Language

Nearly all Dutch people speak good English, and if they hear you speak Dutch with a foreign accent, they will probably turn to English immediately! Nevertheless, learning some of the local language is highly recommended. It will help you to settle in, and the locals will appreciate that you have made the effort!

To get official recognition of your Dutch language skills (in order to work for instance) you must follow a course that offers exams within the NT2 (Dutch as a Second Language) structure. This is administered by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.

Eindhoven Library

Next to the available books, newspapers, ebooks and so on there are plenty of events for Internationals, such as free Language café, Reading Pier collection for kids and storytelling, Makers Club (7-13 years) and Makers Space (13 years and up, also adults), eating together monthly, Language Referral, and Free legal advice (Jureka). Children’s memberships are free, students receive a 20% discount on membership fees.

The International Children’s Book Collection consist also of English, Italian, Chinese, French, Romanian, Bulgarian, Persian, Polish, Ukranian books. Later this year also: Indian, Spanish, Korean and Turkish books. For more information and dates/times please check: www.bibliotheekeindhoven.nl/english

Other cities also have language cafés and international events in their libraries.

Language Café at the Eindhoven Library

Learning the Dutch language by putting it into practice, that is the idea behind the language café. Do you find it a bit difficult to have a conversation in Dutch? Does the idea of practicing speaking Dutch with others appeal to you? In small groups (of at most five persons and a volunteer) you will discuss all kinds of subjects. A visit to the supermarket, a parent meeting at school, a birthday visit to a neighbor- everything can be a topic of conversation. Sessions take place on Thursday mornings, in the Eindhoven Library in the Witte Dame, from 10:30-12:00. Join us!

The Reading Pier

Launched in 2018, The Reading Pier is Eindhoven’s first English library for children. Started as an initiative by two moms in search of English books for their own children, the project quickly grew within the international community to become a small library. Its mission is to promote English literacy for all children. Looking for English books for your kids? Then drop by The Reading Pier’s youth department of the Eindhoven Library (in the Witte Dame). There are weekly English story telling sessions for kids on Wednesdays at the

Eindhoven Library: 10:30 for 0-4 years-olds / 4:00 for 4-10 year-olds

TheReadingPier thereadingpier@gmail.com

Language café

In a relaxed atmosphere and while enjoying a cup of coffee / tea, participants can practice speaking the Dutch language in small groups under the guidance of our language coaches (online registration: www.humanitas.nl/afdeling/eindhoven/ activiteiten/meedoen-in-de-wijken/). Time: Every Friday morning from 10.15 - 11.30 am.

Humanitas building (Zernikestraat 11-13, Eindhoven)

+31 (0)40 206 53 50 meedoenindewijken@humanitas.nl www.humanitas.nl/afdeling/eindhoven/

Taalkracht Eindhoven

Veldhoven Library has a Chinese children’s book zone. They have more than 200 Chinese books for children ages 1-6. They also organize storytelling sessions in Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Turkish, and Italian. For more information go to: www.bibliotheekveldhoven.nl/actueel/ jeugd.html

Humanitas

Humanitas ‘Meedoen in de Wijken’ (Participating in the Neighborhoods) helps Eindhoven residents of foreign descent to improve their Dutch so that they can actively participate in society. Voluntary language coaches support Eindhoven residents of foreign origin in learning or improving the Dutch language. Participants can follow language support for six months to even a whole year; either in an individual process or in a group. Language groups are composed on the basis of level and district.

Taalkracht can help you to get a better place in society. Taalkracht organizes courses for everyone from the age of 18. You can contact us if you want to learn to read, write, speak or understand (better) Dutch. The following details apply to the courses:

● The courses are offered on behalf of the municipalities in South-East Brabant under the Education and Vocational Education Act (WEB). These courses are free for the participants.

● If you are obliged to integrate, you are not allowed to participate in the free offer.

● The duration of the course depends on the starting level.

● The courses are both during the day and in the evening, close to home as much as possible.

● You can always start in a school year.

● There are no classes during the school holidays.

● Lessons once a week for 3 hrs.

Lesson locations

The locations of Ster College are at de Blécourtstraat 1 and Willem de Rijkelaan 3 in Eindhoven. Ster College also offers lessons in a number of regional municipalities and at various primary schools in Eindhoven (online registration).

+31 (0)40 269 44 44 info@taalkracht.nl www.taalkracht.nl

Blixembosch International Community

Blixembosch had its first meeting with expats in November 2019. The 25 attendees discussed the needs for contact with Dutch residents to practice the Dutch language. The result is a monthly language cafe where people can meet and talk in Dutch in an informal atmosphere.

Both a morning and an evening session are planned to take place monthly at the VTA Building (Overture 2).

Participation is free, but registration by email is required: blixemboschcommunity@gmail.com. Find more information follow the Blixembosch International Community page on Facebook.