Fast Track to Danish at Work
The textbook Sådan 1 gives newly arrived foreigners the vocabulary, ready-to-use lines, and confidence to dive into Danish at work and in everyday life. The book’s author is a language consultant at UCplus Copenhagen.
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.