Teaching style
Lifelong learning
Not a lot of students would say that going to class brings a smile to their face or even that they look forward to class. For many students going to class has meant learning by heart or taking meticulous notes off a blackboard. Sometimes going to class is even associated with a degree of anxiety. That is all going to change once you’ve attended your first folk high school lesson.
At a Danish folk high school, you will learn for the joy of learning, and be engaged in discussions with your teachers and friends, and you are encouraged to actively participate, share your thoughts and offer opinions. While our teachers are highly skilled professionals they are also there to learn from you. You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to be you.
Whether the class is an academic discipline, an outdoor activity or a creative exercise it will be based on inclusiveness and your interests. You’ll learn loads in ways you’ve never learned before.
At Silkeborg Høkskole, we have divided the subjects into three categories: Main subjects, Existential subjects and Elective subjects.
The range of existential and elective subjects changes from semester to semester, so there is always something new and exciting to choose from.
Main Subject
As part of your application you will choose one of the following five main subjects:
Art, Ceramics, Music, Nature and Outdoor Life and Sports and Water sports.
This will be your main subject throughout the semester.
Existential Subjects
Twice – during the introductory week as well as mid semester – each teacher present their existential subjects. Based on your interests you then choose the subjects you wish to attend. During a semester, you may attend two different existential subjects.
About Existential Subjects
Existential subjects explore different aspects of human life and interaction. We aim for the students to reflect on and gain knowledge of the existential wonders of life. The list of existential subjects is dynamic and updated each semester. Most Existential subjects are taught in Danish but relevant English translation will be provided. However, each semester you will also find several subjects taught in English with Danish translation.
Learn which Existential subjects we teach this semester.
Elective Subjects
Twice – during the introductory week as well as mid semester – each teacher present their elective subjects. Based on your interests you then choose the subjects you wish to attend. During a semester, you may attend 3-4 different elective subjects.
About Elective Subjects
Elective subjects often have a practical, physical or creative scope. You may choose subjects that relate to your main subject or you can cultivate new talents. The list of elective subjects is dynamic and updated each semester. Most Elective subjects are taught in Danish but relevant English translation will be provided. However, each semester you will also find several subjects taught in English with Danish translation.
Learn which Elective subjects we teach this semester.
Different modes of learning
Every week several additional teaching activites take place. These include daily morning assemblies, a weekly singalong, Immersion Fridays and more.
Morning Assembly
We begin each day in the assembly hall. Teachers, and sometimes students, present a theme, a hobby, a personal experience, a favourite movie, a piece of music, or something else entirely that is important to them and that they wish to share. This is also the time for singing from the famous songbook Højskolesangbogen, which is an integral part of Danish folk high schools.
Immersion Friday
Immersion Fridays offer new and challenging experiences within changing disciplines. There are Fridays dedicated to immersion in your main subject or exciting workshops on everything from crochet to street art, climbing and kayak polo.
Singalong
Once a week all students meet for an hour to enjoy the traditional Danish activity of communal singing; fællessang. It is a unique experience when 130 people sing together.
