EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Learn better Dutch in the library

Learn better Dutch in the library - Utrecht

Introduction

Integrating individuals, language students and people who wish to learn to read, write and speak the Dutch language better, get the opportunity to practice in the library in Utrecht. Amongst other things, the library facilitates language programmes on the computer.

Problem

How do you provide integrating individuals, language students and people who wish to improve their Dutch language skills with the opportunity to practice?

Description

Many people attend an integration course or a Dutch language course. The library in Utrecht wishes to help these people to learn Dutch. For language practice, the library provides language courses on the computer. In the Central library and six district libraries, the language courses 'Nieuwe Buren' and 'IJsbreker' have been installed on a number of the libraries’ computers.

The language-learning stations are a continuation of accessible computer activities that are being offered. The library already offered a general introduction to the computer and the Internet, for which computer familiarisation programmes have been furnished. A group of contact people from the district libraries evaluates the use of the programmes from time to time and monitors developments in social integration.

Approach

The use of the language programmes is free of charge. The librarians help the first time with logging on and setting the language. Each day, a course member can reserve 1.5 hours of practice time. In the above-mentioned libraries, a special cabinet has been furnished with materials designed for those learning Dutch as a second language. Those who have a library subscription for adults can borrow the materials in the cabinet without paying a lending charge.

Results

Besides educational institutions and city departments, the brochure on the project was also distributed in large numbers to district offices, district welfare institutions and mosques.
The language courses were officially instituted in February 2005.
In the first quarter of 2005, 63 language students regularly made use of the programmes in the libraries and 785 learning materials were lent.
The City Library intends to make the facilities provided more responsive to the needs of those in the process of integrating and language students.
For the influx of people taking language courses, existing contacts with the Regional Training Centre have been extended through collaboration with the Adult Education Centre.

Financing

The project is funded by the City of Utrecht and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Contact info

City of Utrecht
M. Hopma, tel. +31 30 2861876

Project start date

01/02/2005

Links

City of Utrecht

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Quality of life

Keywords

Skills improvement