EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Language lessons at home for immigrant women

Language lessons at home for immigrant women

Introduction

In the Arnhem Women Together project immigrant women become familiar with Dutch society by means of language lessons at home. The women consequently become more socially active, they meet each other more often and are more self-sufficient.

Problem

It was noticed by institutional workers in the district that many immigrant women are hardly able to converse in Dutch and therefore seldom participate in their Dutch living environment.

Description

Tailor-made language lessons at home combined with social activation encourages immigrant women to take an active part in Dutch society. With the assistance of volunteers, who help the women to learn Dutch, contact with the outside world becomes more accessible. The lessons are provided by female volunteers, the so-called tutors. The point of departure is that the culture, values and standards within the family of the student are respected.

Approach

The project Arnhem Women Together is a dual plan funded by the city. The Rijnstad foundation bears ultimate responsibility for the project. To this end, it employs a coordinator and concentrates on the social activation side of the project, amongst other things. The School of Education of the Rijn IJssel Regional Training Centre supplies the language tutor and the range of languages.

The project rests on two pillars. The first pillar is increasing the language level of the students. The second pillar focuses on promoting integration and familiarisation. In doing so, breaking the cycle of or preventing social isolation is extremely important.

Results

The self-confidence of the women is increased by using their own skills and qualities as a point of departure and helping them become aware of them. This takes place, among other means, by use of the portfolio method.
The women are introduced to easily-accessible activities in, among other places, the community centres and other institutions in the district. This is the beginning of integration.
Women take part in Dutch-language coffee get-togethers in the morning with a theme or creative activities.
A number of women can now make an appointment with the doctor or chat to the woman next door in Dutch.
A number of women take more initiative to engage in activities outside their homes.
A few women take part in the 55+ gym provided by stichting Welzijn Ouderen, a welfare foundation for seniors.
Most women have more self-confidence in their speaking skills and are better able to carry on a conversation.

Contact info

Rijn IJssel Regional Training Centre
H. Fiesler (coordinator), tel. +31 26 3217606

Project start date

16/04/2003

Links

Regional training centres in the Netherlands (in Dutch)Dutch National Network of 'language courses at home' organisations (in Dutch)

Project portfolio (PDF, Dutch, 67KB)

Project checklist (PDF, Dutch, 10KB)

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Quality of life

Keywords

Skills improvement