The lessons have been devised to educate both absolute beginners and those able to have some sort of a conversation.
The beginners lessons are tutored by Theo van der Genugten and Astrid Lips, a teacher at Communication Studies (TCW). Astrid has experience teaching Dutch as a second language at ROC-institute. Explaining her non-bookish way of teaching, Astrid says, 'We play with vegetables and fruits while teaching students their names.' Theo adds, 'Such alternative lessons make the whole experience of teaching and learning equally stimulating.'
Free lessons, however, have their downside. Both feel that motivation among students would be higher had there been some fees for the lessons. Now, there are instances when students do not turn up regularly or neglect to complete their 'huiswerk'. Theo: 'From next year onwards, we shall be charging a nominal amount from students. This will allow us to deal with one of the major constraints, space, by renting a room.'
Theo asserts, 'Our objective is not to make people fluent in the language but rather to help them learn the basics so that they do not face problems in their day-to-day interactions. For instance, a person should be able to ask for things when he goes to a supermarket.' Astrid adds, 'To learn the language efficiently, you must understand it and immerse yourself in it.' Theo explains, 'Knowing the rules of a language doesn't help; one must speak and listen in order to have a command.' Astrid sums up rather passionately, 'If it were possible, I would have deputed each of the students to a Dutch family for a decent period of time. This would be the best way to learn the language and the culture.'
Inadequate or not, the participants find the lessons useful and entertaining. One of them, Balaji, testifies, 'The lessons are a good break from the routine schedule because the way the language is being taught is indeed very refreshing. I could never participate in conversations among my Dutch colleagues before I came here. Now, I understand them better and can also figure out things in the newspaper.'
Another student, Liviu, has found an even more practical use for the lessons: 'Special discounts at market-places are some common things that one must really understand. Now I know that I must not miss words like æaanbiedingÆ or ægoedkoopÆ when I go to the market.'
Various Dutch students have volunteered to take lessons for advanced learners. The lessons basically involve conversations in Dutch with the students about day-to-day issues. Whenever needed, they also pay attention to grammar with the help of some standard books. One of these student-teachers is Martijn van Raaij. Martijn: 'I find the experience very interesting because I get to know different kinds of people from the world and it is fun to talk about our language and society to them. It can also be a very confronting mirror to our weird ways.'
Pramod, a student at these conversation classes comments: 'This is a good practice as one doesn't lose touch of the language. After taking upintensive courses, there should be some way of continuing the process and this is really the best way.' Alpers concurs, 'The small size of the groups (3-4) make this more like an informal meeting than a regular class. Secondly, it is good that we learn directly from a Dutchman.'
At the moment, all beginners' classes are full. There are, however, still places in the conversation lessons. Those interested can contact Theo van der Genugten at [email protected].
