sprogpraksis

Sprogpraksis is a concept in language education that focuses on the practical use and development of language skills through authentic communication and real-life tasks. It aims to build communicative competence across listening, speaking, reading and writing, prioritizing functional language use over isolated grammar drills. The term combines sprog (language) and praksis (practice) and is used in Danish-language didactics to describe approaches where language learning is integrated with everyday activities and subject content.

In practice, sprogpraksis is implemented through approaches such as task-based language teaching, project work, and content-and-language-integrated learning (CLIL). It emphasizes learning language in meaningful contexts, using authentic materials, real-life roles, and collaboration with peers and native speakers when possible. It often involves integrating language work with other subjects and activities, rather than teaching language in isolation.

Settings and aims: common in primary and secondary schooling, adult education, and community programs. It supports diversified learners, including newcomers and bilinguals, and strives to promote inclusion by enabling learners to participate in social, educational and civic life through language.

Assessment and feedback: evaluation is typically formative, focusing on actual communication tasks, with language portfolios, performance rubrics, and self-reflection to monitor progress and set goals.

Challenges: resource constraints, ensuring balance between fluency and accuracy, varying language backgrounds, and aligning classroom practices with curricula. Proponents stress ongoing teacher professional development and access to authentic materials and digital tools to sustain sprogpraksis.