FRA ‘HEJ’ TIL HYGGE: Learning the World’s Coziest Language

A Blog by Michael-Julian

Velkommen! I’m So Glad You’re Here!

Hello! I’m Michael-Julian, and I am on a mission to unlock the beautiful, quirky, and notoriously challenging Danish language. At age 65, I am taking up the challenge to study Danish—often described as the hardest of the Scandinavian languages due to its complex pronunciation—for pure personal enrichment.

My ultimate dream? To visit Denmark for several months at a time and experience Denmark’s cozy, laid-back lifestyle, rich cultural heritage (from traditional choral singing to modern pop music), beautiful countryside, and delicious food. Most of all, I want to make genuine new friends by speaking fluent Danish. Who knows—maybe someday I'll get to meet the world’s most famous Danish language learner: Denmark’s Queen Mary!

The Professor's Perspective on Language Learning

I spent my career as a professional translator and college professor of Spanish and Interpretation/Translation. A native of Iowa, I lived and worked for over 10 years in Mexico as a linguist and instructor and hold advanced degrees in Spanish Language and General Linguistics from universities in the U.S. and Mexico. I've been speaking Spanish fluently at a near-native level for over 40 years.

Because of my background, I know a few things about learning a new language and culture, curriculum design, teaching methodologies, and what it actually takes to acquire a second language at a high level. When I decided to learn Danish, I quickly realized that automated language apps like Duolingo and Babbel just weren't going to cut it. To master Danish at higher levels, I knew I needed a strategy that blended together three elements: Expert curriculum design, pedagogy, and input from an accomplished Danish language instructor.

My Strategy: Human Instruction + Customized Online Tools + Collaborative AI Language Practice

Today, my daily study routine relies on a powerful combination of three things:

Expert Curriculum Design and Input “IRL” by a Danish Instructor: I am working through the structured, CEFR-aligned courses at Lingua Danica, taught by Copenhagen-based instructor Sigga Hansen.
Customized Online Tools: I use the Anki flashcard app to create custom flashcards and specialized keyboards to easily type the three additional letters (æ, ø, and å) and enter IPA pronunciations.
The AI Innovation: I use Claude, Anthropic's AI, as a 24/7 virtual language partner to practice my conversational skills, test new vocabulary, and get instant grammar feedback.

I do my studying at home near Des Moines, Iowa, where I live with my cat, Lila. She is entirely bilingual—meaning she ignores me equally in both English and Spanish!

What You’ll Find on This Blog

This space is a living chronicle of my path to Danish fluency. Whether you are a total beginner, a fellow language enthusiast, a seasoned language learner, or an older adult looking to challenge your brain with a new skill, this blog is for you. Here, I’ll be sharing:

A linguist's honest reviews of the Danish courses, tools, and learning methods I’ve used.
My personal milestones and struggles.
Practical tips on how to integrate online tools into your own language journey.
Cultural insights as I discover what hygge truly means from the inside out.