboration with UCplus. The initiative is already proving valuable for individuals and the organisation alike.
An investment in belonging and retention
DMI sees the language training as part of a broader commitment to being an inclusive and attractive place to work.
“Our main goal is to be a great workplace where people thrive,” says Karin Bonanno, Head of HR at DMI. “It’s very much about creating a sense of belonging. Knowing Danish makes it easier to settle in – socially and professionally – and it also opens up more opportunities for career development.”
The programme was developed in close dialogue with staff, many of whom had already shown a strong interest in learning Danish and helped shape the content of the course.
“Our international colleagues were really keen to learn,” explains Karin. “In fact, they played a key role in choosing UCplus because the lessons take place at work – and because they have the option to take official Danish language module tests.”
These module tests are part of Denmark’s formal Danish education system and, for some, could also count towards future applications for permanent residency or citizenship.
That’s why DMI sees language training as an important element in both attracting and retaining international talent.
“We want to recruit the best international candidates – especially researchers. Being able to offer Danish lessons is a key part of making DMI a workplace where they feel they belong,” says Karin.
Language in practice
The lessons are held once a week during working hours in small groups, with an emphasis on speaking, everyday topics, and linguistic accuracy. Participants discuss things like types of housing, eating habits, and typical conversations with colleagues over lunch. The intermediate group includes employees from countries such as Germany, France, Latvia, Pakistan, and China.
One of them is Leonie, who moved to Denmark three years ago to study climate physics at the University of Copenhagen. She is now a PhD fellow working on Antarctic ice dynamics in a joint research project between the university and DMI.
“I really appreciate the opportunity to learn Danish at work,” she says. “It’s important to me that my mistakes are corrected – it helps me improve. I’m also trying to bring more Danish into my daily life outside of work. For example, I play the clarinet in the Copenhagen Post Orchestra, where everything’s in Danish.”
Help your international employees learn Danish
UCplus offers a range of flexible solutions for company Danish. Lessons can take place at the workplace, at the nearest language center, or through online instruction.
UCplus handles all coordination and provides skilled instructors who conduct Danish lessons at the employees’ level.
It is possible to apply for lost earnings if the lessons are held during working hours. UCplus also helps with the application process.