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| Hart voor Amsterdam’s Native Speaker Project |
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The Native Speaker Project is a great way for English-speaking expats to get involved in the local community! Now, it’s easier than ever to join in and become a volunteer.
The Native Speaker Project began as a joint venture between Hart voor Amsterdam, ING Bank and Calvijn met Junior College. Its mission was simple: to help increase the English fluency levels of VMBO students by bringing them into contact with native English speakers. Starting in 2007, ING employees committed to spending 1.5 hours per week at the Calvijn met Junior College. There they helped to facilitate English speaking practice with the students. This model was extremely successful and both students and volunteers benefited from interacting with one another. Now, various VMBO schools have expressed an interest in participating in the Native Speaker Project as well which means the NSP needs more native English speakers!
In the past, Native Speaker Volunteers have come from corporations such as ING and GE. However, due to the increasing need for English-speaking volunteers, Hart voor Amsterdam is actively recruiting English speakers from all over Amsterdam.
To expedite the process, Hart voor Amsterdam has created a streamlined approach to becoming a volunteer. The first step is contacting the Native Speaker Project Coordinator, Dominique Cordier. Next, prospective volunteers will be invited for an intake interview where they will fill out basic paperwork and discuss scheduling preferences. After the intake interview is complete, volunteers are asked to attend a short training that provides them with tools and tips on facilitating effective speaking practice. Finally, volunteers are assigned to schools where they remain for the duration of their commitment.
Below are a few more details about the NSP:
• Participating students are first year VMBO students usually 12-13 years old.
• Participating schools are located in Amsterdam.
• Volunteers are asked to commit a minimum of 1.5 hours per week to helping students practice English
• speaking skills.
• Hart voor Amsterdam and participating schools provide all speaking tasks and activities conducted in the
• classroom.
• Non-native English speakers with high levels of English proficiency are welcome to participate.
If you’d like to use your English language ability to make a difference in Amsterdam, please contact Dominique Cordier:
Stichting Hart voor Amsterdam
Dominique Cordier, Project Manager
Herengracht 218
1016 BT Amsterdam
T: (020) 637 53 75
E: dominique@hartvooramsterdam.nl
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