Why Learning Danish Is Harder Than You Think (But Worth It For Expats)
Release Date: 05/29/2025
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info_outlineSigga Hansen joins the Expat Focus Podcast to share honest insights about learning Danish as an expat. As founder of Lingua Danica and one of Denmark's most experienced Danish teachers, she reveals why Danish is trickier than expected - and why it's essential for truly experiencing Danish life. Key Insights:
- Why Germans learn Danish faster than Swedes (surprising but true!)
- The pronunciation challenges that trip up most learners
- Why Copenhageners immediately switch to English
- The "hidden Denmark" you'll miss if you only speak English
- Real language learning strategies that work beyond apps
Sigga brings unique perspective from teaching thousands of international students and living abroad herself. Whether you're moving to Denmark for work or love, this episode helps set realistic expectations while finding motivation to push through the challenging early stages.
#LearnDanish #Denmark #ExpatLife #LanguageLearning #DanishLanguage #MovingToDenmark
00:00 Introduction
00:39 Meet Sigga Hansen: Danish Language Teacher
00:54 Sigga's Journey to Teaching Danish
02:40 Challenges and Rewards of Learning Danish
03:34 Typical Students and Their Motivations
04:18 The Role of English in Denmark
05:29 Language Similarities and Learning Advantages
07:04 High-Profile Danish Speakers
09:38 Danish Pronunciation and Patience
12:00 Teaching Danish: Joys and Methods
14:31 The Importance of Learning Danish in Denmark
17:18 Staying Motivated and Measuring Progress
18:26 Where to Find Sigga Hansen
18:59 Conclusion and Additional Resources
Find Sigga Hansen on Instagram: @LinguaDanica
More Denmark episodes:
🎧 Expat Careers In Denmark
🎧 How The Danish Healthcare System Works
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