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Middelbaar eindexamen Nederlands als vreemde taal in Hongarije
75-102Views:14This article considers the examination methods for L2 learners in Hungary. A short history of past and current methods of examination for Dutch learners is covered in order to attest to the evolution in complexity and effectiveness that has taken place over the course of the years. The theoretical, statutory side of L2 examination is briefly taken into account, but the focus is on the practical aspect of L2 examination. The different elements of an ideal exam (reading, listening, writing and speaking proficiency, and correctness) are discussed with attention to detail and with the use of examples.
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De Vlaamse Beweging en de patstelling van het Nederlands in de publieke overheid en het onderwijs in het jonge België (1830–1850)
47-58Views:21Although the freedom of language use was anchored in the Belgian Constitution of 1831,
in practice it led to almost complete Frenchification of public life, because civil servants
could choose their own language. Dutch thus became the language of the countryside and
the lower classes. Secondary and higher education were exclusively French speaking. The
Flemish Movement came into being as a reaction to this. Cultural associations were
founded and standards for Dutch language established. A petition in 1840 revealed the
extent of the problem – the Flemish Movement demanded language equality and the
establishment of a Flemish Academy. Although there was partial success in 1850
(Dutchification of primary and secondary education in Flanders), the petition also
provoked a hostile reaction among French speakers who accused the Flemings of antibelgitude. The Flemish Movement therefore issued a pro-Belgian manifesto. But the
government remained French speaking, so there was a stalemate. -
Cultuur onderwijzen in NVT-lessen voor Hongaarse universiteitsstudenten
117-160Views:17If we look at language course books for beginners we see that a lot of cultural aspects emerge even from these low-level texts. I analysed a Dutch course book (B. de Boer, M. van der Kamp, B. Lijmbach (2010). Nederlands in gang. Coutinho) and tried to find the matches with Hofstede’s five dimensions, with special attention to the elements of dimensions which can be related to education and foreign language teaching. I found that three dimensions which are typical of Dutch society and which are different in Hungarian society, may influence foreign language learners’ perception of the target language and culture . These are 1. Small power distance (especially at school and at home) which can foster or impede creativity; it also has far-reaching consequences for the degree of directness/indirectness in communication in teacher-learner interaction and also on societal level; and its effect on dealing with guests and privacy. 2. Individualism: influences our contacts in the family, but also our rights to freedom of opinion and expression in social interaction, and it also influences the space, the houses where we live and how we deal with guests. 3. Femininity: this dimension plays an important role in negotiations and discussions. Working on reaching mutual understanding and the willingness to listen to each others’ opinion are also characteristic features of femininity. This dimension influences also our ideas about the past, the history of our country and how important this national history is for our country at present. We also wittness some kind of shift towards masculinity in the Netherlands in the past years which again lets us think further how we can incorporate teaching culture in our language curriculum, without being stereotypical. 118 Eszter Zelenka In my paper I discuss the different possible ways of drawing beginners’ attention to cultural values, hidden in texts; and the choices that a foreign language teacher has to make in this process.