About Danish for You

Karen Bahamondes
Co-founder and teacher

Karen holds a BA in Danish and Danish as a Second Language from the University of Copenhagen. She has been teaching Danish to highly qualified internationals at language schools in Copenhagen and Frederiksberg since 1997.

Karen has extensive experience of client-based teaching and tailored language programmes, as well as being at the forefront of e-learning development in Denmark.

Her passion for educational theory, IT and teaching comes to the fore in her development of the Danish for You learning platform, which draws on her professional experience in creating the teaching materials and website for people studying state-authorised language programmes in Denmark, published as Rigtig Dansk by Gyldendal.

As well as Danish, Karen also speaks English and Spanish.

Karen about learning languages

"Already as a child, I found it exciting that people were speaking different languages.
The first foreign language I learned, was German, because my father had a lot of business partners and friends in Germany, so we often went there.
I quickly learned, that it was easier to get in contact with the other children, if I could talk with them in their own language. And like that, I also experienced that a language is not just a language, but also a culture - I was discovering a whole new and exciting world!

Later, I was learning English and went to a language school in England, and in highschool, I also did Latin and French. However, my favourite subject was Danish which is why I choose studying Danish and Danish as a Second Language at The University of Copenhagen.

My husband is Argentinian and we decided on a very early stage that we would learn each other's languages, because like that we would also reach to a deeper understanding of each other's background, mentality, and culture. - You sort of change your identity, when you speak another language."

Malene Neergaard
Co-founder and teacher

Malene holds an MA in modern Greek and English from the University of Copenhagen. She also has post-grad certification in teaching Danish as a second language for adults from the Danish School of Education.

From 1989 to 1999 she taught modern Greek on an evening-class basis – as well as at the University of Copenhagen.

Malene has been teaching Danish to highly qualified internationals since 1999. She also has 15 years’ experience as an educational counsellor, as well as 4 years’ experience as an examination coordinator.

In recent years Malene has specialised in e-learning, with a professional focus on online feedback and the individual client.

As well as Danish, Malene speaks Greek, English and some French.

Malene about learning languages

"I have always loved languages and back in school, Danish, English, and German were my favourite subjects.

Later, I chose to study Modern Greek at university and lived in Greece for 6 years, where I really felt what a difference it makes when you are able to speak and understand the language of the locals.

At the moment, I'm experiencing the exact same with French in France where I spend several months each year.

A great part of our identity is connected to the language we are speaking and thinking and dreaming in, and that's why I'm completely convinced that language plays a major role to how we thrive and interact in this world."

Isabella Oulton, English Teacher

Isabella was born in London and after graduating with a B.A. in the History of European Art and Architecture and an M.A. in Curating, worked for ten years in the public and private gallery sector.

She moved to France in 1991 and has been teaching since 2000. She holds several TEFL advanced teaching certificates and regularly participates in training and teaching conferences.

As an English teacher she has worked with students from many professional areas within the creative industries, especially architecture, visual, applied and performing arts. She has also worked with architects on the translations of their websites and the production of publicity material. She has a keen interest in international contemporary architecture and recently ran English classes in the Bijoy Jain exhibition in Paris.

Isabella also teaches business English to professionals in the areas of  IT, management, agriculture, and logistics to help them develop their spoken communication skills and interact with clients, suppliers and subcontractors.

Isabella’s methodology is based around flexibility, with every programme and course being tailored to suit the needs and requirements of the students, especially those who are unsure about speaking. It maintains a strong emphasis on practical, everyday spoken English and pronunciation for effective international communication. She has experience in preparing students for English certifications and exams with a range of different exam providers.

Isabella about learning languages

"My grandfather reputedly spoke nine languages and as a child I was always fascinated by his ability to communicate with almost anyone he met with at least a few words of their own language. I saw how this led to understanding and connection.

When, as an adult, I moved to France I was confronted with the challenges of working and living between two languages and am still delighted to explore the opportunities and advantages afforded. I find that I can communicate differently depending on the language that I am using which gives me great scope for interpretation.

English has continuously been evolving as a language and is enriched by the contributions of all the different nationalities and cultures that speak it and contribute to it. The opportunities for communication that this presents, make English a language that is uniquely adapted to every person who uses it. 

I am fascinated by the oddities and particularities of English and a desire to share them with other people.

As a teacher my greatest pleasure is seeing how people become confident as they discover their capacity to communicate and adapt to the unique qualities of the language they are learning."