The lessons are intended to master the basic principles of Dutch. Introducing yourself, shopping, striking up short conversations. “Students should not think that they will learn the language inside-out here. I also used to teach at the ROC, where students were taught three hours every day - which is totally different from ninety minutes per week. Still, you can lay a sound foundation enabling you to get cracking with the language further in a more intensive manner, or you can do a follow-up course at the adult education center.”

TU/e organizes the courses for partners of expats in cooperation with the adult education center. There are three levels. At the first level the students learn things like saying hello, the alphabet, singular and plural, the difference between ‘hebben’ and ‘zijn’, and ‘mogen’ and ‘moeten’. Lessons go up to level 3, by which time ten chapters from the book will have been dealt with. Annet Houben: “To give you an idea: this is still below the level that is set as a requirement for the beginners of the integration course. It is the basic beginnings of the basis.”

One by one the students have to say where they are from and what their names are. The numbers are obviously still difficult for them: the given that in Dutch you first say the final digit (six), and the ten only after this (seventy) is incomprehensible for many.

Houben speaks only Dutch right from the first lesson. “Most students are highly educated and speak English well. I don’t want to tempt them to speak English, so I don’t use it at all.” (HB)

A new series of Dutch courses for expats will start again in September. For more information you can turn to the Center for Communication, Language & Technology.