This profile of the English language teaching situation in Denmark examines the role of English in Danish society and in the educational system. The status of English as the principal foreign language since the Second World War is noted as well as the wide usage of English as the principal medium of communication between Danes and non-Danish…

Questions in the title refer to reasons for learning a second language, the best time to begin, what language to choose, and methods most likely to succeed. Using examples from Danish language experience, the author urges that language teaching relate more closely to learners' desires, needs, attitudes and mental capacity. (CHK)

This is a descriptive outline of the language situation in the Danish education system. The introductory material discusses the reason for foreign language study. A major reason is that Denmark is a small country with a difficult native language for speakers of other languages to learn. Therefore, the Danish population is exposed to foreign…