Danish for international graduate students at the University of Copenhagen

Development of a concept for tailor-made Danish language instruction, based on the specific needs of students with Danish as a second language.

Description

The overall goal of the subproject is to develop a concept for tailor-made Danish language instruction, based on the specific needs of the newly arrived graduate students at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH). The project consists of a needs analysis and a number of pilot courses to be held in autumn 2014.

The Danish language instruction is tailored the needs of the students. For instance, the lessons will take place at the university campuses and be scheduled at times where the students do not have other study activities scheduled. Furthermore, during the course there is a focus on areas relevant for the education and everyday life of the students as well at their future working life in Denmark.

The pilot courses will consist of a combination of face-to-face lessons and online lessons.

Aim

The aim is to strengthen internationalisation at UCPH by developing tailor-made Danish courses which can contribute to the retention   of international graduate students. The offer to take Danish lessons is designed to support the students through their study,  enhance their sense of belonging in Danish society and increase their chances of becoming a part of the Danish labour market in the long term.

Target Population

International graduate students at the UCPH – initially only students from the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Health and Medical Science.

Project elements

  • Information aimed at potential participants about the option for taking Danish lessons through the pilot course.
  • Completion of the pilot courses at the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Health and Medical Science at UCPH in the autumn of 2014
  • Analysis of student needs and wants through questionnaires and focus group interviews
  • Continuous evaluation and feedback from the course participants
  • Course development as well as the development of course materials

Activities

Fall 2014
Completion of two pilot courses for full degree students at the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Health and medical Sciences.

Spring 2015
Documentation and description of the completed course in a report concerning language and international students at UCPH. The report will be available in the fall of 2016 through the CIP website.

Dissemination

Report (January 2015) with the results from needs analysis and recommendations for the continuation of the activities.

Project Participants

Katja Årosin Laursen, research assistant (CIP – HUM)
The project will be carried out as part of UCPH’s language strategy “more languages for more students”, represented by postdoc Marta Kirilova (CIP – HUM).