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languages:gronings_in_the_netherlands [2025/07/02 09:57] – [Support structure for education of the language:] ydwinelanguages:gronings_in_the_netherlands [2025/10/01 14:57] (current) – [History of language education:] ydwine
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 ====== Education of the language ====== ====== Education of the language ======
-===== History of language education: =====+===== History of language education ===== 
 + 
 +Dutch has been and is the dominant language in education in the Netherlands.  
 + 
 +In 1974, the national Primary Education Act was amended, and since then, it is allowed that 'in regions where there is a regional language in living use next to Dutch, some knowledge of this regional language may be included during lessons on reading and Dutch' ((Staatsblad van het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden, nr. 271. (1974). [[https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/stb-1974-271.pdf]]. Original Dutch text: // Daar, waar naast de Nederlandse taal een streektaal in levend gebruik is, kan onder lezen en Nederlandse taal enige kennis van die streektaal begrepen zijn.//.)). Moreover, in 1981, a new act on education allowed for 'a regional language in living use' to be used as a language of instruction, next to Dutch ((Staatsblad van het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden, nr. 468. (1981).  [[https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/stb-1981-468.pdf]]. Original Dutch text: // Daar waar naast de Nederlandse taal, de Friese taal of een streektaal in levend gebruik is, kan de Friese taal of de streektaal mede als voertaal bij het onderwijs worden gebruikt.//.)).  
 + 
 +In 1998, the Netherlands recognised Low Saxon, including Gronings as one of the varieties, as a regional or minority language under part II of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages ((European Charter for Regional or Minority languages, ETS 148. (1992). [[https://rm.coe.int/1680695175]].)), including Art. 7.f which reflects opportunities and obligations to include Gronings on all educational level. Twenty years later, representatives of the Dutch government and several provincial governments signed the Covenant on the Recognition by The Netherlands of the Low Saxon Regional Language. Though the Covenant does not state concrete undertakings for Gronings in education, it was the direct cause for the establishment of the Low Saxon department of the educational teacher association //Levende Talen// (English: Living Languages)((Levende Talen Nedersaksisch. (n.d.) //Over ons// [About us]. Retrieved June 23, 2025, from [[https://ltnedersaksisch.nl/over-ons/]].)). 
 + 
 +National attainment targets (Dutch: kerndoelen) for primary and secondary education are made for subjects within the curriculum since 1993. These attainment targets do not mention Low Saxon explicitely. As a reaction to this, attainment targets for Low Saxon for primary education were made by the //IJsselacademie// (a knowledge institute for regional history and Low Saxon language and culture) in 2019 ((Huus van de Taol. (n.d.). //Kerndoelen Nedersaksisch// [Attainment Targets Low Saxon]. Huus van de Taol. Retrieved June 23, 2025, from [[https://huusvandetaol.nl/nl/kerndoelen-nedersaksisch/]].)). Drafts of new national attainment targets published in 2025 show more space for multilingualism and home languages, but do not mention Low Saxon extplicitely((SLO. (2025). //Functionele kerndoelen voor Nederlands en rekenen en wiskunde// [Functional attainment targets for Dutch, arithmetics and mathematics]. SLO. [[https://www.actualisatiekerndoelen.nl/updates/kerndoelen-nederlands-en-rekenen-en-wiskunde-gepubliceerd-3]]. original text in Dutch: 'ruimte bieden aan verschillende talen en taalvariëteiten van leerlingen.')). In 2025, the Dutch //Onderwijsraad// (English: Council of Education) published an advisory report for all schools to include linguistic diversity and home languages more, including regional languages((Onderwijsraad. (2025, September 4). //Talige diversiteit benutten// [make use of linguistic diversity]. Onderwijsraad. [[https://www.onderwijsraad.nl/documenten/2025/09/04/talige-diversiteit-benutten]].)). 
 + 
 +At the moment, schools are legally allowed to teach and/or use Gronings in class (see Legislation of language education), but there is no obligation to incorporate any kind of courses on Low Saxon/Gronings. As such, Gronings has a limited place within education ((Bloemhoff et al., 2020, p. 105)((Bloemhoff, H., Bloemhoff-de Bruijn, P., Nijen Twilhaar, J., Nijkeuter H., & Scholtmeijer H. (2020). //Introduction to Dutch Low Saxon Language and Literature.//Koninklijke van Gorcum.))((Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Language. (2022). //Seventh Evaluation Report on the Netherlands//. Council of Europe. [[https://rm.coe.int/netherlandsecrml7-en/1680aa8930]].)). There are a few organisations and initiatives which promote Gronings in education (see Support structure for education of the language), and the recent shift towards inclusion of multilingualism and linguistic diversity in the curriculum may have a positive effect on Gronings in education.
  
-Low Saxon has never been part of education curriculum and schools are not obligated to incorporate any kind of courses on Low Saxon (Bloemhoff et al., 2020, p. 105)((Bloemhoff, H., Bloemhoff-de Bruijn, P., Nijen Twilhaar, J., Nijkeuter H., & Scholtmeijer H. (2020). //Introduction to Dutch Low Saxon Language and Literature.//Koninklijke van Gorcum.)).  
-Low Saxon is barely represented in traditional media. It is not in use in national broadcasting but sometimes on local and regional television or radio (Bloemhoff et al. 2020, p. 109)((Bloemhoff, H., Bloemhoff-de Bruijn, P., Nijen Twilhaar, J., Nijkeuter H., & Scholtmeijer H. (2020). //Introduction to Dutch Low Saxon Language and Literature.//Koninklijke van Gorcum.)). 
-The regional station in Groningen, RTV Noord, airs for about 15 hours per week in Gronings ((Bloemhoff, H., Bloemhoff-de Bruijn, P., Nijen Twilhaar, J., Nijkeuter H., & Scholtmeijer H. (2020). //Introduction to Dutch Low Saxon Language and Literature.//Koninklijke van Gorcum.)). 
-Online learning resources have only been started to be developed recently, as will be discussed in the chapters below.  
  
 ===== Legislation of language education ===== ===== Legislation of language education =====
 ==== European legislation on minority language education ==== ==== European legislation on minority language education ====
  
-The Netherlands has signed and ratified the [[https://www.coe.int/en/web/european-charter-regional-or-minority-languages/text-of-the-charter| European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages]] by the [[https://www.coe.int/| Council of Europe]], which came into force in 1998. Within the Charter Low Saxon, and thus Gronings too, is protected under Part II, Article 7 ((Council of Europe. (2025, March 18). Reservations and Declarations for Treaty No.148 - European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ETS No. 148). [[https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/concerning-a-given-treaty?module=declarations-by-treaty&territoires=&codeNature=0&codePays=&numSte=148&enVigueur=true&ddateDebut=05-05-1949]].)). \\ This facilitates its promotion across different layers of society, including  education, e.g.:+The Netherlands has signed and ratified the [[https://www.coe.int/en/web/european-charter-regional-or-minority-languages/text-of-the-charter| European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages]] by the [[https://www.coe.int/| Council of Europe]], which came into force in 1998.  
 +As such, the Netherlands has recognised Low Saxon, and thus Gronings as well, under Part II, Article 7((Council of Europe. (2025, June 23). Reservations and Declarations for Treaty No.148 - European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ETS No. 148). [[https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/concerning-a-given-treaty?module=declarations-by-treaty&territoires=&codeNature=0&codePays=&numSte=148&enVigueur=true&ddateDebut=05-05-1949]].)). \\ This article facilitates the promotion of Low Saxon across different layers of society, including education, e.g.:
   * 7.c) the need for resolute action to promote Gronings in order to safeguard it;   * 7.c) the need for resolute action to promote Gronings in order to safeguard it;
-  * 7.d) the facilitation and/or encouragement of the use of Gronings, in speech and writing, in public and private life;+  * 7.d) the facilitation and/or encouragement of the use of Gronings , in speech and writing, in public and private life;
   * 7.f) the provision of appropriate forms and means for the teaching and study of Gronings at all appropriate stages;   * 7.f) the provision of appropriate forms and means for the teaching and study of Gronings at all appropriate stages;
   * 7.g) the provision of facilities enabling non-speakers of Gronings living in the area where it is used to learn it if they so desire;   * 7.g) the provision of facilities enabling non-speakers of Gronings living in the area where it is used to learn it if they so desire;
   * 7.h) the promotion of study and research on Gronings at universities or equivalent institutions.   * 7.h) the promotion of study and research on Gronings at universities or equivalent institutions.
  
- +Though the Netherlands has signed and ratified the [[general_information:european_legislation#Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (1995)|Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities]] by the [[https://www.coe.int/| Council of Europe]] in 2005, Low Saxon people are not recognised as a national minority. 
-Though the Netherlands has signed and ratified the [[general_information:european_legislation#Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (1995)|Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities]] by the [[https://www.coe.int/| Council of Europe]] in 2005, Low Saxons are not recognised as a national minority. +
 ==== National legislation on minority language education ==== ==== National legislation on minority language education ====
  
 === Covenant on the Recognition by The Netherlands of the Low Saxon Regional Language === === Covenant on the Recognition by The Netherlands of the Low Saxon Regional Language ===
  
-[[https://open.overheid.nl/documenten/ronl-61f99fb6-c373-4fef-a75b-560a6336b49d/pdf|The Covenant on the Recognition by The Netherlands of the Low Saxon Regional Language ]]([[https://rm.coe.int/netherlandspr6-appendix-2-en/1680950097|English version]]) was signed by the Minister of Interior and the governmental representatives of the provinces of Drenthe, Fryslân, Gelderland, Groningen, Overijssel, and of the municipalities of West- and Ooststellingwerf on October 18th, 2018. The province of Flevoland and the municipalities of Urk and Bunschoten joined at a later moment, and signed the covenant on September 13th, 2024 ((Provincie Flevoland. (2024, Sept 13). //Convenant ondertekend voor behoud van streektaal// [Covenant signed to preserve regional language]. https://flevoland.nl/actueel/convenant-ondertekend-voor-behoud-van-streektaal)).+[[https://open.overheid.nl/documenten/ronl-61f99fb6-c373-4fef-a75b-560a6336b49d/pdf|The Covenant on the Recognition by The Netherlands of the Low Saxon Regional Language]]([[https://rm.coe.int/netherlandspr6-appendix-2-en/1680950097|English version]]) was signed by the Minister of Interior and by the governmental representatives of the provinces of Drenthe, Fryslân, Gelderland, Groningen, Overijssel, and of the municipalities of West- and Ooststellingwerf in October 2018. The province of Flevoland and the municipalities of Urk and Bunschoten joined at a later moment, when governmental representatives signed the covenant in September 2024 ((Provincie Flevoland. (2024, Sept 13). //Convenant ondertekend voor behoud van streektaal// [Covenant signed to preserve regional language]. https://flevoland.nl/actueel/convenant-ondertekend-voor-behoud-van-streektaal)).
    
-With the Covenant, the Dutch government "recognises the Low Saxon regional language as an intrinsic, integral and independent part of the language system of the Netherlands", and all parties "will make every effort within their power and will cooperate to preserve the Low Saxon language in the Netherlands and to promote its use, without passing new legislation" (translations from [[https://rm.coe.int/netherlandspr6-appendix-2-en/1680950097|Council of Europe]]). Possibilities for education are mentioned in reference to the national educational acts .+With the Covenant, the Dutch government 'recognises the Low Saxon regional language as an intrinsic, integral and independent part of the language system of the Netherlands,' and all parties 'will make every effort within their power and will cooperate to preserve the Low Saxon language in the Netherlands and to promote its use, without passing new legislation' ((Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom 
 +Relations. (2019). //Administrative Agreement on the Recognition by The Netherlands of the Low Saxon Regional Language//. Council of Europe. [[https://rm.coe.int/netherlandspr6-appendix-2-en/1680950097]].)). Possibilities for education are mentioned with references to the national primary and secondary education acts: 'in places where a regional language is a living language, teaching may already take place in that language in primary schools; Low Saxon may be offered at secondary schools in addition to the compulsory material, subjects and programmes, in the hours over and above the core 
 +curriculum'((Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. (2019). //Administrative Agreement on the Recognition by The Netherlands of the Low Saxon Regional Language//. Council of Europe. [[https://rm.coe.int/netherlandspr6-appendix-2-en/1680950097]].)). 
  
 ===Educational acts === ===Educational acts ===
  
-Legislation regarding education is made at national level. The compulsory school age is between 5 and 16 years. Most children in the Netherlands start school aged 4, in the first year of primary education. Students between 16-18 years are obliged to attain a so-called qualification certificate, a diploma for //havo// (senior general secondary education), //vwo// (pre-university education), or //mbo// (secondary vocational education) ((Rijksoverheid. (n.d.). //Leerplicht en kwalificatieplicht// [Compulsory education and qualification requirement]. Rijksoverheid. Retrieved June 23, 2025, from [[https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/leerplicht/leerplicht-en-kwalificatieplicht]].))+In the Nethelands, legislation regarding education is made at national level. 
 + 
 +Most children in the Netherlands start school aged 4, in the first year of primary education. The compulsory school age is between 5 and 16 years. If pupils do not have a diploma yet for //havo// (senior general secondary education), //vwo// (pre-university education), or //mbo// (secondary vocational education) when they are 16, they have to continue education until they have attained such a diploma or until they become 18 years old((Rijksoverheid. (n.d.). //Leerplicht en kwalificatieplicht// [Compulsory education and qualification requirement]. Rijksoverheid. Retrieved June 23, 2025, from [[https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/leerplicht/leerplicht-en-kwalificatieplicht]].)).  
 + 
 +On the whole, it is allowed, but not mandatory for schools to teach Gronings as subject outside of the curriculum, and/or to use Gronings asa language of instruction in addition to Dutch. 
    
-  * Pre-school education (0-4 years)+  * Legislation for pre-school education (0-4 years)
  
-In pre-school education, the [[https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0017017/2023-01-01/0|Wet Kinderopvang]] (English: Childcare Act) states that "a regional language which is in lively use" (Dutch: "een streektaal in levend gebruik") can be also be used as the medium of instruction, besides Dutch ((Wet Kinderopvang 2004 [Childcare Act]. (2004, July 9). [[https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0017017/2023-01-01/0]].)). This allows for the use of Gronings.+In pre-school education, the [[https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0017017/2023-01-01/0|Wet Kinderopvang]] (English: Childcare Act) states that 'a regional language which is in living use' (Dutch: 'een streektaal in levend gebruik') can be also be used as the medium of instruction, besides Dutch ((Wet Kinderopvang 2004 [Childcare Act]. (2004, July 9). [[https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0017017/2023-01-01/0]].)). This allows for the use of Gronings.
  
-  * Primary education (4-12 years)  +  * Legislation for primary education (4-12 years) 
-In primary education, the [[https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0003420/2023-01-01/0|Wet op het primair onderwijs]] (English: Primary Education Act) states that, when "a regional language which is in lively use", this language can be also be used as the medium of instruction, besides Dutch ((Wet op het primair onderwijs [Eng: Primary Education Act]. (1981, July 2). [[https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0003420/2023-01-01/0]].)). This allows for the use of Gronings, as underlined by the Covenant on the Recognition by The Netherlands of the Low Saxon Regional Language.+
  
-For primary education, attainment targets (in Dutch: //kerndoelen//) for all schools are established on a national level since 1993. The current attainment targets (set in 2006) do not include targets for Low Saxon. The organisation //Ijsselacademie// (a knowledge institute for regional history and Low saxon language and culture) therefore, initiated the development of five [[https://huusvandetaol.nl/nl/kerndoelen-nedersaksisch/|attainment targets for Low Saxon]]] ((Huus van de Taol. (n.d.). //Kerndoelen Nedersaksisch// [Attainment Targets Low Saxon]. Huus van de Taol. Retrieved June 23, 2025, from [[https://huusvandetaol.nl/nl/kerndoelen-nedersaksisch/]].)). The five attainment targets for Low Saxon are based on sixteen attainment targets and five basic skills from the official document, and cover attitude, processing information, speaking skills & vocabulary, writing skills, and history ((Huus van de Taol. (n.d.). //Kerndoelen Nedersaksisch// [Attainment Targets Low Saxon]. Huus van de Taol. Retrieved June 23, 2025, from [[https://huusvandetaol.nl/nl/kerndoelen-nedersaksisch/]].)). New official and national attainment targets are developed and expected to be adopted in August 2026 ((Rijksoverheid. (n.d.). //Vernieuwen curriculum primair onderwijs en voortgezet onderwijs// [Renewal curriculum primary education and secondary education]. Rijkoverheid. Retrieved 23 June, 2025, from [[https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/toekomst-onderwijs/toekomstgericht-curriculum]].)). Concepts published in 2025 include sub-targets for Dutch lessons such as: "to provide space to the various languages and language varieties of the pupils"((SLO. (2025). //Functionele kerndoelen voor Nederlands en rekenen en wiskunde// [Functional attanment targets for Dutch, arithmetics and mathematics]. SLO. [[https://www.actualisatiekerndoelen.nl/updates/kerndoelen-nederlands-en-rekenen-en-wiskunde-gepubliceerd-3]]. original text in Dutch: "ruimte bieden aan verschillende talen en taalvariëteiten van leerlingen.")). Though these attainment targets show more opportunities to include home languages and multilingualism, Low Saxon is not explicitly mentioned (there are attainment targets for [[languages:frisian_in_the_netherlands|Frisian]] in primary education, since 1993). +In primary education, the [[https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0003420/2023-01-01/0|Wet op het primair onderwijs]] (English: Primary Education Act) states that, when 'a regional language which is in living use', this language can be also be used as the medium of instruction, besides Dutch ((Wet op het primair onderwijs [Eng: Primary Education Act]. (1981, July 2). [[https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0003420/2023-01-01/0]].)). This allows for the use of Gronings, as underlined by the Covenant on the Recognition by The Netherlands of the Low Saxon Regional Language.
  
-  * Secondary education (12-16/18 years) +For primary education, attainment targets (Dutch: //kerndoelen//) for all schools have been established for the mandatory curriculum subjects on a national level since 1993. The current attainment targets (set in 2006) do not include targets for Low Saxon. The organisation //IJsselacademie// (a knowledge institute for regional history and Low Saxon language and culture) therefore, initiated the development of five attainment targets for Low Saxon education ((Huus van de Taol. (n.d.). //Kerndoelen Nedersaksisch// [Attainment Targets Low Saxon]. Huus van de Taol. Retrieved June 23, 2025, from [[https://huusvandetaol.nl/nl/kerndoelen-nedersaksisch/]].)). The five attainment targets for Low Saxon are based on sixteen attainment targets and five basic skills from the official attainment targets for e.g. Dutch, Frisian, English, and world orientation, and cover language attitudes, processing information, speaking skills & vocabulary, writing skills, and history ((Huus van de Taol. (n.d.). //Kerndoelen Nedersaksisch// [Attainment Targets Low Saxon]. Huus van de Taol. Retrieved June 23, 2025, from [[https://huusvandetaol.nl/nl/kerndoelen-nedersaksisch/]].)). New official and national attainment targets have been developed and are expected to be adopted in August 2026 ((Rijksoverheid. (n.d.). //Vernieuwen curriculum primair onderwijs en voortgezet onderwijs// [Renewal curriculum primary education and secondary education]. Rijkoverheid. Retrieved 23 June, 2025, from [[https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/toekomst-onderwijs/toekomstgericht-curriculum]].)). Drafts of these new attainment targets published in 2025 include sub-targets for Dutch lessons such as: 'to provide space for the various languages and language varieties of pupils'((SLO. (2025). //Functionele kerndoelen voor Nederlands en rekenen en wiskunde// [Functional attainment targets for Dutch, arithmetics and mathematics]. SLO. [[https://www.actualisatiekerndoelen.nl/updates/kerndoelen-nederlands-en-rekenen-en-wiskunde-gepubliceerd-3]]. original text in Dutch: 'ruimte bieden aan verschillende talen en taalvariëteiten van leerlingen.')). Though these attainment targets show more opportunities to include home languages and multilingualism, Low Saxon is not mentioned explicitly. For comparison, there have been attainment targets for [[languages:frisian_in_the_netherlands|Frisian]] in primary education since 1993.
-The //Wet op het voortgezet onderwijs// (English: Secondary Education Act) allows to deviate from Dutch as language of instruction when the subject is about another language, or when it is necessary to do so for pupils because of their linguistic background ((Wet voortgezet onderwijs 2020, BWBR0044212 [Secondary Education Act of 2020]. (2020, September 30). Retrieved Octobe 15, 2024, from [[https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0044212/2024-01-01/0]].)).+
  
-For the lower grades of secondary education, attainment targets (in Dutch: //kerndoelen//) for all schools are established on a national level since 1993. The current attainment targets (set in 2006) do not include targets for Low Saxon. New attainment targets are developed and expected to be adopted in August 2026 ((Rijksoverheid. (n.d.). //Vernieuwen curriculum primair onderwijs en voortgezet onderwijs// [Renewal curriculum primary education and secondary education]. Rijkoverheid. Retrieved 23 June, 2025, from [[https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/toekomst-onderwijs/toekomstgericht-curriculum]].)). Concepts published in 2025 include similar sub-targets for Dutch lessons as primary education, such as: "to provide space to the various languages and language varieties of the pupils"((SLO. (2025, April 28). //Definitieve conceptkerndoelen Nederlands herziene versie 2025 inclusief toelichtingsdocument// [Final draft attainment targets Dutch revised version 2025 including explanatory document]. SLO. [[https://www.slo.nl/thema/meer/actualisatie-kerndoelen-examenprogramma/actualisatie-kerndoelen/definitieve-conceptkerndoelen-nederlands/@24174/definitieve-conceptkerndoelen-nederlands/]]. original text in Dutch: "ruimte bieden aan verschillende talen en taalvariëteiten van leerlingen.")). These new attainment targets therefore show more opportunities to include home languages and multilingualism, but Low Saxon is not explicitly mentioned (there are attainment targets for [[languages:frisian_in_the_netherlands|Frisian]] in secondary education, since 2006).+  * Legislation for secondary education (12-16/18 years)
  
-  * Vocational education (≥ 16 years)+The //Wet op het voortgezet onderwijs// (English: Secondary Education Act) allows for another language than Dutch to be used as the language of instruction when the subject is about that language, or when it is necessary to do so for pupils because of their linguistic background ((Wet voortgezet onderwijs 2020, BWBR0044212 [Secondary Education Act of 2020]. (2020, September 30). Retrieved October 15, 2024, from [[https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0044212/2024-01-01/0]].)).
  
-In vocational education, the [[https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0007625/2025-01-01|Wet Educatie en Beroepsonderwijs]] (English: Education and Vocational Education Act) states that, when "education is provided and examinations are taken in Dutch" (Art. 7.1.1.). Exceptions for this are made, for example when another language is taught. As such, it is allowed for a vocational school to teach Gronings (as a course). +For the lower grades of secondary education, attainment targets (Dutch: //kerndoelen//) have been established for the mandatory curriculum subjects on a national level since 1993. The current attainment targets (set in 2006) do not include targets for Low Saxon. New attainment targets have been developed and are expected to be adopted in August 2026 ((Rijksoverheid. (n.d.). //Vernieuwen curriculum primair onderwijs en voortgezet onderwijs// [Renewal curriculum primary education and secondary education]. Rijkoverheid. Retrieved 23 June, 2025, from [[https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/toekomst-onderwijs/toekomstgericht-curriculum]].)). Drafts of the new attainment targets published in 2025 include similar sub-targets for Dutch lessons as primary education, such as: 'to provide space for the various languages and language varieties of pupils'((SLO. (2025, April 28). //Definitieve conceptkerndoelen Nederlands herziene versie 2025 inclusief toelichtingsdocument// [Final draft attainment targets Dutch revised version 2025 including explanatory document]. SLO. [[https://www.slo.nl/thema/meer/actualisatie-kerndoelen-examenprogramma/actualisatie-kerndoelen/definitieve-conceptkerndoelen-nederlands/@24174/definitieve-conceptkerndoelen-nederlands/]]. original text in Dutch: 'ruimte bieden aan verschillende talen en taalvariëteiten van leerlingen.')). These new attainment targets therefore show more opportunities to include home languages and multilingualism, but Low Saxon is not explicitly mentioned explicitly. For comparison, there have been attainment targets for [[languages:frisian_in_the_netherlands|Frisian]] in secondary education, since 2006.
  
-  * Higher education (≥ 17 years) 
  
-In higher education, the [[https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0007625/2025-01-01|Wet op het hoger onderwijs en wetenschappelijk onderzoek]] (Eng: Higher Education and Scientific Research Act) states that, when "education is provided and examinations are taken in Dutch" (Art. 7.2.). Exceptions for this are made, for example when another language is taught. As such, it is allowed to teach Gronings (as a course).+  * Legislation for vocational education (≥ 16 years)
  
 +Vocational education does not have national attainment targets, and it is allowed for vocational schools to teach Gronnings, as a subject. 
 +The [[https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0007625/2025-01-01|Wet Educatie en Beroepsonderwijs]] (English: Education and Vocational Education Act) states that Dutch should be the language used for education and examinations (Art. 7.1.1.). Exceptions for this are made, for example when another language is taught.
 + 
 +  * Legislation for higher education (≥ 17 years)
 +
 +The [[https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0007625/2025-01-01|Wet op het hoger onderwijs en wetenschappelijk onderzoek]] (Eng: Higher Education and Scientific Research Act) states that institutes for higher education as well as university hospitals have academic freedom (Art. 1.6.). The same Act states that Dutch should be the language used for education and examinations (Art 7.2), but exceptions are made, for example when another language is taught. As such, it is allowed for higher education institutes to teach Gronings.
    
 ===== Support structure for education of the language: ===== ===== Support structure for education of the language: =====
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 === Institutional support === === Institutional support ===
  
-There are various organisations which (among other things) promote and support Gronings in education, for example: +There are various organisations which (among other things) promote and support Gronings in education, including: 
-  * [[https://cgtc.nl/|Centrum Groninger Taal & Cultuur]]. The Centre for Groninger Language & Culture (CGTC) is a centre for heritage and language of Groningen. It organises adult language courses and cultural and/or language events, creates learning materials, does research and has initiated the digital dictionary WoordWaark.   +  * [[https://cgtc.nl/|Centrum Groninger Taal & Cultuur]]. The Centre for Groninger Language & Culture (CGTC) is a centre for heritage and language of Groningen. It organises adult language courses and cultural and/or language events, creates learning materials, does research and has initiated the digital dictionary WoordWaark. In July 2025, //Centrum Groninger Taal & Cultuur// and  //Erfgoedpartners// (English: Heritage partners) merged and anounced a new name: //Erfgoed in Groningen// (English: Heritage in Groningen). As institute, //Erfgoed in Groningen// supports heritage in Groningen, including Gronings((Centrum Groninger Taal & Cultuur. (2025, July 7). Erfgoed in Groningen: nieuwe naam Centrum Groninger Taal & Cultuur en Erfgoedpartners [Heritage in Groningen: new name Centrum Groninger Taal en Cultuur and Erfgoedpartners]. //Centrum Groninger Taal & Cultuur//. [[https://cgtc.nl/erfgoed-in-groningen-nieuwe-naam-centrum-groninger-taal-cultuur-en-erfgoedpartners/]])). 
-  * [[https://ltnedersaksisch.nl/|Levende Talen Nedersaksisch]]. The Low Saxon department of the teacher association Levende Talen (English: Living Languages)+  * [[https://ltnedersaksisch.nl/|Levende Talen Nedersaksisch]]. The Low Saxon department of the teacher association //Levende Talen// (English: Living Languages)
   * [[https://www.rug.nl/staff/m.b.wieling/|The professor by special appointment of Low Saxon / Groningen Language and Culture]]at the University of Groningen,  on behalf of the Stichting Groninger Universiteitsfonds.    * [[https://www.rug.nl/staff/m.b.wieling/|The professor by special appointment of Low Saxon / Groningen Language and Culture]]at the University of Groningen,  on behalf of the Stichting Groninger Universiteitsfonds. 
   * [[https://www.grunnegercultuur.nl/Grunneger_Cultuur/n_Parredies_veur_laifhebbers_van_de_Grunneger_cultuur.html|Grunneger Cultuurcentrum]] The Groninger Cultural Centre hosts three Groninger organisations: the Stichting t Grunneger Bouk [The association for the Groninger Book], De Boukenkist [a book store], and the magazine //Toal en Taiken//.    * [[https://www.grunnegercultuur.nl/Grunneger_Cultuur/n_Parredies_veur_laifhebbers_van_de_Grunneger_cultuur.html|Grunneger Cultuurcentrum]] The Groninger Cultural Centre hosts three Groninger organisations: the Stichting t Grunneger Bouk [The association for the Groninger Book], De Boukenkist [a book store], and the magazine //Toal en Taiken//. 
 +
 +In April 2025, the //Nij Begun// (English: New Beginning) programme (A 30-year long financial programme to recover and/or improve e.g. housing, economy, and social wellbeing. It was initiated by the Dutch Government in 2023, to compensate for the damages as a result of the gas extraction) published the Social Agenda, which includes 4 million Euros for the promotion of cultural avtivities and the use of Low-Saxon in Groningen and the North of Drenthe. The language is promoted at home (‘Toal op Stee’) and at schools (‘Toal op Schoule’) ((Nij Begun. (2025). Nij Begun: Sociale Agenda. [[https://www.nijbegun.nl/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Sociale-Agenda-Nij-Begun-digitaal.pdf.]].)). As a result, the educational programme //MOI:Meertalig Onderwijs in Grunnen en Drenthe// (English: MOI: Multilingual education in Groningen and Drenthe) was announced in July 2025 ((CGCT. (July 4, 2025). Nieuw onderwijsprogramma MOI brengt Grunnegs en Drèents in de klas [New educational programme MOI brings Gronings and Drents into the classroom]. [[https://cgtc.nl/nieuw-onderwijsprogramma-moi-brengt-grunnegs-en-dreents-in-de-klas/]].)). The project offers primary schools teaching materials, in-service teacher training, and tools in order to include Gronings and Drents in a multilingual setting within their regular lessons. In September 2025, schools can sign up to participate in the project in the school year 2025-2026((CGCT. (July 4, 2025). Nieuw onderwijsprogramma MOI brengt Grunnegs en Drèents in de klas [New educational programme MOI brings Gronings and Drents into the classroom]. [[https://cgtc.nl/nieuw-onderwijsprogramma-moi-brengt-grunnegs-en-dreents-in-de-klas/]].)). 
  
 === Language learning materials === === Language learning materials ===
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 Resources for Gronings are made available for different age groups, but with a focus on primary education.  Resources for Gronings are made available for different age groups, but with a focus on primary education. 
  
-  * [[https://www.klunderloa.nl/|Klunderloa]] [Gronings for "drawer with odd and ends"] is a digital environment with materials for all ages in primary education, for groups 1-2 (ages 4-6), 3-4 (ages 6-8), 5-6 (ages 8-10), and 7-8 (ages 10-12), with songs, stories and poems. Klunderloa is not only aimed at being used in a classroom setting but also at home with caregivers. In 2019 an app game project, also initiated by CGTC, has received funding to teach children the regional language in about 20 villages in Groningen.((NOS. (2019, July 22). Techreus stopt 30.000 euro in onderwijsproject Groningse taal [Tech-giant invests 30.000 in education project on Groning]. [[https://nos.nl/artikel/2294569-techreus-stopt-30-000-euro-in-onderwijs]].)) Created by the Centrum Groninger Taal & Cultuur (CGTC). 
   * [[https://cgtc.nl/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Wiesneus-2025-Grunning-def.pdf|Wiesneus]] is a magazine, published once a year, which schools can receive for free (subsided by the province of Groningen. The Wiesneus project was originally launched for Drents by the [[https://www.huusvandetaol.nl/| Huus van de Toal]] (//engl. House of the Language//) and is now translated into other varieties of Low Saxon, including Gronings. New editions are published in March, which is the month of the regional languages, and includes instructions and materials for teachers, as well as audio files ((CGTC. (2025, March 4). Ook in de Meertmoand Streektoalmoand: De nieuwe Wiesneus komt er aan! [Also in March -Regional Language month: the new Wiesneus is coming!]. [[https://cgtc.nl/ook-in-de-meertmoand-streektoalmoand-de-nieuwe-wiesneus-komt-er-aan/]].)). The Gronings edition is made available by the Centrum Groninger Taal & Cultuur (CGTC).   * [[https://cgtc.nl/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Wiesneus-2025-Grunning-def.pdf|Wiesneus]] is a magazine, published once a year, which schools can receive for free (subsided by the province of Groningen. The Wiesneus project was originally launched for Drents by the [[https://www.huusvandetaol.nl/| Huus van de Toal]] (//engl. House of the Language//) and is now translated into other varieties of Low Saxon, including Gronings. New editions are published in March, which is the month of the regional languages, and includes instructions and materials for teachers, as well as audio files ((CGTC. (2025, March 4). Ook in de Meertmoand Streektoalmoand: De nieuwe Wiesneus komt er aan! [Also in March -Regional Language month: the new Wiesneus is coming!]. [[https://cgtc.nl/ook-in-de-meertmoand-streektoalmoand-de-nieuwe-wiesneus-komt-er-aan/]].)). The Gronings edition is made available by the Centrum Groninger Taal & Cultuur (CGTC).
 +  * [[https://www.klunderloa.nl/|Klunderloa]] [Gronings for "drawer with odd and ends"] is a digital environment with materials for all ages in primary education, for groups 1-2 (ages 4-6), 3-4 (ages 6-8), 5-6 (ages 8-10), and 7-8 (ages 10-12), with songs, stories and poems. Klunderloa is not only aimed at being used in a classroom setting but also at home with caregivers. In 2019 an app game project, also initiated by CGTC, has received funding to teach children the regional language in about 20 villages in Groningen.((NOS. (2019, July 22). Techreus stopt 30.000 euro in onderwijsproject Groningse taal [Tech-giant invests 30.000 in education project on Groning]. [[https://nos.nl/artikel/2294569-techreus-stopt-30-000-euro-in-onderwijs]].)) Created by the Centrum Groninger Taal & Cultuur (CGTC).
   * [[https://ltnedersaksisch.nl/lesmateriaal/|materials for Gronings]], including assignments, songs, stories, poems, and games for all ages in primary education (groups 1-2 (ages 4-6); groups 3,4,5 (ages 6-10); groups 7-8 (ages 10-12). Created by Levende Talen Nedersaksisch.   * [[https://ltnedersaksisch.nl/lesmateriaal/|materials for Gronings]], including assignments, songs, stories, poems, and games for all ages in primary education (groups 1-2 (ages 4-6); groups 3,4,5 (ages 6-10); groups 7-8 (ages 10-12). Created by Levende Talen Nedersaksisch.
 +  * [[https://cgtc.nl/nieuw-onderwijsprogramma-moi-brengt-grunnegs-en-dreents-in-de-klas/|MOI: Meertalig Onderwijs in Grunnen en Drenthe]] (English: MOI: Multilingual Education in Groningen and Drenthe). This will start in 2025-2026, and aims for primary schools to include Gronings within regular lessons, in a multilingual setting. 
   * [[https://www.rug.nl/society-business/scholierenacademie/leraren/op-school/van-old-noar-jong|Lespakket Van Old noar Jong: Aan de slag met de Groninger taal]] [Lessons "From old to young: get started with the Groninger language]. This package is aimed for primary school, groups 7-8 (ages 10-12). It encouraged pupils to discuss and discover more about Gronings within their family and environment. It includes a game, assigments, and instructions for the teacher. Created by the University of Groningen.   * [[https://www.rug.nl/society-business/scholierenacademie/leraren/op-school/van-old-noar-jong|Lespakket Van Old noar Jong: Aan de slag met de Groninger taal]] [Lessons "From old to young: get started with the Groninger language]. This package is aimed for primary school, groups 7-8 (ages 10-12). It encouraged pupils to discuss and discover more about Gronings within their family and environment. It includes a game, assigments, and instructions for the teacher. Created by the University of Groningen.
  
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 ===== Education presence ===== ===== Education presence =====
  
-==== preschool education====+==== pre-school education==== 
 + 
 +The use of Gronings is allowed, but not a compulsory part of pre-school education. Therefore, pre-School locations can decide if they want to use the regional language, next to Dutch ((Rijksoverheid. (n.d.). //Wanneer mag ik het Nedersaksisch (zoals het Gronings, Drents of Twents) gebruiken? // [When may I use Low Saxon (such as Gronings, Drents or Twents)?]. Retrieved 2025, March 18, from [[https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/erkende-talen/vraag-en-antwoord/wanneer-nedersaksisch-gebruiken))]].)).
  
-The education law does not declare the use of Gronings to be compulsory in preschools. Preschools may decide themselves if they choose to use the regional language, next to Dutch ((Rijksoverheid. (n.d.). //Wanneer mag ik het Nedersaksisch (zoals het Gronings, Drents of Twents) gebruiken? // [When may I use Low Saxon (such as Gronings, Drents or Twents)?]. Retrieved 2025, March 18, from [[https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/erkende-talen/vraag-en-antwoord/wanneer-nedersaksisch-gebruiken))]].)). 
  
 ==== primary education==== ==== primary education====
  
-Similarly to preschool, primary schools may also choose on their own whether or not they want to use Gronings in class ((Rijksoverheid. (n.d.). //Wanneer mag ik het Nedersaksisch (zoals het Gronings, Drents of Twents) gebruiken? // [When may I use Low Saxon (such as Gronings, Drents or Twents)?]. Retrieved 2025, March 18, from [[https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/erkende-talen/vraag-en-antwoord/wanneer-nedersaksisch-gebruiken))]].)).+Similarly to preschool, it's allowed, but not mandatory to include Gronings in education. Primary schools thus may decide whether or not they want to use Gronings in class ((Rijksoverheid. (n.d.). //Wanneer mag ik het Nedersaksisch (zoals het Gronings, Drents of Twents) gebruiken? // [When may I use Low Saxon (such as Gronings, Drents or Twents)?]. Retrieved 2025, March 18, from [[https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/erkende-talen/vraag-en-antwoord/wanneer-nedersaksisch-gebruiken))]].)).
  
 +Some primary schools use Gronings but it is not yet structurally implemented ((CGTC. (n.d.). //Streektaal en onderwijs// [Regional language and education]. Retrieved on October, 23, 2020, from [[https://www.cgtc.nl/2019/12/11/olaf-vos-nieuwe-streektaalconsulent-bij-centrum-groninger-taal-cultuur/]].)) When schools integrate Gronings they often do this in the course of a project ((CGTC. (n.d.). //Streektaal en onderwijs// [Regional language and education]. Retrieved on October, 23, 2020, from [[https://www.cgtc.nl/2019/12/11/olaf-vos-nieuwe-streektaalconsulent-bij-centrum-groninger-taal-cultuur/]].)). An example is the primary school //De Regenboog// in Bedum, which includes Gronings from group 4 (ages 7-8) and onwards by means of the "Groninger gallery"((CGTC. (2025, March 5). //Basisschool De Regenboog in Bedum viert streektaal met uitreiking Wiesneus// [Primay school De Regenboog in Bedum celebrates regional language with Wiesneus]. [[https://cgtc.nl/basisschool-de-regenboog-in-bedum-viert-streektaal-met-uitreiking-wiesneus/]].)). Around 80 primary schools in Groningen requested the magazine //Wiesneus// in 2025 ((CGCT. (2025, May 20). //Wiesneus magazine 2025: Winnaars puzzels en kleurploat bekend! //[Wiesneus magazine 2025: the winners of the puzzle and colouring contests are here!]. [[https://cgtc.nl/wiesneus-magazine-2025-winnaars-puzzels-en-kleurploat-bekend/]].)). 
  
-Some primary schools use Gronings but it is not yet structurally implemented ((CGTC. (n.d.). //Streektaal en onderwijs// [Regional language and education]. Retrieved on October, 23, 2020, from [[https://www.cgtc.nl/2019/12/11/olaf-vos-nieuwe-streektaalconsulent-bij-centrum-groninger-taal-cultuur/]].)) When schools integrate Gronings they often do this in the course of a project ((CGTC. (n.d.). //Streektaal en onderwijs// [Regional language and education]. Retrieved on October, 23, 2020, from [[https://www.cgtc.nl/2019/12/11/olaf-vos-nieuwe-streektaalconsulent-bij-centrum-groninger-taal-cultuur/]].)). A primary school which includes Gronings from group 4 (ages 7-8) and onwards by means of the "Groninger gallery", is the primary school De Regenboog in Bedum ((CGTC. (2025, March 5). //Basisschool De Regenboog in Bedum viert streektaal met uitreiking Wiesneus// [Primay school De Regenboog in Bedum celebrates regional language with Wiesneus]. [[https://cgtc.nl/basisschool-de-regenboog-in-bedum-viert-streektaal-met-uitreiking-wiesneus/]].)) 
  
 +In July 2025, the new initiative //MOI: Meertalig Onderwijs in Grunnen en Drenthe// was launched, which aims for primary schools to include Gronings (see [[languages:gronings_in_the_netherlands#institutional support|institutional support]]). It will offer teaching materials, in-service teacher training, and tools in order to include Gronings and Drents in a multilingual setting within regular lessons. Schools can sign up to participate in the project in the school year 2025-2026((CGCT. (July 4, 2025). Nieuw onderwijsprogramma MOI brengt Grunnegs en Drèents in de klas [New educational programme MOI brings Gronings and Drents into the classroom]. [[https://cgtc.nl/nieuw-onderwijsprogramma-moi-brengt-grunnegs-en-dreents-in-de-klas/]].)). 
  
 ==== secondary education ==== ==== secondary education ====
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 ==== adult education ==== ==== adult education ====
  
-CGCT organises various courses for adults to learn Gronings, aimed at speaking skills, writing skills, and at beginning and advanced learners. In March 2025, CGCT also launched an online beginner course, the MOOC Gronings ((Piek, C. (2025, March 6). Een eerste stap naar Gronings spreken: alles over de nieuwe MOOC Gronings [A first step towards speaking Gronings: all you need to know about the new MOO Gronings]. [[https://cgtc.nl/een-eerste-stap-naar-gronings-spreken-alles-over-de-nieuwe-mooc-gronings/]].))+CGCT organises various courses for adults to learn Gronings, for examoke, beginners' speaking skills, advanced speakning skills, and writing skills. In March 2025, CGCT also launched an online beginner course, the MOOC Gronings ((Piek, C. (2025, March 6). Een eerste stap naar Gronings spreken: alles over de nieuwe MOOC Gronings [A first step towards speaking Gronings: all you need to know about the new MOO Gronings]. [[https://cgtc.nl/een-eerste-stap-naar-gronings-spreken-alles-over-de-nieuwe-mooc-gronings/]].))
  
  
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 ==== higher education ==== ==== higher education ====
  
-In 2018 the [[https://www.rug.nl/|University of Groningen]] introduced a professor by special appointment of Low Saxon/Groningen Language and Culture. ((University of Groningen. News Article. 20.09.2018: https://www.rug.nl/news/2018/09/martijn-wieling-new-professor-by-special-appointment-of-low-saxon-groningen-language-and-cult?lang=en (last date of retrieval: 27.10.2020) )) This appointment is tightly connected to the Faculty of Arts and the [[https://www.cgtc.nl/| Centrum Groninger Taal & Cultuur (CGTC)]]. The special appointment aims at strengthening the position of Gronings within the province and also in academia. \\ +From 1953 to 2010, Low Saxon was studied at the Low Saxon Institute at the University of Groningen (//Nedersaksisch Instituut//)((Geheugen van Drenthe. (n.d.). //Nedersaksisch Instituut//. Geheugen van Drenthe. Retrieved June 30, 2025, from [[https://geheugenvandrenthe.nl/encyclopedie-drenthe/nedersaksisch-instituut]].)). The institute covered various disciplines, including literature, lexicography, folklore, and  regional history. The institute was led by professor K.H. Heeroma (1953-1972), professor H. Entjes (1974-1982), and professor H. Niebaum (1984-2010)((Geheugen van Drenthe. (n.d.). //Nedersaksisch Instituut//. Geheugen van Drenthe. Retrieved June 30, 2025, from [[https://geheugenvandrenthe.nl/encyclopedie-drenthe/nedersaksisch-instituut]].)). 
  
 +Since 2018, there has been a chair by special appointment for the Low Saxon/Groningen Language and Culture at the university of Groningen. Professor by special appointment M. Wieling has one day a week to research the Low Saxon languages, Gronings in particular, and to work on as well as to promote research projects such as //Woordwark//((Rijksuniversiteit Groningen. (2018, September 20). //Martijn Wieling: new professor by special appointment of Low Saxon/Groningen Language and Culture//. Rijksuniversiteit Groningen. [[https://www.rug.nl/news/2018/09/martijn-wieling-new-professor-by-special-appointment-of-low-saxon-groningen-language-and-cult]].)). This appointment on behalf of the Stichting Groninger Universiteitsfonds is closely connected to the //Centrum Groninger Taal & Cultuur//((Rijksuniversiteit Groningen. (2018, September 20). //Martijn Wieling: new professor by special appointment of Low Saxon/Groningen Language and Culture//. Rijksuniversiteit Groningen. [[https://www.rug.nl/news/2018/09/martijn-wieling-new-professor-by-special-appointment-of-low-saxon-groningen-language-and-cult]].)).
 ===== Online learning resources ===== ===== Online learning resources =====
  
languages/gronings_in_the_netherlands.1751443041.txt.gz · Last modified: by ydwine