Het Taalhuis:

• wants to promote participation in the Dutch society: you cannot fully participate without the language.
• provides a pleasant meeting point: a relaxed atmosphere is crucial for feeling confident to practice speaking a new language. That is why a conscious decision was made to give the lessons to women by women. And we work in small classes.
• offers women the opportunity to break through their social isolation.

Organization

The foundation Het Taalhuis is managed by a board consisting of: treasurer Ann van Melle

and secretary Saglara Badaeva. The board meets about 6 times a year to discuss policy matters.

A digicoach deals with all digital matters, digiboards, laptops, etc.

A teaching committee ensures an optimal range of teaching materials and

gives guidance to our teachers where needed.

There are regular meetings with the teachers and a newsletter is published about 6 times a year.

Approach

Since 2 April 2012 women  have been welcome at Het Taalhuis to learn or improve their Dutch language and to learn how to ride a bicycle.

Het Taalhuis runs purely on the basis of passionate volunteers (and sometimes sponsors), who recognize and support the social importance of our organization.

Het Taalhuis is a non-profit organization. Tuition fees are kept as low as possible to increase accessibility.

In order to give as many women as possible the opportunity to participate in the classes, there is a babysitting service for children from 6 months to 4 years old.

Confidential mediator

Het Taalhuis is a group of people. We work together - with collegues, with students or with others. Usually this is a nice cooperation where everyone feels comfortable, without any inappropriate behaviour.

Unfortunately, as in every organisation there is a chance that on occasion things won't go as they should and there could be a case of inappropriate behaviour. Of course this can take place in varying degrees and in some cases it could be unacceptable behaviour. It is good to know that in such case, both volunteers and students can talk to someone in confidance about inappropriate behaviour. We have a confidential mediator who is always willing to listen in confidance and who looks for solutions. 

When do you contact the mediator?

• when you are being bullied;
• when you feel that you do not belong, because of your skin colour, your faith or your sexual orientation;
• when you feel uncomfortable about the way you are being approached or touched.

Contact

You can contact the confidential mediator Karin Franken directly through email address karin.franken@hetnet.nl or phone 06-42974244.