‘There’s nothing wrong with learning Dutch’

In a new approach to the debate about the increasing use of English as the language of instruction at the University, the discussions on Monday 9 March did not revolve solely around whether degree programmes at TU Delft should all switch to English, but whether international students should also be obliged to learn Dutch.

MP for the VVD, Pieter Duisenberg, thinks that they should. He debated the subject during yesterday’s Studium Generale with Rector Magnificus Karel Luyben, although the two actually turned out to hold fairly similar opinions. Duisenberg wants international students to take a compulsory 13-week course, in which they would spend three hours per week learning the basics of the Dutch language.

According to the MP, studies show that on completing their programme, seventy per cent of international students studying in the Netherlands regret never having learned Dutch. “It’s a real obstacle to forging a career here.” Duisenberg thinks that more students would stay in the Netherlands to work if they had mastered the language. To his mind, this is crucial to our economy. In addition, the Netherlands would be able to recoup its investment in training international students.

Karel Luyben initially said that although he did not think learning Dutch should be made compulsory, he would ‘strongly advise it’. “There´s nothing wrong with learning Dutch.” He then broached the dilemma in deciding who should be required to learn Dutch and who should not. “There´s obviously little point if someone is only in the Netherlands for three months or less. But the new Dean of Architecture and the Built

Environment should certainly learn to speak Dutch. Where do you draw the line?” He seemed to have found the answer later on in the debate, when he mentioned an obligation for people staying in the Netherlands for more than three months.

Meanwhile, the question of whether TU Delft should teach all Bachelor’s degree programmes in English was raised. This is merely a question of time, said Luyben. But students of Architecture and the Built Environment raised concerns about their programmes. They think that the links with Dutch culture and legislation are so deeply entrenched in their programmes that this is not an option. However, the Rector soon pointed out that architecture does not stop at the national borders.

The argument that even lecturers who speak good English convey thirty per cent less knowledge when teaching in a ‘foreign’ language was not enough to make Luyben back down. “I agree that you lose a certain amount of information, but this is always the case when someone explains something to a large group of people. Luckily, we have numerous other ways of conveying information. Sooner or later, we will have to switch to English, so we might as well start now.”

Last week, a survey conducted by the Oras student council group showed that the majority of students are not fazed by this. The fact that they will eventually have to work in an international environment is a popular argument in favour. More advantages came to light during the debate, such as a larger influx of international talent. One Indian Master’s student said that he would have done his Bachelor’s degree in Delft too if the programme had been taught in English.

And international students who come to Delft earlier have a much better chance of integrating, said another student. “There is currently a lot of segregation between Dutch and international students. It would be a lot easier to make friends if they were to start the Bachelor’s programme together, including the introduction week, when both groups were new to Delft.” Luyben agreed. “I would like to see a truly international culture here in Delft. It’s not just the international students who must adapt; the Dutch students must change their ways too.”