Collaboration between Taalkracht and ASML: Luiza learns Dutch – and finds her dream job

Taalkracht is tackling a monumental task. The educational institution—part of Summa—is training 800 adults whose native language isn't Dutch to language level B1. This takes place over 40 weeks, in approximately 55 groups. The intensive program is now halfway through. The participants are highly motivated. "I finally have the work I want to do."

Luiza is from Brazil. She's been living in the Netherlands for three years. She's an architect but couldn't find a job in her field here. Her resume was good, with eight years of experience in Brazil. But she didn't speak Dutch. She signed up with Taalkracht to learn Dutch, but was put on a waiting list. "I found work at a webshop for phone parts, but that wasn't what I wanted. When Taalkracht called me to say I could start the course, I was thrilled.

Taalkracht's ability to suddenly train an additional 800 adults to language level B1 is thanks to ASML. The computer chip machine manufacturer recognized that many people in the Eindhoven region are eager to work, but that language is often a barrier. Therefore, the company is funding the course for 800 of these individuals. This allowed Taalkracht to finally offer placements to many people on the waiting list. "We had to arrange everything quickly," says instructor Ilse Korthouwer. "Instructors, participants, locations, schedules, course materials, you name it. We succeeded; we're well on our way."

The participants receive lessons twice a week for 40 weeks. A lesson lasts 2 hours. They learn according to the Delft method. Ilse: “The focus is on speaking and listening. During the lesson, the students talk a lot with each other. That way, they learn quickly. They continue practicing at home, 1,5 or 2 hours per lesson. They practice online, including pronunciation – the computer checks whether they say a word correctly. We start each lesson with a short test to see whether the student understands how to use the words.”

Luiza enjoys the classes. "It's fun and we laugh a lot." The Brazilian already speaks Dutch quite well, especially considering she didn't speak a word a few months ago. Speaking Dutch has completely changed her life, she says. "Because I already speak a little Dutch and am taking the course, I'm now an architectural draftsman at a company in Deurne. I'm finally doing the work I love."

According to Ilse, Luiza is no exception. "The students are very eager to learn Dutch. Because they know: if I speak Dutch, I have a better chance of finding work. Some have already had to stop the course because they found jobs elsewhere in the country." This also means there's room for more people on the waiting list. "We're now halfway through the program. The students have progressed from language level 0 to A2. Now they're moving on to B1."