Presentation on Danish language courses

1. Presentation on Danish language courses
9. March 2012, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Morten C.R. Spies
NCPI, Head of section, Integration Policy Division, Ministry of
Social Affairs and Integration

2. Language as key to active citizenship..
• Integration as a two-way process: receiving society provides a
qualified and structured programme – free of charge - whereas
migrants are expected to participate and acquire the relevant skills
• Clear incentives for migrants to learn Danish (permanent residence
permit and naturalisation requires inter alia passing Danish
language exam)
• Clear incentives for the receiving society to ensure that newcomers
learn Danish in order to participate in society on an equal footing

3. Act on Danish Language Courses
§ 1.The object of the courses in Danish as a second language
(Danish courses) is to assist adult foreigners, on the basis of
their individual backgrounds and integration goals, in acquiring
the necessary Danish language proficiency and knowledge on
Danish culture and society so as to make them participating
and contributory citizens on an equal footing with other
citizens of society.
(The first act on Danish courses in 1999, adjusted in 2003)

4. Multi-level governance...
• Nationwide targets and frameworks, but organized flexibly according
to each resident's background and specific qualifications
• Thematic curriculum for all components is defined in “Act on on
Danish courses for adult aliens”
• Classroom activities, IT-based teaching, assignments and study
activities in open learning environments with or without teacher
support. Learning Danish is combined with job training or actual
work experience
• Up to 3 years of education provided for all foreigners legally residing
in Denmark (+ cross-border commuters)

5. CEFR: Common European
Framework of reference

6. Facts and figures 2010
• 49.602 participants enrolled in 2010 – 7,4% at Danish 1, 41,6% at
Danish 2 and 51% at Danish 3
• 49,8 % from non-western countries (most at Danish 1, fewer at
Danish 3)
• Danish 1: Most are enrolled as part of an introduction program –
while at Danish 2 and 3 many are labour-market migrants /
selfsupporting
• 91% of all enrolled for an exam (Danish 1, 2 or 3) passes

7. Financing it all...
• Yearly state budget: App. 100.000 million Euros
• Costs are split between national and local levels: The State finances
50 % of the costs for each participant, whereas municipalities
finances 50 %
• The total annual cost of each participant enrolled in an integration-
programme should not exceed 10.555 Euro
• Extra grant of 4521.78 Euro awarded to municipalities if participants
pass within prescribed time
Figures from 2011

8. Further information
Pedagogical consultant Gitte Østergaard Nielsen
Ministeriet for Børn og Undervisning
Kvalitets og Tilsynsstyrelsen
Frederiksholms Kanal 25
1220 Copenhagen K, Denmark
Mail: Gitte.Ostergaard.Nielsen@ktst.dk
Phone: +45 33 92 28 95