Language Lab 

The Language Lab is available to all students of NHL Stenden and offers assistance with all your language-related questions in Dutch or English. We provide guidance in completing writing assignments such as theses, reports, and papers, but also offer help with speaking skills. For example, by helping you prepare for a presentation or other speaking task. We can also advise you on other academic skills such as planning and organising a language task, applying APA guidelines and paraphrasing and synthesising sources. 

You can drop in during office hours or schedule an individual (online) appointment with a tutor to work together on your language task. We also host a weekly online language café for learners of Dutch and offer supporting workshops and courses in Dutch and English.
 

Individual appointment

Do you have questions about the structure of your text? Could you use some help with formulating sentences? Would you like help with your presentation skills? Do you find it difficult to process feedback on language? Or do you have a different language-related question? Then schedule an individual appointment with one of our tutors. They can help you with aspects such as text structure, sentence structure, cohesion etc.

  • A tutor does not correct your text or review your thesis, but helps you improve your writing or speaking. Therefore, you cannot submit texts to have errors corrected.
  • Also, a tutor cannot make statements about the content of your text; that is up to your own teacher or supervisor. 
  • You can schedule a maximum of three appointments with a tutor. Are you studying in Assen, Groningen, Meppel, or on Terschelling? The appointment can also be held online!

Sign up for an individual appointment by sending an email to languagelab@nhlstenden.com

Our programme

The language lab offers a varied programme which is entirely free of charge. More information about each activity can be found below. 

  • Help Desk
  • Tutor sessions (3 free 45-minute) 
  • Workshop First Aid for Academic Writing 
  • The Writing Express 
  • Language Café 
     

Help Desk 

You can visit the help desk in Leeuwarden and Emmen for any questions you may have. In Leeuwarden, a Dutch and an English language expert are present to help you.

Leeuwarden drop-in hours:
Tuesday: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM*
The help desk is located at Rengerslaan 8, in the study landscape of the library. 

Emmen drop-in hours:
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM*
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM*
Within these times, you can drop by the Language Lab (also known as the Writing Center).

Teacher Language Lab (Dutch) in Emmen: Geesje Eising (mailto:geesje.eising@nhlstenden.com) 
Students looking for English language support can email languagelab@nhlstenden.com for more information, and to make an online appointment. 

*Except during (public) holidays. 

Tutor sessions

In these free tutor sessions (online) a tutor will help you with a specific language-related question. For example: revising a text, helping you prepare for a presentation, or work on your speaking skills. These sessions are free of charge.

Workshop First aid for Academic Writing

In this course of three meetings, you will work on various academic writing skills. You will learn how to strategically approach various writing assignments. You will learn how to translate your teacher's assignment into your own action plan. Additionally, you will gain insight into the advantages and disadvantages of different writing strategies and how to avoid pitfalls. You can bring an assignment that you have to submit after the course, or you can participate in the course so that you can tackle your writing assignments more effectively later on. You can also bring any other piece of writing that you are currently struggling with. 

When? Sign-up will open soon. More information at:

 Internal Courses

The Writing Express 

For students who want to work on a writing task for a longer period of time. Starting your writing process and sticking to it can be challenging. At the Writing Express you will work on your task for three consecutive days in T3B and T4B. We will start each day at 10.00 o'clock and will stop at 14.00 o'clock. Plenty of breaks will be scheduled to keep your mind fresh and alert.

Sign up for the Writing Express 

Language café

Is Dutch not your native language and would you like to practice your conversation skills? During the online language café, we discuss various topics so that you can express yourself more easily and with more enjoyment in Dutch. Attention is given to pronunciation, vocabulary, and figurative language use. You also get to know other students and each other’s cultures. 

  • For L2 (NT2) students at B1/B2 level 
  • Every Monday from 19:00 to 20:30 (except during holidays)
    On Teams 
  • Teacher: Paula Verbeem 

Interested? Send an email to languagelab@nhlstenden.com and briefly introduce yourself (native language, educational programme, number of years in the Netherlands). 

Writing Tips

Through this link (Dutch page), you will access the Blackboard course of the Language Lab with all current information about the Language Lab. You will also find writing tips and knowledge clips to assist you in writing better and faster. By enrolling in this course, you will stay informed of our activities. Our English content is currently being expanded. 

The following websites offer additional writing tips: 

Contact information

Any questions about the Language Lab? Send an email to languagelab@nhlstenden.com or visit us at the library at Rengerslaan 8 (Leeuwarden) or van Schaikweg 94 (Emmen).