Really Discouraged - Don't Know What To Do

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Nela

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2009
Messages
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Location
Amsterdam, , Netherlands
I arrived in the Netherlands in May. In June, we moved into our home. Meanwhile I had to do some tests and go to appointments about the dutch integration program (Inburgering). Anyway, they FINALLY got back to me last week and told me I was starting Monday.

They had mentionned having various times for the courses and I was pretty adament about wanting mornings since it meant Jeff could drive me there and then I would only have to walk back. They didn't put me in the morning class. Now okay, I was pretty disappointed and worried because it's a 40min walk one way and I have torn tendons in both feet as well as heel spurs which haven't healed yet. Anyway, I could overlook that and I told myself maybe i wouldn't be a problem and we'd see how it goes.

Monday was my first class. We are only 4 students in our group because all the others canceled. Anyway, they took us to a computer class where there were other students and explained to us how to log in and then left us on our own. Now let me tell you how this went.

The computer program shows you a short video which is all is dutch. After that, you get a list of words which is all in dutch. The next step is answering questions. All in Dutch. So I asked the teacher 'How can I answer a question I cannot read?' And this made the teacher annoyed. She got annoyed and told me if it's too hard for me to just do the words. So I calmly asked 'But Miss, I understand that they pronounce the word but I do not know what the word means and the definition is in Dutch.' Her reply was to get a dictionary.

Anyway, it turns out the 4 of us just sat there and stared blankly and were getting very frustrated. The teacher got irritated and took us to another class where she started a more interactive lesson. That was much much better however, she made us start reading things and pronouncing things without teaching us phoenetics, alphabet, etc.

Yesterday, I had the worse day. We had a new teacher. She started us off in the 'interactive class' only to make it much much less interactive. She basically sat there and watched us struggle. She then gave us a sheet which had a picture of a kitchen with smaller pictures of objects found around the kitchen and the dutch word under them. And that was that. She didn't pronounce the words. She just left us to it. And of course, with none of us having done phonetics, it's pretty much impossible to just guess the pronounciation.

She picked on me in particular because I have absolutely no knowledge of the dutch language and I struggle with the 'v' and 'w' sound. She got mad at me and told me that I need to go home and learn these things. I asked why I was at school if I had to go learn it at home. She didn't answer. At one point we asked about a word in a sentence to find out it means 'learn'. She got irritated and said that if we do not know these words, we should go home and look it up in the dictionary. I had my dictionary with me but of course it could not be found because it was not the infinitive form of the verb. Nice. We have to guess that too?

She also lied to us at one point about a certain rule not existing for the use of two different articles. She said they use one more than the other and that we just have to learn it. In fact, there is a clear rule in place, though it may not be too easy for a beginner. I would respect that if i were told that, but please do not start treating me like I am so stupid and do not need to know of things existing.

Anyway, the teacher got so irritated with us asking questions that shesaid 'Enough for today' basically kicked us out, and walked away leaving us standing there in bewilderment. We spent some time wandering around and then figured maybe we should go to the computer class. Who knows. There were students there that we had never seen but we just sat there and well basically we did anything other than learning dutch. All of us are very discouraged.

This is for my citizenship. It's a crucial part. I have 3.5 years to learn all this and pass the exams... It seems the school doesn't give a darn though. The way those teachers treat us is despicable. We're all adults. We're not stupid. We're trying hard to learn and yet they cannot be bothered to teach us. You voice your concerns and they automatically label you as a troublemaker. You ask a question and they make you feel so unbelievably stupid...

I'm not sure how to handle this? :(
 
I would talk to your fellow students and see if between you all go to someone that can help. United front to deal with this.
 
Maybe it would help to purchase a program like Rosetta Stone to learn the language.
 
Rosetta Stone is one way to approach it. The other thing is to get together and present a united front to someone in charge as your "teachers" are collecting a salary for doing a job and not doing the job, nor, are they worthy of the name "teacher".
 
Nancy McClelland wrote:
Rosetta Stone is one way to approach it. The other thing is to get together and present a united front to someone in charge as your "teachers" are collecting a salary for doing a job and not doing the job, nor, are they worthy of the name "teacher".
I agree, it doesn't sound like the "teachers" are doing their job. Are they government workers?
 
I know about the Rosetta Stone program and I do have it though I haven't installed it yet. The thing is that it is quite irritating to have to go to school 4 days a week only to be treated this way and have to do things on my own at home. There are other things I could be doing. :rollseyes

Anyway, the teacher and I got into it a bit today. Things settled at the end, after the others joined in and she finally gave in and started teaching the phonetics. That helps, like a lot! Tomorrow we have the very rude teacher though so we will see how it goes.

One major problem is that I was unable to walk back home from school. I had to call Jeff and ask him to pick me up so he had to leave work early. I have no idea how I will manage this. I think I need to figure out this bicycle riding and fast. My feet were nearly purple and I have nice blisters. I felt the tendons tear again so I've just undone months of somewhat healing. They are swollen and angry red so I am back on cortisone. Whoopdeedoo. :expressionlessArghhhhh. Stupid feet. Lol.
 
Is the class mandatory or just learning the language?
I certainly understand what you mean about the v's and w's. I'm in my second semester of German and the one thing that makes me feel better is hearing my teacher mispronounce things (like werbs instead of verbs).
 
I'm not exactly sure about if it is mandatory or not. Sure sounded like I have to do it. This is integration so they cover quite a bit more than just the language. I will be installing the Rosetta Stone program though so I can pick up on it faster and better. Thanks guys for reminding me of that one.

Things were a bit better yesterday. The teacher isn't the best, that is for sure but okay, I am trying to stay focused. I had a bit of an argument with the otherthe day beforeand of course she wrote things down. Anyway, yesterday, she taught us some of the things I complained about. My classmate cannot stand her and spent most of the class pulling middle fingers at her behind her back. That's not something I want to encourage. I mean, sure, she's not the best but that's not how anything will get better that is for sure.

I'm glad they are trying to teach us the basics now. I'm hoping next week will keep improving. I sure hope so, I have a bit over a year of this to go. Lol
 
I'm a bit confused. Was this class intended to teach you the language or do they assume you already know it at this point?

It's possible they excepted you all to know the language before taking an integration class. If thats the case I think I would drop he integration class and start with an actual language class first. It doesnt sound like this teacher is going to teach you anything. Either way, I think you may need a new program in order to learn.
 
I agree that there are very good programs online. However, I'm from the mentality that a computer cannot replace a good teacher. It's nicer to learn with a teacher I find. You cannot ask a computer a direct question. I hate that.

Like I mentionned before, it's also the fact that I am at school 4 days a week. I would expect to be learning a lot there versus having to do more of the learning at home than at school. :)

Luluznewz, nah this is a full integration. They will teach us dutch language, history, culture, way of life etc. Basically they are teaching us what we need to know to function properly. I'm in the very basic course for the language since I need to start from scratch. On the other hand, becausewe scored highly on the IQ test,they just expect us to learn very quickly. :expressionless

Anywho, there is good news though... :biggrin2:The rude teacher (we have 2 teachers)that none of us liked (and the feeling was clearly mutual) has ditched us. Yep. Well anyway, we could tell from the very minute she walked into the class that she did NOT want to be there. Ah well. It's a relief really. I did think it was better last Thursday but if I really could be honest, I would suggest she change career. She demanded that they find us another teacher. Sooooo we will have another teacher either this week or next. Our other teacher though has listened to our concerns and she's been teaching a whole lot more now. She and I had a nice private conversation and I think we will get along just fine. She's quite pleasant nowand has made the class way more interactive.

Very relieved to say the least! :biggrin: Thanks again everyone for the encouragement.
 
Have I got this right? You are trying to learn to speak Dutch(Netherland)and the teachers are giving you a hard time?

If so how about the principal of the school,complain to him.if no results from him then go higher up.Still no results then a letter to the newspapers about your treatment in Holland,they are always looking for a good story.

Bill
 
Hmm I certainly don't want to turn something simple into a huge story. I wouldn't want to give people the wrong impression about holland really. It's not the case. It was more of an issue with the teaching itself and I couldn't seem to figure if I should confront them about it or stay quiet and 'adapt' or what. It seems things are changing now so it's getting a lot better.

Not that it excuses everything, but I do know that there is a lot of talk about the budget cuts and the program financing taking a good hit. Also, there have been lots of cancellations so we're a really tiny group so I guess some teachers are quite annoyed with the way things are working out as well.

I butted heads with the teachers but we seem to have come to a mutual understanding and now that the teaching has improved, I really can't complain :)

I also think these are government employees or so and it's a bit more complicated to 'complain'. If ever I have reason to, I could always go see the coordinator and file an official complaint but that would only be after I have exhausted other methods or if it's really really serious.

Hopefully things keep improving and that doesn't need to be done :expressionless
 
Dear Nela,
First of all I wish you all the best and I wish you pass every troubles and tests of life. :)
I hope my story will help you, even a bit. :) I'm not Pole. I moved to Poland on Nov 2008. My husband is Pole and we decided to start out lives together here. Well, I had the same thing as you do now. I was struggled with Polish language . First few months I came here. Everything was so good. I mean, I did had a good time, enjoying sight-seeing. Then after that, time to focus on settling my life down here. They don't have language courses from government for someone who wants to become their citizen. I took 2 intensive courses from a school. There I learned all grammar I need to know. The rest I practice it myself. Well, sounds easy but it wasn't. It was so hard for me to deal with language and everything around here. As you might know, they don't speak English here, well only a bit, but it's rarely to find someone on the street whom you can walk up to and ask for direction,...etc. Polish language is the hardest I ever learned ; grammar, pronunciation, writing, reading, listening, ahhhhhhhh ! it drives me crazy. But please believe me, things will come around. It will be better soon and will keep going better and better. You will do it just fine. :) For me, it was a day, early last year, when I sat at home, so frustrated and wanted to go back home so badly. I just grab my bag and went out. I didn't know where to go but I knew that I have to step out from my fear, the fear that I would never be able to settle down here. I took a bus, went for a shopping. I tried to speak as much as I could at that time. Then I realized it wasn't so bad, at least I could find my way home :p Anyway, cheer up, Nela. :) I'm sure you're doing it just fine. All you have to do is never give up. :) It's just another challenge. Good luck for everything, for your Dutch. :hug1 Go for it !!!
Oh, about walking, yessss I walk a lot here too. Bicycle is a good idea. ;)
 
Thanks for sharing! I didn't realize you had moved there recently... Well, 2 years in a new country isn't much :winkYeah, it's quite a lot to adapt to but that is to be expected I guess. I seriously need to learn how to ride properly :pIt's so humiliating though! LOL
 
:shock:

It turns out that a student from another group (who is actually my classmate's husband) wrote a very nasty letter of complaint to the director. :expressionlessNow, there is a huge meeting with the director and any students wanting to be heard. Apparently, the teacher's job is on the line now.

I'm not sure I will go to be honest... Though I must admit, I am a bit apprehensive about the new teacher. I'm concerned that this will turn into something way too messy. I would like to speak out against the teaching methods but I do want to be involved with this student. *Sigh*

I think I will ask my mother-in-law for extra help. It will mean not having much time to do anything else but I guess at this point, doing this is more important. :expressionless
 
Uh oh! I hope everything works out okay. I can understand not wanting to get involved if the teacher who stayed is doing a good job now.

I have a story kind of like this. It all came down to miscommunication. As you know, I was a foreign exchange student in Austria when I was 15. A couple months after I got there, the principal decided I should go hang out with 4th graders during their German class so I could learn some grammar (note: completely useless. A German class designed for 9 year olds is not the same as German for foreigners). One of the teachers I was assigned to clearly did not care for having me in the class- I could tell this from as soon as I walked in. Partway into the lesson (which I was paying careful attention to), she stopped and asked me in English, "What time is it?" I was of course confused and told her the time on the clock. Note that we hadn't been discussing tense or anything. She asked again, angry this time, and I couldn't figure out what she was asking but did as best as I could. That night my host parents got a call from the school principal saying that the German teacher said I was disrespectful and purposely did not answer her question. What a load! It was pretty upsetting and I heard about the incident from many people. I am NOT a rude person and am a good student. It's sad when confusion is mistaken for intentional rudeness. Especially since she's the one who wasn't making sense. Thankfully, I never had to go to her class again and the new teacher I was assigned too was much nicer :)
 
Bit drained right now so only posting quicklybut I just wanted to say that I am considering other options at this time... :)
 

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