The Ukrainian refugees from Huizen are working hard to master the Dutch language. They do this with the help of ‘language buddies’. They have now completed thirty lessons. Not everyone can already pronounce a sentence in that strange language, but there is still nothing wrong with the motivation. “I just want to speak the language of the country where I live,” says Ukrainian Marina.
A gigantic space in the former hotel Newport is filled with nine women from Ukraine and three language buddies. The theater hall in combination with the number of people feels a bit chilly at the beginning, but you soon realize that much more is happening here than just learning the Dutch language. “It’s actually a few hours of relaxation,” explains language buddy Wiebe Nauta.
Wiebe sits at a table with three participants he had never met a year ago. In fact, they didn’t expect to be here either. “They just showed pictures from their Christmas party last year in Ukraine. Emotionally, of course, but the fact that they want and can share this with me shows the value of these lessons.”
Motivated
The group of Ukrainian women who took the language class was once much larger. “My group started with eight people”, says language buddy Anneke van Dalfsen. “After three weeks, four were already working and now I have four left.” According to Anneke, it outlines the will of this group of refugees to pick up their lives again. “My motivation is that I want to be part of Dutch society,” confirms the Ukrainian Marina.
Curious what such a lesson looks like? Watch the video below.
Language lessons in Houses for Ukrainian refugees are still going ahead – NH News
For example, the language lesson is a great springboard for someone like Marina to learn Dutch as quickly as possible. “Good morning, my name is Marina and I live in Huizen, a very beautiful village,” she says proudly in Dutch.
“They keep asking me if they can do something for me in return”
But at another table the enormous social function becomes apparent. “She is very hard of hearing,” says language buddy Mieke Janse, who is with two older Ukrainian ladies. Not much Dutch is spoken yet, but their gratitude for the hour and a half of lessons a week is enormous. “They keep asking me if they can do something for me in return,” laughs Mieke. “Now they’re coming to set up my Christmas tree at my house soon.”
After thirty lessons, the volunteers Anneke, Wiebe and Mieke are certainly not done yet. “This is also a daytime activity for me”, Wiebe laughs. “If someone can start working at a bakery and speak Dutch because of our lessons, I am very proud,” concludes Anneke.
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