The power of language

Early years education

A toddler (aged 2 to 4) can attend a playgroup offering pre-school education. There, their skills in language, numeracy, fine motor skills and social-emotional development are given extra support. Referrals are made via the Centre for Youth and Family.

Language classes

Children (aged 4 and 5) who are already attending primary school may find their development hindered if they do not speak and/or understand Dutch sufficiently. They can then take part in the Language Class. These extra lessons help them to improve their command of the Dutch language. Within the education system, there are a number of primary schools that have a language class attached to them.

In Apeldoorn, more than 11,000 residents aged between 16 and 65 have low literacy skills. This means they struggle with language, but often also with digital skills and/or numeracy. We refer to these as basic skills. This applies to both residents for whom Dutch is their first language (NT1 speakers) and those for whom Dutch is a second language (NT2 speakers).

Adult residents can take part free of charge in a wide range of courses and training programmes designed to help them develop their basic skills. In the regional plan on low literacy and the local implementation plan ‘The Power of Language’, we have identified five themes:

• work
• education
• (financial) self-reliance
• health
• parental involvement

Courses

In Apeldoorn, we offer a wide range of (free) courses, training programmes and activities for adults who are not required to undertake the integration programme but who wish to improve their basic skills:

• Formal language courses, which lead to a qualification and can serve as a stepping stone to another course. TopTaal runs these courses; see: www.toptaal.nl/nederlands-leren-apeldoorn/
• Courses in the areas of language and employment, (financial) self-reliance, health, parental involvement and/or digital skills. These are run by various organisations.
• Support from language buddies.

The Language Centre

Residents who wish to improve their basic language skills can contact the Taalhuis. There, they will have an initial consultation during which a Taalhuis teacher will discuss which course is best suited to them and how they can enrol. This could be a course at the Taalhuis, but also at TopTaal or one of the other organisations in the city.

The Language Centre:

• provides advice on where residents in Apeldoorn can learn Dutch;
• offers language lessons in small groups or one-to-one with a language coach;
• teaches digital skills in small groups or one-to-one with a digital coach;
• provides one-to-one maths tuition with a maths tutor;
• has a book club specifically for newcomers;
• is organising a guided tour of the CODA Museum especially for newcomers;
• maintains an extensive collection of textbooks on Dutch as a second language;
• trains volunteers and supports them in their work by offering advice and practical assistance.

For further information or to register, please see: https://www.coda-apeldoorn.nl/nl/bibliotheek/taalhuis-apeldoorn.

Other offers

In addition to the services offered by the council, there are also other organisations in the city that provide language activities. Sometimes they ask for a small contribution. The Taalhuis is familiar with what’s on offer and can advise residents on a course that suits them. Residents can, of course, also contact these organisations directly.

Language skills are also being developed through the ‘Apeldoorn werkt mee’ initiative and the integration programme.

Tailor-made programmes

In consultation with the local council, bespoke programmes for groups can also be arranged. Please contact Top Language, where further coordination with the local council will then take place. This is subject to funds still being available. The budget is set annually.