L | A (Translated with ChatGPT)
By Carmen Wisse
Where Mohammed Osman (17) from Syria and Ahmad Faadil Jammeh (17) from Gambia did not speak a word of Dutch half a year ago, and Mohammed was even illiterate, the two now introduce themselves in Dutch and are making plans for the future.
The two have been attending the school for unaccompanied minor refugees at the Lijnbaan in Goes for half a year. Mohammed and Ahmad are very happy to be able to attend school every day, 'because school is the key to success.
Ahmad behind his computer during class
That Ahmad wants to be successful is clear: during the lesson, he sits hunched over his laptop, nervously biting his nails. He listens intently to the teacher walking past the desks. The task is to write a letter in Dutch, and Ahmad is eager to complete it as perfectly as possible.
Helping my people
'I want to become a doctor,' he says. The Dutch sentences come slowly out of his mouth during the interview. As he answers the questions, you can see him searching for words, but with a bit of encouragement, he continues. 'I want... I want to go back to Gambia to help my people there.'
The school for unaccompanied minor refugees
Half a year ago, the school opened its doors for the first time, and now around a hundred students attend the secondary language school. The young people learn about the Dutch language and culture, but they also receive physical education, practical lessons, and basic math. The school is a so-called bridge school, meaning that the students are prepared for regular Dutch education.
"It wouldn't surprise me at all if Ahmad actually becomes a doctor. These young people are so motivated to make something of themselves," says school leader Marlou van der Hor as she walks ahead on the way to Mr. Nordin's gym class. All the teachers are addressed as Mr. or Ms., followed by their first name.
Upon arriving in the gymnasium at the side of the school, you can already hear the voice of Nordin Karkach echoing through the hall.
'Left! Right! Left!' The boys are receiving boxing lessons and jumping around the hall. 'These young people have never had physical education before, and at first, they found it a bit strange, but it's very good for them, and in the meantime, they're also learning the Dutch language,' Mr. Nordin explains.
The gym class of Nordin Karkach
Mohammed Osman is taking a breather after Mr. Nordin's intensive exercises. 'It’s really fun here. We learn all sorts of things: speaking and writing Dutch, as well as basketball and football.'
'I just had them do a little exercise with left and right,' says Mr. Nordin. 'In a regular secondary school, you would never do such an exercise. Sixteen-year-olds already know what left and right are. Here, they learn the Dutch language through play.'
The boxing lesson of Mr. Nordin
You cannot compare the bridge school with regular education, believes the gym teacher.
'These are young people who have come to the Netherlands on their own, young people with a past; who knows what they have all experienced? Our task is to ensure that these young people can function in Dutch society. During the first months here at school, we primarily provided them with structure: what are the actual rules here at school?'
"Model students"
Furthermore, the gym teacher mainly notices the motivation of the boys, agreeing with what school leader Marlou van der Hor says. 'They are all young people who are here without parents, yet they are all motivated to come to school. I do notice a difference compared to students in a regular school. In terms of motivation, they are almost all model students.'
Iris Meuldijk in front of the class
After the gym class, it's time for Dutch class, where Ms. Iris stands laughing in front of her class. One by one, she calls her students forward with the next challenge: 'I will say a number, and you have to write it down in words.' The students are eager to take on the challenge. 'Okay,' says Iris Meuldijk. 'Nine hundred ninety-nine! Write it down!'
Her passion shines through as she articulates the sounds of the numbers to her students standing in front of the blackboard. When asked if you need to be more than just a teacher for these young people, she wholeheartedly responds, 'I believe that everyone who teaches here is more than just a teacher.'
"They deserve that attention"
With this, Ms. Iris refers to the home situations of the students. Most of the students live in the old Van der Valk hotel in Goes, which also serves as emergency accommodation for unaccompanied minor refugees. They live there without parents. 'And that's why I think I have almost become a sort of mother for some of the young people. You just give them that little extra bit of attention: Have you had a nice haircut? How are you doing? They deserve that attention.'
By Carmen Wisse
Where Mohammed Osman (17) from Syria and Ahmad Faadil Jammeh (17) from Gambia did not speak a word of Dutch half a year ago, and Mohammed was even illiterate, the two now introduce themselves in Dutch and are making plans for the future.
The two have been attending the school for unaccompanied minor refugees at the Lijnbaan in Goes for half a year. Mohammed and Ahmad are very happy to be able to attend school every day, 'because school is the key to success.
Ahmad behind his computer during class
That Ahmad wants to be successful is clear: during the lesson, he sits hunched over his laptop, nervously biting his nails. He listens intently to the teacher walking past the desks. The task is to write a letter in Dutch, and Ahmad is eager to complete it as perfectly as possible.
Helping my people
'I want to become a doctor,' he says. The Dutch sentences come slowly out of his mouth during the interview. As he answers the questions, you can see him searching for words, but with a bit of encouragement, he continues. 'I want... I want to go back to Gambia to help my people there.'
The school for unaccompanied minor refugees
Half a year ago, the school opened its doors for the first time, and now around a hundred students attend the secondary language school. The young people learn about the Dutch language and culture, but they also receive physical education, practical lessons, and basic math. The school is a so-called bridge school, meaning that the students are prepared for regular Dutch education.
"It wouldn't surprise me at all if Ahmad actually becomes a doctor. These young people are so motivated to make something of themselves," says school leader Marlou van der Hor as she walks ahead on the way to Mr. Nordin's gym class. All the teachers are addressed as Mr. or Ms., followed by their first name.
Upon arriving in the gymnasium at the side of the school, you can already hear the voice of Nordin Karkach echoing through the hall.
'Left! Right! Left!' The boys are receiving boxing lessons and jumping around the hall. 'These young people have never had physical education before, and at first, they found it a bit strange, but it's very good for them, and in the meantime, they're also learning the Dutch language,' Mr. Nordin explains.
The gym class of Nordin Karkach
Mohammed Osman is taking a breather after Mr. Nordin's intensive exercises. 'It’s really fun here. We learn all sorts of things: speaking and writing Dutch, as well as basketball and football.'
'I just had them do a little exercise with left and right,' says Mr. Nordin. 'In a regular secondary school, you would never do such an exercise. Sixteen-year-olds already know what left and right are. Here, they learn the Dutch language through play.'
The boxing lesson of Mr. Nordin
You cannot compare the bridge school with regular education, believes the gym teacher.
'These are young people who have come to the Netherlands on their own, young people with a past; who knows what they have all experienced? Our task is to ensure that these young people can function in Dutch society. During the first months here at school, we primarily provided them with structure: what are the actual rules here at school?'
"Model students"
Furthermore, the gym teacher mainly notices the motivation of the boys, agreeing with what school leader Marlou van der Hor says. 'They are all young people who are here without parents, yet they are all motivated to come to school. I do notice a difference compared to students in a regular school. In terms of motivation, they are almost all model students.'
Iris Meuldijk in front of the class
After the gym class, it's time for Dutch class, where Ms. Iris stands laughing in front of her class. One by one, she calls her students forward with the next challenge: 'I will say a number, and you have to write it down in words.' The students are eager to take on the challenge. 'Okay,' says Iris Meuldijk. 'Nine hundred ninety-nine! Write it down!'
Her passion shines through as she articulates the sounds of the numbers to her students standing in front of the blackboard. When asked if you need to be more than just a teacher for these young people, she wholeheartedly responds, 'I believe that everyone who teaches here is more than just a teacher.'
"They deserve that attention"
With this, Ms. Iris refers to the home situations of the students. Most of the students live in the old Van der Valk hotel in Goes, which also serves as emergency accommodation for unaccompanied minor refugees. They live there without parents. 'And that's why I think I have almost become a sort of mother for some of the young people. You just give them that little extra bit of attention: Have you had a nice haircut? How are you doing? They deserve that attention.'
