Northern French children learn Dutch through play

A Flemish delegation visited a school there this morning, where even toddlers are already learning some Dutch. A good example, say the Flemish, that deserves more imitation.

Six hours of Dutch per week

The children of this primary school in Rosendaël near Dunkirk receive six hours of lessons per week in Dutch. This can even be done during a math or history lesson, but always in a playful manner.

Deborah Dequidt from Alain Savary Rosendaël primary school: “It’s like a kind of game for the children. They really like to do it. They really enjoy it. It also comes with English. So it’s the first other language they learn. It’s a little play for the children.”

(read more below the photo)

Inspiration

Dunkirk also offers Dutch lessons and workshops for adults. A number of Flemish organizations, such as the Dutch Language Union and the European Grouping for Territorial Cooperation, visit to gain inspiration.

Peter Roose of the European Grouping for Territorial Cooperation: “We come to gain inspiration because we are thinking about a project along the language and national border, West Flanders and Northern France, to provide language initiation for children aged 7 to 8 years. to give: French on the Flemish side and Dutch on the French side.”

More connectedness

Initiatives like these should improve language skills. But they must also ensure greater solidarity.

“That is absolutely important, especially in this border region,” says Gaetan Poelman of the Belgian Embassy. “It is important that we know each other’s language at least a little. The more knowledge there is of the neighboring language, the better, of course. For tourist exchange, cultural cooperation, but of course also for opportunities afterwards on the labor market.”

From next month it will also be possible to take a Dutch course for beginners at the University of Dunkirk.