MIjn Spreekbeurt (Cultuurschok)

Spreekbeurt means 'speech' in English. In our Dutch class, our docent, Jeanneke, asked us to make our own spreekbeurt and present in the class every Thursday. So I was scheduled yesterday, April 12, to present my spreekbeurt. Two weeks ago, still I didn't know what I should present in the class. I searched in the internet what nice subject I could talk about. I didn't want to do the same topic what others spoke in the class such as the informations and foods from your own country. I was thinking before to speak about the Philippine culture but my Filipino classmate was already shared it in the class so I needed to think different topic that could catch up the attention of my listeners. The first topics that came into my mind were Badminton and Diabetes. Badminton was one of my hobbies so I could explain the rules and how to play it. I had also background knowledge about Diabetes which I acquired it while I was studying Nursing. I asked Dennis and his father if these topics could hold one's attention. They were both agree to think more other topics and suggested to share about the culture of Philippines but it's not possible 'coz it was already chosen. 

While reading some articles in some blogs, I found the word, Culture shock (Cultuurschok in Dutch) and searched more informations about it. When I  apprehended with this word, I realized that I was also experienced it and thought that it was nice to share it in the class. Maybe my classmates would appreciate it because we were all foreigners and maybe they were also experienced it when they moved here in The Netherlands.  So last week I tried to make my speech through mixing the informations that I found in the internet and my own experience with the culture shock. I asked Dennis to correct my grammar because I knew that my grammar was not yet perfect. I also practiced to speak in the front of Dennis so I would not be  nervous when I would stand in the front of the class. 

So yesterday, everything happened smoothly. In the first few seconds, I felt little bit nervous and my voice was thrilling but when I breathed in deeply, I felt relax and gained my confidence. So I think  I made it perfectly (not so perfect, but still... :p).  

Here is mijn  spreekbeurt entitled, "CULTUURSCHOK".

Goede morgen! Mijn spreekbeurt gaat over de cultuurschok. Ik heb voor dit onderwerp gekozen, omdat ik weet dat allemaal hier uit een ander land komen en misschien je hebt iets van een cultuurschok meegemaakt. Dus ik wil dit onderwerp meer uitleggen en deel mijn eigen ervaring in overwinnen van het cultuur schok, toen ik besloot om hier in Nederland te komen wonen.

Wat is een cultuurschok? 

Buitenlanders hebben verschillende reden waaroom zij nog steeds in Nederland wonen. Sommige mensen komen naar Nederland om samen met hun partner te leven of om te trouwen. Sommige mensen hebben een baan in Nederland gevonden of ze willen een hogere studie volgen. Sommige mensen komen, omdat hun familie al in Nederland woont. Andere mensen komen naar Nederland, omdat ze vluchten voor de oorlog in hun eigen land.

Als iemand in een ander land gaat wonen, wordt alles anders. De mensen leven anders. Je begrijpt de mensen niet en zij begrijpen je niet. Je voelt je alleen. Het klimaat is anders. De meeste mensen vinden Nederland koud en nat. De taal is anders en het is moeilijk om de taal goed te leren. Het eten is anders. Geld, papieren, huizen etc. Je diploma is in Nederland niet altijd geldig. Je kunt vaak in jouw oude beroep geen werk vinden. Soms zijn er weinig landgenoten in de buurt. Je mist je familie, vrienden en collega’s in jouw eigen land.

Dit is de korte uitleg van een cultuurschok. Maar wat is de diep betekenis van een cultuurschok?

Het was de Finse antropoloog Kalvero Oberg die de term voor het eerst gebruikte in de jaren ’60. Een cultuurschok is de “morele desoriëntatie door confrontatie met een normensysteem dat totaal van het eigen systeem afwijkt ”. Een cultuurschok wordt veroorzaakt door het verlies van alle vertrouwde symbolen, handelingen, gewoontes,… die de basis vormen voor de manier waarop we ons oriënteren in dagdagelijkse situaties. Het gaat dan om basiskenmerken van cultuur, zoals taal, religie, kunst, waarden, voeding,… Het verlies van dit houvast kan een gevoel van hulpeloosheid, onzekerheid en emotionele stress veroorzaken. Hij maakte een mode over die cultuurschok and noemde he, U curve model.

Volgens dit model zijn er vier stadia of fases in de cultuurschok. Deze fases zijn niet lineair, en niet iedereen gaat door elke fase. Bovendien is het mogelijk eenzelfde fase verschillende keren te beleven. 

In het eerste stadium, ‘De wittebroodsfase of honeymoon phase in het Engels’ (die ongeveer drie maanden duurt): gekenmerkt door euforie (Euforie- intense feeling of happiness , gevoel van bijzondere vrolijkheid). In deze fase is alles geweldig. Optimisme overheerst en kleine problemen worden met de glimlach onthaald. De culture verschillen worden nog als romantisch, interessant, en verrijkend ervaren. Situaties worden aanvaard zoals ze zich aandienen. Dit is de fase waarin we ons doorgaans bevinden waneer we op vakantie zijn en het verblijf is meestal niet lang genoeg om over te gaan naar de volgende fase.

De tweede fase is De Onderhandelingsfase/ Negotiation Phase treedt op waneer al het spannend, zijn initiële glans verloren heeft. Plots is de nieuwe omgeving niet meer zo perfect en de realiteit dient zich aan in een confrontatie met minder fraaie kantjes van de nieuwe omgeving. We komen in een crisistoestand terecht… In deze fase overheersen irritatie, frustratie, verwarring en ook teleurstelling in de nieuwe cultuur. Hoe groter het verschil tussen de nieuwe cultuur en die van het thuisland, hoe groter de schok zal zijn. 

Symptomen van een cultuur schok zijn eenzaamheid, extreem heimwee, angst, spanning, verwarring over eigen identiteit en zelfs depressiviteit kunnen ervaren. 

Wie lange tijd in het buitenland verbleven heeft voor werk of studies, kan bij terugkeer naar het thuisland een gelijkaardige cultuurschok ervaren en veel moeite ondervinden om opnieuw een plaats te vinden in een cultuur die niet langer als eigen ervaren wordt. 

In de derde fase, Aanpassing/Adjustment phase, probeert de cultuurmigrant zich aan te passen. Na enige tijd (meestal 6 tot 12 maanden) hebben we ons gewend aan de nieuwe cultuur. Wij weten wat te verwachten in de meeste situaties en het gastland niet meer voelen al dat nieuw. Alles wordt terug naar normaal. Wij ontwikkelen ons om het probleem in de omgang met de cultuur op te lossen en accepteren de manieren van de nieuwe cultuur met positieve houding. De cultuur begint betekenis te krijgen en de negatieve reacties over de cultuur worden verminderd.

De Intergratie of de Mastery Phase, de vierde fase: We erkennen dat de nieuwe cultuur heel wat te bieden heeft en ontwikkelen een eigen cultuur waarvan beide culturen iets inzit. We aanvaarden de cultuur, maken er deel van uit en nemen de gewoonten er uit over. Niet iedereen bereikt deze fase.

Voor mij, wist ik niet wat cultuurschok betekende maar toen ik een onderwerp voor mij spreekbeurt gezocht heb. Ik vond dit woord en bedacht ik me dat ik ook op deze fasen heb ondergaan. De eerste, de Honeymoon phase ervoer ik, toen ik vorig jaar in 2010 hier in Nederland op vakantie had. Ik vond hier alles prachtig. De natuur, de mensen, de molen, de fietsen, de klompen, de kaas, de Tulips… alles is super behalve de weer. Mijn lichaam schokte met de koudere temperatuur hier want ik kwam uit tropische land waar gekenmerkt door een hoge temperatuur, onderdrukkende luchtvochtigheid en veel regenval. Maar toch heb ik me aan het weer aangepast door het dragen van meerdere lagen en warm kleiding. Ook de Nederlandse gerechten vond ik lekker. Vooral mijn eerste gerecht dat ik hier probeerde, 'de boerenkool stampot met rookworst'. 

Ik kwam vorig juli 2011 terug hier. Op dat moment, heb ik de tweede fase gelopen waar ik me eenzaam voelde en ik heb mijn familie en vrienden in Filippijn gemist. Mij moeder was ook erg eenzaam want zij misde me, haar enige dochter. Door de skpe en facebook kan ik gemakkelijk communiceren met hun en het vermindert mijn heimwee. Soms voel ik me ook gesfrusteerd. Vroeger dacht ik dat het makkelijk was om hier te leven. Maar nu ben ik al hier en weet ik niet hoe ik kan om mijn leven hier te beginnen. Vrienden maken, Nederlands leren en baan zoeken… Alles is lastig voor mij maar door de liefde en steun van mijn vriend en familie,weet ik dat ik al deze strijd in mijn leven kan overwinnen .

Nu woon ik bijna negen maanden hier in Almere and denk dat ik in de Aanpassing fase zit. Ik ga nu naar school om Nederlands te leren en ik heb nu vrienden hier in Nederland. Ik speel hier ook in Badminton Club hier in Almere samen met mijn vriend en zijn vader.  Ik begon om mij te mengen met andere mensen hier op de badminton vereniging. Ik hoop dat ik de cultuur en taal van Nederland zo snel mogelijk beheers.  Ik denk dat je de cultuurschok kunt beheersen door leer de taal, leer over het land, geduld en respect, wees voorbereid op een cultuurschok, blijf in contact met familie en vrienden, blijf jezelf en maak contact met de lokale bevolking om je vertrouwd te maken met specifieke omgangsvormen (bij. Via het werk, school, de buren, een sportclub, het verenegingsleven). 

Bedankt voor het luisteren. 

Here is the English version of my Spreekbeurt. I used the Google Translator to translate it easily so the grammar is not perfectly fit.

Good morning! My speech is about the culture shock. I have chosen this subject because I know that all here from another country and maybe you have something of a culture shock experienced. So I want this topic to explain and share my own experience in overcoming the culture shock, when I decided to come and live here in the Netherlands.

What is a culture shock?

Foreigners have different reason why they still live in the Netherlands. Some people come to the Netherlands to live with their partner or to get marry. Some people have found a job in the Netherlands if they want to follow higher studies. Some people come because their family has lived in the Netherlands. Other people come to the Netherlands because they are fleeing war in their own country.

If someone lives in other country, then everything will become different. People live differently. You don't understand them and they don't understand you. You feel alone. The climate is different. Most people find cold and wet Netherlands. The language is different and it is difficult to learn the language well. The food is different. Money, paper, houses etc. Your diploma is not always valid in the Netherlands. You can't find a work similar to your old job. Sometimes you can't find someone from your country to your neighbourhood. You miss your family, friends and colleagues in your own country.

This is the short explanation of a culture shock. But what is the deep meaning of a culture shock?

It was the Finnish anthropologist Oberg Kalvero that the term first used in the 60s. A culture shock is the "moral disorientation through confrontation with a standard system that is totally different from their own system." A culture shock is caused by the loss of all the familiar symbols, actions, habits, ... which form the basis for the way we orient ourselves in everyday situations. These are basic characteristics of culture, like language, religion, art, values, food ... The loss of this guidance, a sense of helplessness, uncertainty and emotional stress. He made a model about culture shock and named it, U curve model. 

According this model, there are four stages or phases of culture shock. These phases are not linear, and not everyone goes through each stage. It is also possible to experience the same stage several times.

In the first stage, The wittebroodsfase or honeymoon phase in English (which lasts about three months): characterized by euphoria (a feeling of intense euphoria, happiness, feeling special glee). At this stage everything is great. Optimism prevails and small problems are greeted with a smile. The cultural differences are still as romantic, interesting and enriching experience. Situations are accepted as they arise. This is the stage where we usually are When we are on vacation and residence is usually not long enough to proceed to the next stage.

The second phase is De Onderhandelingsfase/ Negotiation Phase: occurs when all the exciting, has lost its initial glow. Suddenly the new environment is not as perfect and reality presents itself in a confrontation with the less attractive sides of the new environment. We come into a state of crisis right ... In this phase dominate irritation, frustration, confusion and disappointment in the new culture. The greater the difference between the new culture and that of the homeland, the greater the impact will be.

Symptoms of culture shock loneliness, extreme homesickness, anxiety, tension, confusion about their identity and even depression can experience.Who long have stayed abroad for work or studies, may return to the homeland and a similar culture shock experienced great difficulty in finding another place in a culture that no longer own experienced.

In the third phase, Aanpassing / Adjustment phase, the culture migrant trying to adapt. After some time (usually 6 to 12 months) we have used to the new culture. We know what to expect in most situations and the host does not feel all that new. Everything is back to normal. We develop the problem in dealing with the culture to resolve and accept the ways of the new culture with positive attitude. The culture starts to make sense and the negative comments about the culture can be reduced.

The Integration or the Mastery Phase, the fourth phase: We recognize that the new culture has much to offer and develop their own culture, something which both cultures in it. We accept the culture, are part of the habits and take it over. Not everyone reaches this stage.

For me, I did not know what culture shock means but when I was looking a topic for my speech. I found this word and I remembered that I also have to undergo these phases. The first, the Honeymoon phase I experienced when I was last year here in the Netherlands in 2010 was on vacation. I found everything beautiful. The nature, people, the mill, the bikes, wooden shoes, cheese, tulips ... everything is great except the weather. My body shocked with the cold temperatures here since I came from tropical country characterized by high temperatures, oppressive humidity and rainfall. But yet I've adapted to the weather by wearing several layers of warm clothes. The Dutch cuisine, I found delicious. Especially my first dish I tried here, "boerenkool smashed potatoes with smoked sausage.

I came back here last July 2011. At that time, I walked the second phase where I felt lonely and I need my family and friends in the Filipino missed. My mother was very lonely because she misses me, her only daughter. Via skpe and facebook, I can easily communicate with them and it reduces my homesickness. Sometimes I feel frustration. I used to think it was easy to live here. But now I'm already here and I do not know how I can start my life here. Make friends, learn Dutch and job search ... Everything is difficult for me but by the love and support of my friend and family, I know that I have this fight in my life can be overcome.

Now I live here in Almere almost nine months and I think in the adjustment phase. I'm going to school to learn Dutch and I have friends here in the Netherlands. I play here in Badminton Club here in Almere with my boyfriend and his father. I started to make me mix with other people here on the badminton association. I hope that the culture and language of the Netherlands as soon as possible management. I think that the culture shock can control by learning the language, learn about the country, patience and respect, be prepared for a culture shock, keep in touch with family and friends, be yourself and connect with local people to familiarize you specific manners (bij. Through work, school, neighbors, sports club, organizations).

Thanks for listening.

B1 for Lezen

This morning, our docent(teacher), Jeanneke, gave us a test(toets) to check what level are we now in Dutch. She already told us regarding this last week but still, we felt anxious because we didn't prepare for this exam. We felt also excitement because we wanted also to see how far we went through in learning Dutch. It was nice way to check if we were good enough or we need to study hard more. Jeanneke gave us first the Reading Exam(Lezen Toets) which contained 20 questions. She asked us to answer it for 45 min.- 1 hour. There were some texts that contained two or three questions,. Mostly of the questions were multiple choice which pushed you to use your critical thinking. There was one schema that you needed to fill in based on the texts .

I find the exam difficult because of the time pressure and a lot of words that I need to look the meaning in the dictionary. Using dictionary consumes your time too so I try to understand the questions well without using it and search the answers in hasty ways. I'm so happy that in spite of complexities of some words, I got a B1 score for my Reading toets. I'm not really expecting this score because my Dutch is not really good enough. But still, this signals me that I'm getting better and can even more better if I will study hard and practice more in Dutch. I had no idea when Jeanneke would give the left three toets but I would try to make myself ready for this exams so I can get the same score with the Readding toets or more. 

In order for us to have diplomas in all four exams of Staastexamen Programma I, we need to reach the level B1 or B1+ in reading(lezen), listening(luisteren), writing(schrijven) and speaking(spreken) exams. This levels are based on Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

According to the Wikipedia, the Common European Framework divides learners into three broad divisions which can be divided into six levels:

A Basic User

A1 Breakthrough or beginner

A2 Waystage or elementary

B Independent User

B1 Threshold or intermediate

B2 Vantage or upper intermediate

C Proficient User

C1 Effective Operational Proficiency or advanced

C2 Mastery or proficiency

The CEFR describes what a learner is supposed to be able to do in reading, listening, speaking and writing at each level.

A1  - Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help

A2 -  Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

B1 -  Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

B2 -  Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

C1 -  Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

C2 -  Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations.

Niveaus volgens de (oude) NT2 niveauaanduiding  

 

Er zijn volgens de oude aanduiding vijf NT2-niveaus. U leest hier wat een cursist moet kunnen deze niveaus.

NT2-niveau 1
U begrijpt korte zinnen en woorden. U kunt ze gebruiken op bekende plaatsen en in bekende situaties. Bijvoorbeeld in de winkel, bij uw kinderen op school of op uw werk. U kunt een klein beetje praten en verstaan, lezen en schrijven. U hebt wel vaak hulp nodig met moeilijke woorden. Soms begrijpt u een paar woorden uit een moeilijke zin. Bijvoorbeeld een naam of de tijd. U kunt op een formulier uw naam en adres en andere bekende gegevens invullen.

NT2-niveau 2
U kunt korte gesprekken voeren in bekende situaties. Soms moet iemand u helpen. Maar u begrijpt het meeste wel. U kunt vragen stellen en antwoorden geven in het Nederlands. U kunt makkelijk praten over onderwerpen waar u meer van afweet. Soms moet u vragen of mensen langzaam willen praten. De meeste onderwerpen van het nieuws op radio en tv begrijpt u. U kunt korte, duidelijke teksten lezen. U kunt korte briefjes schrijven.

NT2-niveau 3
U kunt gemakkelijk met Nederlanders praten. Bijvoorbeeld om te vragen hoe het met iemand gaat. U kunt gemakkelijk afspraken maken of iets uitleggen. In korte zinnen maakt u niet veel fouten. U kent belangrijke zinnen en kunt die goed gebruiken. Als u moet spreken in moeilijke situaties maakt u fouten. Toch begrijpen mensen wat u bedoelt. U begrijpt belangrijke zaken en details van radio en televisieprogramma’s. U kunt korte teksten zonder veel fouten schrijven. Dit wordt gemakkelijker als de teksten vaak terugkomen. Bijvoorbeeld voor uw opleiding of werk.

NT2-niveau 4
U kunt goed privé-gesprekken en zakelijke gesprekken voeren. U spreekt gemakkelijk over praktische zaken, maar ook over zaken voor uw werk. U gebruikt veel verschillende woorden en zinnen. U maakt weinig fouten. Radio- en tv-programma’s kunt u goed volgen. Zeker als er duidelijk gesproken wordt. U begrijpt moeilijke teksten met veel informatie. U begrijpt ook moeilijke teksten over uw vak. U kunt ook teksten voor uw opleiding of werk schrijven. Soms maakt u nog fouten in spelling en grammatica.

NT2- niveau 5
U kunt het Nederlands heel gemakkelijk begrijpen en gebruiken, ook de uitdrukkingen. U gebruikt het Nederlands bijna zoals u uw eigen taal gebruikt. U begrijpt verschillende soorten (moeilijke) teksten: teksten voor werk, opleiding en privé-leven. U kunt ook (bijna) correct schrijven.

Engaged With The New Dutch Class

In the beginning of the year 2012, Ttif Company conducted a new class in Staatsexamen Programma I with the teacher, Jeanneke. Me and my friend, Nanthicia invited us to attend this class. It was started last 10 January every Monday and Thursday  at 9-12am. The time of the new class was really appropriate with my schedule for the whole week so I could still do my part time job in the afternoon and some few household chores. Even I do really want to earn much money, I'd rather to choose a part time job so I could still have time to self-study. For now, most important is to learn Dutch because most of the employers here are prefer with those who can express themselves in Dutch fluently and also, to feel at ease in communicating with the Dutch people. Besides that, I'm looking forward to take the exam and pass it before the end of this year. So I hope I can have my diploma next year which is one of the requirements to be naturalize as a Dutch citizen or if you want to continue your studies here in the Netherlands. For me, I want to make it as soon as possible so I can have study Nursing in a Dutch way. I don't know if all of these can possible to make it but with my faith in God and to myself and also, the support of my special loved-ones, I do believe that I can make it!

My new class. Finally, I have time to write something to my blog after my busy days. It took few weeks before I can share about my new Dutch class. Holidays, part time job, Dutch course and quality time with my family and friends were the reasons why I did myself so busy. Like what I've said at the top of this post, we are now in a new Dutch class with a new teacher and new classmates(cursisten). Brunhilde asked me last December before the end of her contract if I wanted to transfer in this class. I was agreed with her and talked with Paul, the organiser of Ttif company Almere, regarding this. I knew that it would not be hard for me to adjust with the new class because we're going to start the lesson from our first chapter of our book and same level of Dutch with other cursisten.

My new docent. Jeanneke is our new teacher/docent. She is really good Dutch Instructor as well my first docent, Brunhilde. But I like more the teaching strategies of Jeanneke which she explains the lesson clearly and easy to understand. She does first explain the lesson and then, gives us oefening(exercise) regarding the lesson to check if we learn something from her. She always conducts activities that motivate you to speak Dutch and at the same time, to have fun.  So I will not have regrets if she will be my last teacher until I finish this course. But every teacher has own style way of teaching, so I don't want to forget also my first teacher, Brunhilde who was very good, nice docent and a big help for me to learn Dutch. Wherever she is now or whatever she is doing, I hope she is happy.

 My Dutch. After 6 months here in the Netherlands, I'm so happy to see my improvements in Dutch. I know more Dutch words now and understand well the Dutch Grammar. I can able now to construct a simple sentence, understand the simple Dutch conversation and speak in Dutch without hesitation to have mistakes.Whenever I try to speak Dutch,  I always keep on my mind the advice of my docent and some of our friends that I should not be scared to have mistakes. Besides, it's just normal with the foreigners to have mistakes in speaking with the foreign language. But still, I need to learn more and practice more in Dutch.

Extra Lesson for my Dutch!

A week after the Autumn Vacation(Herfst Vakantie), my docent, Bruhilde told me that I did great in our exams for the level of A0-A1 and gave me a score of A1+. She asked me if I wanted to transfer into higher level class which was in A1-A2 level or directly went to the class in Staatexamen.Of Course! I want to start as soon as possible in studying for Staatsexamen coz I don't want to waste our money and time in studying the low level of Dutch for the long time. I know that there are possibilities to learn the Dutch quickly like always practice speaking Dutch and studying hard by yourself. But it depends also to your capability to learn another language quickly. For me, I know that I'm not the smartest person  but I can do my best to learn it as much as I can and also through my patience, perseverance and eagerness to learn.

Unfortunately, I need to wait for the beginner class in the Staatexamen because all the classes there were already preparing for the exam. But Bruhilde suggested if I would like to attend an extra lesson that would focus more in Staatexamen. I considered it as a good idea while waiting to transfer me into NT2 class. But I should still to follow lessons in her class and I thought that there was no problem with that because I also learned new things from them. It was nice because it was one-on-one turorial with my teacher(Bruhilde) and would focus what I didn't know and understand. It would take for an hour and start at 2pm every Monday.

Welcome to Ttif!

When I arrived here in Holland, Dennis started to look for school which could give best teaching in Dutch Language Course. He was searching on the Internet and find some information regarding about this. We also heard from the Gemeente what school  here in Almere could offered nice course. The woman in the Gemeente told us that she heard some good points about the Ttif Company. So we decided to make appointment with Ttif Company. We scheduled today at 2pm and assigned to talk with Monique. All the information we needed to know were all supplied by Monique. She was so approachable and charming. She made sure that we felt comfortable in our conversation with her. She told us that in order for me to know what level I am in Dutch Language, I should take their Intake Gesprek, an exam would take for three hours, so they would know what group I should belong and it would cost  €250 for this exam (It's quite expensive!). We were thinking that it was not necessary for me to take this coz we were the one who would pay for my own course unlike before and it was not reasonable in paying more just for this. So Monique asked their boss what possible solution for this and what they could offer for me. It seemed like they were taking at risk as well as to me if they would place me directly to the NT2 group.You should have at least A2 level when you were going to take NT2 and they didn't know what level I am now. She advised us that they could put me in beginner's group where most were A1 going to A2 level and later on, they could transfer me into higher level if ever I could quickly adjust to the lessons. We agreed with that instead of  spending money for Intake Gesprek. Thus, we filled up the form and paid later for the course which cost €780 for three months. Monique also recommended to me that I could join on Brunhilde's class (A1 level) starting on Monday at 9-12 o'clock in the morning. She gave me a copy of their book wherein I could start studying by myself and easily adjust on their lessons.

Intake Gesprek In Gemeente

Living here in the Netherlands is not easy! But because I want to follow my "Love of my Life", therefore, I should learn how to imitate a Dutch woman. Meaning, I need to adapt the way of living here in the Netherlands especially learn the Dutch Language and Society. So yesterday, I had my appointment in the Gemeente here in our place to tackle about the Inburgering. We scheduled to be there around three in the afternoon, of course, we were not late even we parked the car little far from the centrum (free parking) and walked in going to the place of appointment. The woman in the Gemeente (Sorry, I forgot her name.) who nicely approached us and discussed all the concerns about Inburgering (Thanks, I understand what she's saying coz she spoke to me in English.). She told me that I'm obliged to take the Integration course and pass the Inburgering Exam within 3 and half years under the Dutch Law. Unfortunately, the law changed this year and we were necessitate to pay for my own course, unlike before the Gemeente would pay for it, but we had a chance that we could also loan in. DUO coz my study would cost around €2000-4000 so it was high-priced not as cheap that I was thinking. The woman in the Gemeente told me that because I passed the  "Toets Gesproken Nederlands" with the score of 38 (37 and above- exemption) which was one of  the components of Civic Integration Exam that I took in my own country, it was not necessary for me to take it again here in Netherlands. So I was exempted one exam but need to take the other exams such as the Kennis Nederlandse Samenleving, Elektronisch Praktijkexamen and make your own Portfolio about your assessment to your school, work, and social participation. But there is another option not to take these exams, it is the staatsexamen Nederlands als tweede taal (Nt2) which is higher level than inburgering, less work, focus more on the language and makes you eligible for university courses taught in Dutch. So I think that NT2 is the best step for me to learn well the language but until now, I dont know which one I would take up coz NT2 is divided into two programs. Program 1 is designed for people who want to work in lower level jobs on the labour market or follow a training for that. Programme 2 is meant for people who want to work in higher level jobs or want to follow a training for such jobs. Maybe, the school, where I would study, would help me to choose the right course for me. Not only this, but to help me to learn how to fluently speak in dutch and pass the exam which one of the essential to get a Dutch Passport.