Meet Jorinde, Dutch teacher

I've always been fascinated by health, sports, and lifestyle. Now I teach Dutch in the Nutrition and Lifestyle Advisor program. It's exactly where I wish I had been. Because if this program had existed earlier, I definitely would have chosen it.

I combine my love of language with my passion for health. Because, let's be honest, many students don't think Dutch is the most fun subject. I understand that. I often hear, "Didn't we already go through this in high school?" That's why I make sure that what we do is directly related to the profession my students are training for. For example, they might write a blog post about a recipe they develop themselves. Or they might practice giving a pitch for a project on lifestyle interventions. I look at the assignments they do in other subjects and try to connect Dutch to them. This way, I make the theory from my lessons immediately applicable.

I have a clear structure in my lessons. I always start with the study guide: what did we do last week, where did we leave off? We briefly review and look ahead together, and then we get to work. And no, my classes are never completely silent. There's room for laughter, chatting, or talking about your weekend. At the same time, I'm also clear: this is what needs to be done today. Students know what's expected of them, and that works well.

I find the connection with my students incredibly important. That's why I often start with a chat: simply asking how things are going or what's on their minds. This way, I ensure they feel seen and create a safe environment. It's not just about learning, but also about truly connecting.

Sometimes I challenge students to go the extra mile. For example, one of my classes once entered a competition organized by the Prince Bernhard Culture Fund. They had to translate from Dutch to English or vice versa, and they won! One of the participants was Flemming, then unknown and now a well-known artist. It just goes to show what can happen when you challenge your students. At Summa, I also get the opportunity to grow. Through the Talent Ambition Journey, I'm working on flexible and personalized learning paths for Dutch. That's what makes me happy: education that suits you, whoever you are.

In addition to her studies, Julieta is committed to inspiring prospective students to study at Summa. "I give presentations, facilitate open evenings, and visit pre-vocational secondary schools. Many students don't know exactly what a service-related degree entails. I enjoy giving them a realistic understanding of this and showing them the opportunities they have in the business world later on."

Curious which program is right for you? Come find out what suits you best at Summa's information evening on Thursday, March 20th. Check out our activity calendar.