Invest in employees language skills

IKEA, PostNL, HEMA, and Lidl are just a few examples of companies investing in Dutch in the workplace. Why? The Dutch labor market is becoming increasingly tight, and the need to hire non-Dutch-speaking staff is becoming increasingly unavoidable.

Why Dutch in the workplace?
As a company, with Dutch language training in the workplace, you invest not only in the employee (they learn to speak Dutch with colleagues and customers) but also in the company (employees can reach their full potential). Of course, workplace safety (especially when working with machines) is only achievable with clear and effective communication.

Good Dutch in the workplace language training
The common misconception is that you simply offer a language course for the non-Dutch-speaking employee and that solves the communication problem. Why? A language instructor offers general/formal Dutch during language training. This means that employees learn to construct proper sentences, engage in daily conversations, and communicate simply in writing.

Effective Dutch language training in the workplace, however, is offered by a specialized language instructor in collaboration with a Dutch-speaking employee. Why? This employee knows the jargon and work processes used within the organization. And that's precisely what we want to add to Dutch language training in the workplace.

The course materials
Providing professional language is a skilled job! That's why several teaching methods are now available that offer (sector-)specific working language.

General:

  • Vakgesprekken
  • Spreektaal 3 – ‘Werk’
  • Taal werkt beter

Sector-specific:

  • Werktaalkit – Horeca, Logistiek, Schoonmaak, Verkoop
  • De werksleutel
  • Taal van de Zorg

Besides these excellent teaching methods, it's always possible to supplement the training with more company-specific language. And collaborating with a Dutch-speaking colleague is excellent for that!

 

Examples and inspiration
To get a better idea of Dutch in the workplace, you can watch the videos "Medewerkers PostNL leren Nederlands op de werkvloer" and "Taalbuddy's op het werk – IKEA".
The "Stichting Het Begint met Taal" also offers the "TaalBuddy’s op het werk" website. Would you also like to inform your colleagues about the possibilities? Then download the white paper "Taal oefenen op het werk".

Language Subsidy
If your employee is employed through a temporary employment agency, "Doorzaam" may offer the option of a language subsidy for your employee. If you have any questions about this, please contact the relevant agency.



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