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

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

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)

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)

CEFR: Common European Framework of reference

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

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

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.dkPhone: +45 33 92 28 95