Learn Danish and make friends from all over the world
The Summer School is a unique experience for expat Danish children and teens (10-17).
We offer instruction in the Danish language and the culture of Denmark for students who live outside Denmark. This is a fantastic opportunity to get to know Denmark better, learn Danish, and make friends with other expat children and teens.
The 2024 Summer School takes place 10-26 July in Denmark.
Did you know that 70% of Summer School students attended previously?
Accommodations
Summer School leases premises at several educational institutions on the island of Funen or in Jutland. Students share rooms sleeping two or three.
Staff are available round the clock. Teachers and activity coordinators are assigned to specific dorms and look after the students (for example, in the case of homesickness).
We’ll get the student into the appropriate class
At Summer School, the priority is that students lean Danish while they socialize with their friends – new ones and old ones.
To ensure that all students are assigned to the appropriate class, the teachers administer a language test on the first day. The students are then assigned to a class in one of three levels: Danish for Beginners, Intermediate Danish, and School Level Danish.
Lessons in Danish language
Summer School offers 35 language lessons depending on the age of the students.
We make efforts to make the instruction engaging and enjoyable to provide a varied, rich, and creative learning environment.
Teachers at Summer School
All Summer School teachers have professional credentials in teaching Danish. They know how to build interesting and varied lessons and how to support each student individually with respect to learning and achievement.
The activity coordinators
Many of the activity coordinators have professional credentials in teaching sports, music, or design. They arrange the activities offered in the afternoons, evenings, and weekends: Sports and outdoor activities, cooking, theatre, games café, and design workshops.
Meet Summer School activity coordinator Kasper in this video.
In-depth details about Summer School
Join us for a video tour of Summer School. The video is best viewed through Virtual Reality goggles, but you may watch it from your computer using your mouse.
Which of the levels Danish for Beginners, Basic Danish, or School Level Danish is right for my child?
On the first day of Summer School, the teachers administer a language test to determine the most appropriate level for each student.
Is Danish the only subject taught at Summer School?
The Summer School program includes, in addition to lessons in Danish language and literature, instruction in the culture related subjects taught in the national school system.
Thus, history, religion, social studies, and natural sciences are part of the overall content.
That way, students gain insight into the society of Denmark and the cultural environment of Danish children and teens.
During the 17 days of Summer School, we have the students visit, say, a museum, a factory, a TV station, or an art exhibit. Sleeping under the stars in the woods is our way of helping students get to know the natural environment in Denmark.
What about food?
Students and staff take their meals together, and we make sure to provide a healthy and varied meal plan.
Meals may be tailored to the needs of students who avoid peanuts, nuts, gluten, lactose, pork, or meat in general. However, we are not able to accommodate requests for special food such as a vegan diet.
Is the student supposed to bring a laptop or tablet?
Students are required to bring a computer or iPad, and they are responsible for arranging to have the device stored under lock and key so that it is not left out in the dorm room.
We recommend that the device have a Danish keyboard with the letters Æ, Ø, and Å.
Is there a policy for tobacco and alcohol?
It is strictly forbidden to use or possess alcohol and substances such as marijuana. At all three venues, the use of tobacco products is banned.
Summer School staff enforce the rules. We stress that any violation of these rules may cause immediate dismissal. Any such dismissal wil be arranged with the student’s parents or contact persons. The cost of travel from the venue is the responsibility of the student.
Dismissal from Summer School will be a factor in a student’s opportunity to attend future Summer Schools.
What if a student leaves prematurely?
A student may depart prematurely due to illness, homesickness, or violation of the rules.
Once Summer School has started, refunds are not possible because we are unable to offer the space to anyone else and because our expenses for premises and staff do not decrease.
My child has special needs – may he or she still attend Summer School?
To the extent it is feasible, we welcome students with special needs.
Please reach out to Tina Andersen at tina@danes.dk or +45 3332 0913 to discuss the details.
The student speaks neither Danish nor English. Is that a hindrance?
We are unable to take on the responsibility for the safety of a student who cannot understand or communicate basic messages of emergency or symptoms of illness. Similarly, during excursions students must be able to understand traffic directions given to the group.
Additionally, it is our experience that students unable to speak Danish and/or English feel excluded from the community of other students.
Registration and payment
You can find information about registration and payment for the Summer School on this page
You are always welcome to contact us
The Danes Worldwide Summer School is a separate legal entity (a commercial foundation) to which the Danes Worldwide Secretariat provides administrative services.