How to Learn Danish: 6 Effective Ways to Learn Danish Fast
Kelsey Wetherbee
Published on January 4, 2023
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Are you trying to learn Danish but still need to find the right way to learn?
In this guide, I’ll show you a variety of Danish language resources that can teach you everything you need to communicate effectively. I’ve included the best apps, books, online courses, YouTube channels, and podcasts to start your Danish studies. You’ll also find the best platforms to look for Danish online tutors.
Our team at Langoly has over 5 decades of combined language learning experience, which means we’re familiar with the process of learning a new language. To help you find language tools that work for you, we’ve tested and reviewed over 600 language products. Once you read this guide, you’ll be ready to move towards your Danish language goals!
With more than 5.5 million native speakers, Danish is one of the most spoken languages in Europe. It’s the official language of Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. Danish is closest to Norwegian and Swedish and is generally mutually intelligible between speakers of each of these languages. Denmark frequently tops the list of happiest countries in the world, which is based on factors such as income, life expectancy, generosity, and more. Many people want to learn the language to move to Denmark but, if you’re just looking to travel, knowing Danish is beneficial.
Table of Contents
How to Learn Danish: Use These 6 Methods to Become Fluent Fast!- 1. Use the Best Danish Apps
- 2. Take an Online Danish Course
- 3. Find an Online Danish Tutor
- 4. Study with High-Quality Danish Books
- 5. Watch Danish YouTube Videos
- 6. Listen to Danish Podcasts
How to Learn Danish: Use These 6 Methods to Become Fluent Fast!
Studying a little bit every day, or at least a few times a week, is the most effective way to learn and retain a language. To become fluent in Danish, you need to develop all your language skills, including vocabulary, grammar, listening, speaking, reading, and writing. But, since there isn’t one single resource that can teach you all you need to know, you’ll need to combine different learning methods and language resources. That’s why we’ve included the 6 different methods on the list. You can combine a few different ones to create a comprehensive study routine.
Finding the right place to start or a learning method that adjust to your needs can be hard at a beginning. To save you time, our team has tested different Danish resources applying our strict methodology. This way, you can be sure that you’re learning with high-quality tools that will help you make progress in your Danish studies!
1. Use the Best Danish Apps
Language apps are one of the most popular ways to learn Danish, and for good reason! They are entertaining and convenient because you can learn wherever you have your phone or other device. There’s a wide variety to choose from, but some are better than others. The apps listed below, Babbel, Pimsleur, and Mondly, are three of the best options available to help you learn Danish.
Commitment: Low
Price: Low-Medium
Convenience: High
Babbel
Babbel is the best overall to learn Danish because you practice all areas of the language: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The lessons are quick and interesting and use a series of interactive activities to help you improve. The app has an innovative algorithm that adjusts the difficulty based on your previous answers to ensure that you understand and remember words long-term. If you’re interested in Babbel, you can try a lesson for free or read more about it in this Babbel review.
Pimsleur
Pimsleur is easy to use. The lessons are all audio, so you can listen to them anywhere. Each lesson breaks down a conversation between native speakers into bite-sized chunks. During the lessons, you listen and repeat after the native Danish speakers to practice correct pronunciation. It doesn’t overwhelm you with complicated grammar and you start speaking from the first lesson. You can try Pimsleur for free for 7 days or read this complete Pimsleur review to learn more information.
Mondly
Mondly is the best app for Danish beginners because it helps you learn the basics quickly. It’s an interactive app that uses new technology to create fun and interesting lessons. You can complete the lessons in any order you want and study what interests you. Mondly has lots of ways you can track your progress, which is perfect for helping you stay motivated. Mondly has a 7-day free trial so you can test out the app. You can also read our Mondly review to learn more about the app.
2. Take an Online Danish Course
If you like learning with a goal in mind, an online Danish course is a good option. They are comprehensive and you don’t waste time trying to find what to study next. Since they follow a set lesson plan, you’re always building on what you already learned. Udemy, Audible, and LingoHut are high-quality options to help you learn Danish quickly.
Commitment: High
Price: Medium-High
Convenience: Medium
Udemy
Udemy is a massive online platform with educational courses covering every topic you can think of. They also have tons of language courses, including several that teach Danish. The courses are self-paced with video lessons as well as individual study material and homework. Each course has a preview video and a detailed description to see exactly what will be covered. You can also read this complete Udemy review to learn more about the platform.
Audible
Audible has a few Danish courses and most come from well-established language apps like Innovative Language and Pimsleur. With Audible, you can choose the course that fits your level and since it’s all audio, you can listen and learn hands-free. It’s an excellent way to practice listening, speaking, and pronunciation skills. Best of all, you can try Audible for free for 30 days.
LingoHut
LingoHut has a self-taught Danish course that focuses on learning new vocabulary words. There are currently 125 lessons available. Each lesson focuses on an important topic, like celebrations, family members, and sports. You learn with flashcards and then play interactive games to reinforce the words you just learned. It’s completely free so it’s worth taking a look!
3. Find an Online Danish Tutor
One of the most effective ways to take your Danish to the next level is to talk with a native speaker. But if you don’t know anyone who speaks is, this can be difficult. Thanks to advancements in online language learning in the past few years, it’s now possible to learn Danish from anywhere in the world. Italki, Preply, and Superprof are three language learning platforms that have Danish tutors waiting to teach you!
Commitment: Medium
Price: Medium-High
Convenience: Medium
italki
italki is one of the largest language learning platforms and can connect you with a qualified Danish tutor to take online lessons. It’s very flexible because you choose when you want to take classes and what you want to study. Each teacher also sets their own price so you can find one that fits your budget. Most tutors offer a discounted trial class so you can see if they are a good fit for you. You can also read our italki review to learn more about the platform.
Preply
Preply is a platform similar to italki. You can choose a Danish teacher by looking at their profiles and schedule an online class with them. Each teacher provides their own curriculum so you can focus on exactly what you want to learn. You can also read past student reviews of each teacher and see how many classes they’ve taught on the platform. You can take a discounted trial lesson with most teachers or learn more about the platform in this Preply review.
Superprof
Superprof is another platform that’s specifically for learning languages. Most tutors offer online classes, but some have face-to-face classes if there’s one near you. Each teacher has a bio, reviews, and ratings so you can learn more about them before taking a class. Each tutor sets their own rate, so there’s a wide range of prices and you find an option that fits your budget. Almost all tutors offer the first lesson for free so you can see if you enjoy taking their class before paying anything.
4. Study with High-Quality Danish Books
Books are a more traditional way to learn Danish. They include detailed explanations as well as practice exercises and cultural notes. Books are a flexible way to learn because you can easily skip to the parts that interest you. Complete Danish, Danish Tutor, and Short Stories for Danish Beginners are 3 popular choices. They can be used as self-study guides or with a Danish teacher.
Commitment: Low
Price: Medium
Convenience: Medium
Complete Danish
Complete Danish is a book that will take you from the beginner to the intermediate level. It’s designed as a self-study guide, so you can use it without a teacher. Each chapter focuses on an everyday activity such as introducing yourself, shopping, and booking a hotel. You’ll learn vocabulary, read dialogues, and learn important grammar topics in every chapter. You can also download the Teach Yourself Danish app for additional practice activities and to hear pronunciation. Read more about Complete Danish here.
Danish Tutor
Danish Tutor is a great refresher book for people who have already studied this language in the past. It has 25 units that cover essential vocabulary and review important grammar topics. The book contains 200 activities that focus on real-world applications of Danish such as reading and writing practice, necessary vocabulary, and tips from your “personal Danish tutor.” Reviewers agreed that this book is not best for complete beginners, but is an excellent resource for learners who already have a base level of Danish. You can read more opinions about the book here.
Short Stories in Danish for Beginners
Short Stories in Danish for Beginners is a compilation of 8 different stories that include the most frequently used Danish vocabulary words and are written for a lower-level Danish learner. Each story includes a vocabulary list of important words, a plot summary, and comprehension questions to make sure you understand the story. People who bought this book liked that it was written in basic Danish, but geared towards adults. See what other people had to say about this book here.
5. Watch Danish YouTube Videos
Watching YouTube videos is fun, but you can also watch videos to learn Danish! It’s a great way to learn because you can hear how real people speak the language. There’s a wide variety of videos that are helpful depending on your level. If you’re a beginner, you can watch free videos that teach the basics of grammar and vocabulary. If you’re more advanced, there are others that are completely in Danish and show what life is like in Denmark. No matter your level, you’re sure to find something that interests you!
Commitment: Low
Price: Low
Convenience: High
Danish Mastery
The Danish Mastery YouTube channel has tons of videos teaching essential vocabulary and grammar topics in Danish. There are videos that are completely in Danish so you can hear how the language sounds when it’s naturally spoken. Unfortunately, Danish Mastery has restricted some of their videos so if you want complete access to all the videos, you’ll have to pay for an exclusive membership. But luckily there are enough videos available for free so you can see if you want to invest in a membership.
Mic’s Languages
Mic is multilingual so he posts videos in several languages. While you have to sort through the videos to find the ones that are specific to Danish, it’s worth it to find them and watch them since it’s his native language. He has videos that teach Danish in the traditional classroom style and has videos that cover common language topics like grammar and vocabulary. He’s still posting Danish videos so it’s worth checking out his channel.
Easy Danish
Easy Danish is part of the Easy Languages series of videos. It’s an interesting concept because they take to the streets and interview regular people speaking Danish. This is a great way to hear how it’s spoken by normal people and you can practice your listening, comprehension, and pronunciation skills. This link goes to the overall Easy Languages YouTube channel, but you can find the Danish videos in the playlist section.
6. Listen to Danish Podcasts
Podcasts are an excellent way to practice listening and Danish pronunciation skills. Since podcasts are audio-based, you can also go hands-free and listen anytime and anywhere. Some podcasts focus on teaching specifics of the language, while others are entirely in Danish and talk about different topics of interest. DanishClass101, Learning with Ervin, and How to Live in Denmark are popular podcasts that have hundreds of hours of content for you to listen to.
Commitment: Low
Price: Low
Convenience: High
DanishClass101
DanishClass101 has hundreds of podcast-style lessons that teach grammar, vocabulary, and Danish culture. The lessons generally focus on a conversation between native speakers and then they explain in detail what they were talking about, and you practice along with them. Additionally, there are lesson notes, transcripts, vocabulary practice, and more. The content is regularly updated and improved, so there’s always something new to learn. You can try DanishClass101 with a 7-day free trial.
Learning with Ervin
The Learning with Ervin podcast has episodes that are available no matter what your level is, from beginner to advanced. The beginner episodes are in both English and Danish so you can understand what you’re learning. His concept is that he speaks slowly and clearly so learners can understand him. You can listen to the Learning with Ervin podcast on a variety of channels like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.
How to Live in Denmark
The How to Live in Denmark podcast won’t actually teach you Danish because it’s in English, but it’s a great resource if you plan to move to Denmark or want to learn about Danish culture. Kay is a foreigner in Denmark and brings you humorous observations and anecdotes about living abroad. Best of all, every episode is available for free and you can search for the topics that interest you.
How to Learn Danish: Final Thoughts
I hope this list has given you suggestions and inspiration on your Danish language learning journey. Whichever way you prefer to learn, there’s a resource available for you on this list. When choosing a study method, you should consider factors like how much time you can study per week, your learning style, and what are your goals for learning Danish. Remember, most language resources offer a free trial, or some free content, so you can try it out to see if it’s right for you. With dedication and hard work, you’ll be speaking like a Dane before you know it!
Want to learn more? Check out our Danish resource page.
How to Learn Danish: FAQ
According to the US Department of State, it will take approximately 600 class hours to learn Danish. It’s considered an easy language for English speakers to learn because of the similarities between the two languages. However, this is an estimate and your actual learning time can depend on a variety of factors such as your natural ability to acquire languages and if you already speak a language that’s similar to Danish.
To see how long it will take you to learn Danish, check out our Fluency Calculator.
To learn Danish quickly, it’s best to use a variety of resources to study. Each way to learn has its strengths and weaknesses, so using multiple ones ensures that you’ll have a comprehensive knowledge of the language. For example, a book can give you detailed grammar explanations, but taking classes with an online Danish tutor is much more effective for improving conversation and listening skills.
There are many ways to learn Danish at home, but one of the most popular ways is to use a language app. There are many choices available, but Babbel, Pimsleur, and Mondly are some of the best options available for learning Danish. If you prefer a more structured approach, you can take an online Danish course or take online classes with a Danish tutor.
Danish is considered an easy language for English speakers to learn. This is because the two languages have many similarities. But it will still take hard work and lots of study time to learn. Like learning any language, you need an effective study routine and lots of practice to become proficient in Danish.
If you want to become fluent in Danish, you will probably need to take classes with a Danish teacher to practice speaking, listening, and pronunciation. Using other resources like language apps or a book is a great way to start learning, but they aren’t the best resource to practice all skills, especially speaking.
Another way to learn Danish fluently is to use authentic Danish materials. You can read Danish newspapers, watch the news, or listen to podcasts in Danish to hear how the language is truly spoken. You can also practice with a native speaker by using an app like Tandem or HelloTalk.
Thanks to the internet, there are many ways to learn Danish for free. There are some language apps that offer some or all of their content without having to pay. You can use Duolingo’s entire Danish course for free. Other apps, like DanishClass101 and Drops have a limited amount of free content, but it’s enough to get you started. You can also find free authentic Danish material by searching for newspapers, blogs, websites, YouTube channels, and more from Denmark.
