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Research Project Rethinks Teaching Danish as a Second Language: “It Is Important That We Have the Most Effective Language Instruction Possible”

Professor of Foreign Language Pedagogy Susana S. Fernández from Aarhus University is leading the research project “When Danish Emerges: Intercultural Pragmatics in the Teaching of Danish as a Second Language,” which aims to rethink the acquisition of Danish as a second language for migrants. To support this, the researchers are developing a "Minimal Danish" and a "Cultural Dictionary" to make it easier for migrants to integrate into Danish society, according to Susana S. Fernández

The front page of the research project’s online learning resource Danskib - Danish Language and Culture in Use. Photo: Susana S. Fernández.

Professor in Foreign Language Pedagogy Susana S. Fernández points to a folder on her computer screen containing a variety of categories of words. A kind of database of cultural concepts in Danish.

“Here is a list of some of the words we've described, which are related to the field,” she says and continues:

“A-kasse (unemployment insurance fund), paying taxes, boss, unemployment benefits, good work ethic. You can click on the different definitions of the words. We want to help migrants understand what they might encounter when communicating in Denmark.”

The development of a ‘cultural dictionary’ of complex cultural concepts and language usage norms is part of the vision for the research project "When Danish Becomes: Intercultural Pragmatics in Teaching Danish as a Second Language," as the researchers are also working on a ‘minimal Danish.’ A metalanguage of very basic words like for example, you, I, big, small, says, thinks, one, two, which are used to define and explain more complex and culturally specific concepts.

The cultural dictionary, which will be available online for free, aims to make it easier for migrants to acquire Danish and support their intercultural communicative competence.

“It’s about integrating people and giving them a place in society by providing them with good Danish language teaching,” says Susana S. Fernández.

One word at a time

The work is based on the approach Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM), which assumes that there is a small group of words with the same basic meanings across all languages in the world.

“In the method, you use a very reduced vocabulary with very simple words, which can be taught fairly early in a language course. You can use these words to make descriptions that are understandable,” explains Susana S. Fernández and continues:

“So even if you need to explain something very complex, like what community means for a Dane, you can do it with relatively simple words and simple grammar. This way, we try to help with what is called intercultural competence in language teaching.”

As part of the research project, the researchers are collaborating with Danish teachers from various language centers across the country.

“We’ve observed teaching and conducted interviews with teachers and students. We want to hear what they think is important (in teaching contexts) and what the students’ problems are when communicating in Denmark,” explains the professor.

“The students request more everyday language so they can communicate orally. They learn a lot about society, but they have difficulty talking to the hairdresser or the baker,” says Susana S. Fernández and explains why this is the case:

“In language teaching, pragmatics—meaning the study of how to use language in authentic situations—is sometimes overlooked. In the project, we are trying to provide Danish teachers with tools to work with intercultural pragmatics.”

The hope is that the research will help shape a new vision for teaching Danish as a second language to adult migrants. In the first instance, a collaboration with SIRI, the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration, will help spread the results of the research project in Denmark.

The first project of its kind in the world

The research project is an example of the importance of language research today, according to Susana S. Fernández, and she points out how research in didactics and teaching Danish as a second language is crucial for successful integration.

“Denmark wants people to integrate into the country and get a job. The people who come to the country and are going to live here need to learn Danish and find a job. It benefits all parties, right? Teaching a second language is central in all countries that receive migrants and refugees.”

The research project is the first of its kind in the world to test NSM and minimal language as an approach in a concrete teaching context. Therefore, Susana S. Fernández is not hesitant to call the project innovative, and the potential outcomes are significant, as the method can be applied to all languages.

“The results we get can be used similarly in other countries besides Denmark. It can easily be transferred to teaching other second languages.”

In reality, the research project is part of a larger global narrative about why acquiring language skills is crucial today, according to the professor of foreign language pedagogy.

“When we have a global world with significant human mobility and the need to communicate across national borders and languages, it’s important that we have the most effective language teaching we can,” she explains.

Globalization thus presents new demands on our linguistic abilities, highlighting the importance of language research. Whether it's about acquiring a second language or a foreign language through teaching.

“If you need deep communication with people, even in professional situations, English often isn’t enough,” points out Susana S. Fernández, adding:

“Equally important, language gives us insight into the world. You can’t understand major players like Russia, China, and the Arab world if you don’t understand their languages.”

Collaboration on original fundamental research

The project is supported by the VELUX FOUNDATION’s core group program, which aims to "support free, original fundamental research within the humanities and related social sciences," according to the foundation’s description.

In addition to Susana S. Fernández, Carsten Levisen from Roskilde University participates as co-project leader, adjunct professor Astrid Mus Rasmussen, postdoc Lauren Sadow, and PhD student Noah Rørbæk.

Learn more about the project here.

Contact

Susana S. Fernández, Professor
Department of German and Romance Languages
Department of Communication and Culture
Aarhus University
Email: romssf@cc.au.dk
Phone: +45 87162627

Mathias Holm Guldberg
Communications Officer
Department of Communication and Culture
Aarhus University
Email: magu@cc.au.dk
Phone: +45 22 13 31 3