Foreign language learning starts already in Primary 1 and continues all the way up to Secondary 7. The foreign languages are known as L2, L3, L4 and L5.
The language options for L2 to L5 will depend on the number of students choosing the different languages as it takes a minimum of seven students to form a language group. The students follow the same curriculum and have the same number of lessons regardless of the language chosen.
Subjects such as PE, ICT, Religion, Art, and Music may also be taught in either English, German, French or the home country language (Danish). In Primary 3-5, the subject ‘European Hours’ is taught to mixed language groups, generally in the students’ L2 or in the home country language (Danish).
Table of the languages offered at the European School Copenhagen
Table of basic level language proficiency in the different educational cycles
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 – as it is customary in the European Schools – three vehicular languages: English, German and 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.
For more information, please see the L2 parents’ guide.
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 can offer the following L3 languages: Danish, English, French, German, Italian or Spanish.
As it takes min. 7 students to offer a language, we currently only have L3 Danish, English, French or German classes.
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 can offer the following L4 languages: Danish, English, French, German, Italian or Spanish.
As it takes min. 7 students to offer a language, we currently only have L4 Spanish classes.
Fourth foreign language – L5
Students can choose a fourth foreign language, also known as language 5 or just L5, in Secondary 6 (S6). L5 is offered as a complementary subject in S6 and S7.
Here at European School Copenhagen, we are currently offering Chinese as L5.