Tiemen Groen carries out research for the Language Use and Learning professorship into the use of the Frisian language at primary schools, by for example filming the interaction between pupils.

“Education and language fascinate me. I have been not only a primary school teacher, but also an internal supervisor, remedial teacher, language coordinator, deputy head teacher and care coordinator. At the Language Use and Learning professorship I have carried out quantitative research into the way questions are phrased in the Reading Comprehension part of the Dutch Cito test used to determine secondary school placement. I am currently working on the Frisian Language Plan research project (Taalplan Frysk), which examines the use of the Frisian language and Frisian as a subject in primary schools.”

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Tiemen Groen

Video of interaction

“It goes without saying that as a language specialist I find the research questions very interesting: to what degree is the Frisian language used by primary school children these days and in what way is Frisian as a subject truly given form in primary schools? What sort of interaction is there between teachers and pupils when it comes to using the Frisian language during all lessons? And what does this interaction look like during both the Frisian lessons and in informal settings? I generate this information during interviews. My other tasks include filming activities at various primary schools, whereby I mainly look at the interaction between pupils. I then process and index the recordings at the NHL Stenden.”