Language learning
Strong Focus on Language Learning
The mission of the European Schools is to provide a multilingual and multicultural education for nursery, primary and secondary level students, and language acquisition and immersion is therefore a core part of the curriculum.
We distinguish between the section languages (L1), foreign languages (L2, L3, L4 and L5) and other languages (LX).
Language Sections at ESCPH
We have three language sections at European School Copenhagen:
Danish, English, and French
The section language is also known as the mother tongue or first language (L1) and is the child’s primary language of tuition in the school.
In order to be admitted to a language section, the child must speak the section language fluently, and the language must be anchored in the student’s daily life.
Multilingual Education
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First foreign language – L2
All students choose their first foreign language, also known as language 2 or just L2, in Primary 1 (P1). Learning in L2 continues through to the end of a student’s school career in Secondary 7 (S7).
Here at European School Copenhagen, we offer the three standard L2 languages: English, German, French.
The choice of L2 is particularly important as the students will be taught some of their subjects (e.g. Human Science, Economics, Geography and History) in their L2 from Secondary 3 and up.
Second foreign language – L3
All students must choose a second foreign language, also known as language 3 or just L3, in Secondary 1.
Learning in L3 is compulsory from S1 to S5 and optional in S6 and S7.
At the European School Copenhagen, we offer: L3 Danish, L3 English, L3 French and L3 German.
The establishment of L3 English and L3 Danish groups is guaranteed. For the establishment of L3 German and L3 French groups in Secondary 1 (S1), a minimum of 7 students is required.
Third foreign language – L4
Students can choose a third foreign language, also known as language 4 or just L4, in Secondary 4 (S4). L4 is an optional subject.
At the European School Copenhagen, we offer L4 Spanish.
Students Without a Language Section (SWALS)
SWALS are students who fall under admission category A and whose mother tongue/dominant language is an official language of an EU Member State (with the exception of Irish and Maltese) but for whom no language section in their mother tongue/dominant language exists in the school.
SWALS students are entitled to tuition in their mother tongue/dominant language (L1), working on the assumption that the school has or can recruit a duly qualified teacher.
SWALS are normally enrolled in the English or French section. The language of the section is the student’s L2. SWALS can also be enrolled in the Danish language section on condition that no additional costs are incurred. Their L2 should be English, French, or German.
Deutsches Sprachdiplom (DSD)
DSD is an abbreviation of Deutsches Sprachdiplom. At European School Copenhagen, we offer both the DSD I and DSD II exams.
Both DSD exams are a proof of language level recognised by universities and companies. The language level of DSD I is B1 according to the CEFR scale and for DSD II it is B2 or C1.
The examinations are free of charge.
Latin
In Secondary 2 (S2) all students have ICT and can choose to study Latin as an optional subject. In Secondary 3 (S3) students choose to study either ICT or Latin. If they choose Latin, they study it both in S2 and S3 and can then go on to study Advanced Latin in S4 if they wish.
Mother tongue tuition in the City of Copenhagen
The Municipality of Copenhagen offers mother tongue tuition to bilingual children living in Copenhagen and other municipalities.