Sundial creates Dutch Language Village in School…

A system used by MPC some three years ago is now been introduced at Sundial for the first time Friday, Third formers were introduced to (Taaldorp) when freely translated (Language Village) a format used to help students with their communication skills in the Dutch language. Dutch teachers and volunteers some from outside of the school setting who are verse in the Dutch language, were used to act as facilitators in different forms of doing business in any community.  These facilitators will have to communicate with the students only in the Dutch language. They answered questions and made inquiries while the students were not allowed to speak any English in their attempt to get information and while trying to communicate.

Some of the cases presented for training, where the students were expected to be engage in the Dutch language, were a Restaurant setting, a Market place, clothing store, Doctors office and Lost and Found department at the police Station. One of the main objective for this exercise was to allow the student to see the need to communicate in a foreign language and to practice been able to do so in the Dutch language. Most of the students at Sundial command the English language well, but struggles to communicate proficiently in the Dutch Language.

At the completion of the assignment the students were graded for their performance. Some of the undergraduates when interviewed later, says they were nervous and at times scared while trying to communicate during the exercise, but agreed overall that it was helpful.

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