Nestled within Amsterdam-West, the Huibersschool is a small school in a superdiverse neighborhood. But don’t let its size fool you about its ambitions and what the team has accomplished since joining our Language Friendly School network in 2021.
As a certified Language Friendly School, the Huibersschool is currently one of 35 schools worldwide that are committed to creating a nurturing environment that celebrates and supports the multitude of languages spoken by its students and parents. Recently, we (Ellen-Rose Kambel and Hilda Heyde) had the privilege of co-hosting a training on “Inclusive Teaching in a Diverse Classroom” as part of the Erasmus+ funded Inclusive School Hub-project which was held at the Huibersschool.
This blog post sheds light on some of the strategies and activities implemented by the Huibersschool to foster a language friendly atmosphere, providing an example of how schools can put the theory of inclusion into practice.
Training International School Hub
Training on Inclusive Teaching
From 27-29 June, educators and school leaders from Greece, Germany, Cyprus, and the Netherlands came together at the Huibersschool for the training “Inclusive Teaching in a Diverse Classroom” facilitated by Dimitrios Vlachopoulos from Skills Up Training and Research and Associate Professor, Transformation of Management Education at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University.
During the training, educators had the opportunity to delve into the theoretical foundations of inclusive teaching, explore intercultural competence dimensions, and understand the importance of creating a language-friendly school environment. The subsequent practical sessions focused on designing inclusive educational materials, allowing participants to translate their newfound knowledge into actionable strategies. In reflective journals submitted by each teacher, they documented their “lessons learned” and outlined concrete actions to make their teaching practices more inclusive. A boat trip on the Amsterdam canals to learn about the city’s Black Heritage was another highlight of the training.
Huibersschool’s Language Friendly Environment
Upon entering the school, it is immediately clear that all languages are welcome here. It is not just a sign at the door which reveals that this is a Language Friendly School, the Huibersschool has embraced a unique and heartwarming tradition. Every weekday, students and staff greet each other with “good morning” in a different language. This practice not only showcases the linguistic diversity present in the school community: By starting the day with greetings in various languages, Huibersschool fosters an atmosphere of respect, curiosity, and appreciation for different cultures, setting the stage for a harmonious and inclusive learning environment.
Another standout feature of the Huibersschool’s approach is the creation of a visual roadmap for the academic year 2022-2023. This roadmap, adorned with drawings and pictures, offers a comprehensive overview of the school’s language friendly plan. By sharing this roadmap with all staff members, the Huibersschool ensures transparency and keeps everyone informed about the school’s progress and upcoming endeavors. This visual representation acts as a guiding force, unifying the team towards the common goal of fostering a language– rich and inclusive environment.
The Huibersschool also boasts a remarkable multilingual library. The school has curated an impressive collection of books in various languages, including bilingual and trilingual options. By offering a diverse range of literature, Huibersschool encourages students to enjoy reading, to explore stories, myths, and information in their home languages. This initiative not only promotes language acquisition but also cultivates cultural appreciation and understanding. Good to know: the Huibersschool is happy to share the resources and websites they utilized to build this impressive collection!
A display of language portraits and world maps outside each classroom is another example. These displays signify the students’ roots and the languages spoken in each classroom, serving as a constant reminder of the diverse cultural tapestry within the school community.
By hosting the “Inclusive Teaching” training and implementing various strategies, Yvette van der Kolk, the Language Friendly School coordinator, along with school leader Ellen Scheermeijer and the rest of the Huibersschool team, have shown that their school can serve as an inspiration for educators worldwide, demonstrating the power of language-friendly practices in creating inclusive spaces where students can thrive and celebrate their unique cultural identities.