Allegro - Learners

Kirsten, aged 65 years, has been a student for several years at the ‘Senior Day School’ at Frederiksbjeg Community Centre, where she and her fellow learners attend classes for 10 hours a week, over two days. This autumn Allegro has formed a part of the activities of the school.

Kirsten has for her entire life worked as a cleaning assistant at several large institutions in Århus. During her working life she was appointed team leader of more than one cleaning crew. Her secondary school-education was minimal and she had never learned foreign languages.

The reason Kirsten attends the Senior Day School is to learn more about her own life, society around her and other people, traditions and cultures. Therefore she and the other students at the school have welcomed the ALLEGRO project and the opportunity of attending ‘Norwegian Days’. For Kirsten the purpose of attending school is also to have a chance to exchange her own life experiences and understanding with people her own age. The social contact – meeting new people and making new friends - is an important part of joining the school , but also important is the opportunity to learn new things. Having new and challenging activities like the ones arranged through ALLEGRO gives her and the other student a broader view on life in general, other cultures and language and this makes them interested in learning more and being open towards new language-experiences and challenges.