Another staff member, speaking hesitantly in Dutch, describes her role at UM to the group. The others listen attentively and offer encouragement. This is the first-ever Dutch Lunch session, a twice-monthly lunchtime meeting to help staff improve their Dutch in an informal setting. Today’s group includes two native speakers and three international colleagues from countries like Spain and Italy.
Included
The initiative was launched by Michelle Scheffers, Monica Garcia-Salmones Rovira and Massimo Fichera. Scheffers, whose native language is Dutch, recognises that it’s “not easy for international employees to learn Dutch in a formal setting.” And during more informal moments, like tutorial breaks, “Dutch colleagues and students often switch to their own language”, explains Garcia-Salmones Rovira, who is from Spain. “You feel more included if you can speak Dutch.”
Switching
All participants have taken or are taking language courses at the UM Language Centre, but this isn’t without its difficulties, they say. “Classes are scheduled in the middle of the day, so I often have to skip lunch to attend.” And evening classes come with their own challenges: after working all day in English, it’s hard to switch to Dutch.“Casual language sessions at lunchtime feel much more accessible”, says Scheffers. “There’s no pressure, no grades – you’re just practising together.” Fichera adds, “We’re very motivated. We love languages. Some colleagues even spontaneously asked if they could join. Not everyone was as enthusiastic, though.”
Dutch in law
At the Faculty of Law, speaking Dutch isn’t just useful for socialising. A Dutch-speaking lecturer and a Spanish colleague point out how important it is for navigating certain legal fields, “such as maritime and environmental law – you simply have to know the language.” Or take meetings like the “jurisprudentielunches” (“Case Law Lunches”), which are alternately held in Dutch and English.
Constant tension
Was the Dutch Lunch initiative inspired by the government’s plans to impose stricter language requirements, aiming to re-establish Dutch as the primary language in higher education? Not necessarily, says Garcia-Salmones Rovira, who feels the controversy is rather overblown. “The media make it seem like there’s constant tension.” Scheffers: “Everyone here values diversity and collaboration. It’s the international students and staff who make UM unique.”
If international members of the UM community are expected to meet higher standards of Dutch proficiency in the future, they have one hope: that language courses will be better integrated into working hours.