Skanderborg, November 25, 2001

An American's visit to eight grade classes

The eight grade classes of Morten Børup School in Skanderborg has worked in both Danish and English with the theme of "America—language and culture". As a part of this study we invited Denver D. Robinson to visit the class. Partly so the students could hear and speak with a native English speaker, and also to hear about the USA—and on being an American in Denmark.

Denver's visit took two class periods. He began with a very short introduction of himself—in Danish. This was to make it clear to the students how difficult it is to express oneself in a foreign language, but one learns to in small steps. Afterwards he told of his background, education and some of the major events in his life.

The rest of the visit took the form of a dialogue between Denver and the class. There were many questions on the state of things in America—geographically, societally, historically and on Denver's experience with Denmark and Danes.

The visit was clearly a success because English was the necessary means to receive knowledge and insight. Denver has—after his 7 years in Denmark—a good understanding of conditions here and our young, and therefore the dialogue was quite rewarding.

I heartily recommend other classes (eight to tenth grade) make arrangements for a similar visit. It is a very good supplement to the daily—and maybe traditional—education.

I stand willingly at your disposal to provide additional information.

Kind regards,


Birgitte Therkildsen
Danish Teacher (8th grade), and Subject Matter Consultant in Danish
(86936022)