fremmedsprog

Fremmedsprog is the Danish and Norwegian term for a language that is not one’s mother tongue, i.e., a foreign language. The word combines fremmed (foreign) and sprog (language). In practice it denotes any language learned beyond the native language.

In education systems that use the term, fremmedsprog is a core subject in primary and secondary levels. English is commonly the first fremmedsprog taught, with German, French, and Spanish among the other frequently offered languages. Curricula focus on developing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills to enable intercultural communication.

Proficiency levels are typically described using the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), from A1 to C2, providing a common standard for assessment and progression across schools and exams.

Benefits of learning fremmedsprog include improved mobility and employment prospects, enhanced cognitive skills, and greater cultural understanding. Challenges can include uneven access to qualified teachers, motivation fluctuations, and disparities in resources between schools or regions.

Digital tools, online courses, and language-learning apps have broadened access to fremmedsprog learning, supporting traditional classroom instruction with self-directed study and interactive practice.

Related topics include language education, CEFR, and language policy.