Dutch lessons to start at UCC

UNIVERSITY College Cork is offering beginner lessons in Dutch, starting this month. The course will begin on Thursday, February 22, and will cost €70 for the five weeks.

Dr Rachel MagShamhráin, head of the Department of German, told The Echo that there has been a surge in interest in the language.

“Dutch, which is the third most widely-spoken Germanic language, after English and German, is the eighth most spoken language of the European Union,” said Dr MagShamhráin.

“It is also widely spoken elsewhere, including in Namibia and Suriname. There are several possible reasons for increasing interest from learners, including the number of multinationals based in the Netherlands, where Dutch is the majority language, as well as the fact that Dutch and English have many linguistic similarities, making its acquisition easier for English speakers.”

The Netherlands has become a popular destination for Irish students, with 2,040 of them enrolled there for the 2022-23 term.

“In this beginners’ course, participants will be given a basic introduction to the Dutch language, learn to engage in basic conversation, and gain a basic understanding of Dutch culture,” she said.

Dr MagShamhráin noted that the course will only run if a minimum number of applicants is reached, and those expressing an interest will be contacted by Friday, February 16, to confirm that the course is running and to receive payment information.

The course will run from 6pm to 8pm, commencing Thursday, February 22, and will continue until March 21. Further information on the course and details on registration can be found online at ucc.ie, by searching ‘courses’.