Making Use of Linguistic Diversity in Dutch Education

Abstract Book of the 10th International Conference on New Approaches in Education

Year: 2025

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Making Use of Linguistic Diversity in Dutch Education

Karin Westerbeek

ABSTRACT:

Virtually all schools, vocational training colleges and early childhood education providers in the Netherlands encounter children or adolescents who speak a language other than Dutch at home. The Education Council advises making better use of this linguistic diversity. Making use of pupil’s first languages can help them learn in and about Dutch. This does require that schools, colleges and early years providers set out in their language policies a strategy for pupils for whom Dutch is not their first language. And it requires investment in the support, training and further professionalisation of educational staff, for example by creating a central expertise platform or providing materials and technological support.
[This Education Council advisory report was issued last month. It was requested by the Dutch Minister of Education. To further spread the recommendations among schools and teachers, it would be very useful to discuss with participants from other countries/school systems. A poster presentation may be the best option?

Keywords: Home Language Education; Linguistic Diversity; Translanguaging.