In this edition of the CEStafette Jerom Ebenau is interviewed by LIEK SCHREEL
HI Jerom, nice to talk TO you again. We had a meet & greet some time ago when we both had just started at the UT, but it is great to catch up!
So, I know a little bit about you, but many others will not know you. Can you tell us a bit more about yourself?
I work at UTLC as a teacher of Dutch as a second language (NT2). I teach and develop courses, both online and on campus but I also support new colleagues when it comes to using Canvas for teaching, how our courses are designed, how to use our materials and tests etc. It is very varied and I really like that. Before starting to work at UT I studied linguistics in Leiden. During my bachelor’s I specialised in descriptive linguistics. This discipline focuses on describing languages, primarily to preserve endangered languages and the culture around them. We were encouraged to each specialise in one specific language, but also studied languages like Tiriyó (spoken in Brazil and Suriname), Wolof (native to Senegal, Mauritania and Gambia) and Peruvian Quechua, as well as a few sign languages. I enjoyed my bachelor programme which focused mainly on reduplication as a cross-linguistic phenomenon: reduplication concerns doubling (part of) a word to create a (new) meaning: in Dutch, for example, students often distinguish thuis ‘home’ and thuis-thuis ‘home-home’, where the former refers to their student housing, whereas the latter is their family’s home. At the end of my bachelor’s and during my master’s I focused more on phonology, especially that of Vietnamese spoken by second-generation speakers in the Netherlands.
What have you been up to since the last time we met?
I have been busy! When we first met, we were still teaching online due to the pandemic and it was mostly teaching and using ICT for teaching. Now I am more involved in the development of new courses and ICT questions are handled by others. I also offer office hours for students to ask questions about Dutch pronunciation and grammar.
Another project is the creation of a reader with folk and fairy tales from various cultures at UT. I ask Dutch learners to try and translate a story at their current level of Dutch. Then, we record the story in both the original language and in Dutch, so that we have the story in both languages in both audio and writing. This way, we can show the diversity of the UT population, increase cultural awareness and support NT2 learners at the same time by offering them interesting reading and listening materials. The project is progressing slowly, but a lot of fun. So, if there are any colleagues who would like to share stories, please contact me!
Bellettrie, the UT Student Library, and UTLC have also been in touch to work together on starting an NT2 Dutch book club. There are publishers who are specialised in books for NT2 learners. These can be simplified versions of Dutch novels or specifically written for NT2 learners. The idea is that Bellettrie would facilitate this, for example, by buying the books and lending them to the students. Due to changing boards at Bellettrie, this is also progressing slowly.
Finally, I am teaching a new self-study Dutch course, which is online, and I am involved in the minor Going Dutch, which is rather popular. It consists of language teaching, adjusting to the Dutch labour market and consultancy.
That sounds so interesting! Especially in the current political climate where there is a lot of pressure on international students to remain here. Do you already notice a difference in the Dutch courses?
Among the minor students there did not seem to be much concern yet about the internationalisation debate. But during intake interviews I notice that students and staff more often mention they want to use Dutch professionally, so maybe there is more awareness of the debate as well.
What is it that you like so much about your job? And about working at the UTLC/CES/UT?
My job is very varied and I especially like the interaction with the learners. It is great to see them make progress and to see their confidence grow. Teaching hardly feels like working sometimes. UTLC has a really nice atmosphere and great colleagues. This is my first ‘real’ job and I feel like I have been very lucky. There is room for innovation, and space for growth, and I can really contribute.
The UTLC has a bit of a strange position in the UT. Many people don’t even know that we exist, while we also offer courses in academic skills and various languages. Also, within CES we are somewhat isolated as we have a different profile. I have been in contact with TELT-colleagues a few times since they have so much knowledge to offer on online learning, but perhaps I can learn more from them for our self-study courses. Due to my classes mostly being scheduled in the evenings, it is often not possible for me to attend the success cafés or other events, which would be great opportunities to meet CES colleagues.
But what we share with all of CES is that we are there for anyone who wants to learn with us, we really want to support them in their learning. And that is something that is true for the whole of CES.
I am a dedicated tea drinker. One of the major tea brands has these labels with questions on them, so as a fun question, I would like to ask you to answer two of them! Where would you go if you could fly like a bird for one day?
I would like to go back to Vietnam. During my studies, I was there on a study visa that did not allow me to see the sights. I would like to meet my friends there, as well as in Taiwan. I have learned some Vietnamese during my studies and I would really like to use it again.
Would you travel to space if you had the opportunity?
No, I think it is very expensive and bad for the environment. I am already not keen on flying, let alone flying into space! But it must be a special experience to see the earth from above.
Thank you so much for making time for this interview, especially when you are busy with exams and corrections. It was nice to catch up and I am happy that our CES colleagues can get to know you a little bit as well.
