Education Council: explain use of English

Dutch universities should better explain the use English in education, says the Education Council of the Netherlands. The council does not argue the use of English, but it believes that universities made a conscious decision, and should not neglect the Dutch language.

The Education Council recommends educational institutions to have a balanced language policy and to open a debate on the use of English. “Formulate a clear and motivated vision, and monitor the quality of education in English,” says the council. The council uses Denmark as an example of a country that had a successful public debate on this issue. In Denmark the debate led to a separation of Danish-language bachelor’s programs and master’ programs in English.

The language level of both Dutch and international students should also be comparable, according to the council. The pre-university education requirements that students need to pass their English exam must be similar to the requirements foreign student need for their language proficiency test. The council believes requirements should go both ways: foreign students must learn the Dutch language and culture at such a level that they are able to follow follow education given in Dutch.