Blogs & News

Working as an English language trainer and course developer in the Netherlands, I’ve witnessed firsthand the growing internationalization of our society. This is especially evident in the healthcare sector, where dedicated Dutch providers are increasingly working with patients from all over the world—many of whom don’t yet speak Dutch. The responsibility of explaining medical information and offering compassionate care in English—often a second language for everyone involved—is significant. This growing need has led TC-VU to expand our focus, and I’ve had the privilege of developing and delivering specialized English language training for healthcare professionals.

A growing number of companies and organisations in the Netherlands employ a mix of people from different language backgrounds. While this mix of languages and cultures can enrich people’s working lives, it also comes with risks. This is especially true when it comes to safety at work. A recent press release from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment warns that clear communication in a multilingual workplace requires extra vigilance.

About to give your first poster presentation at a professional group meeting, symposium or conference? No need for stress. Let our academic trainer Laetis Kuipers help you on your way. Laetis has a wealth of experience when it comes to coaching researchers, perfecting their presentations and honing their academic writing skills.

Can machine translation handle creative texts? Learn when human expertise is essential for preserving tone, style and meaning.

As a researcher, you are used to writing about your research. This mostly involves writing for journals or your fellow researchers. But what if you want your work to reach a wider audience? If that’s your goal, you need to connect with a wider audience. And that means taking up the challenge of science communication. A summary aimed at a wider audience – known in the world of research as a lay summary – is a great way to achieve this.

Taalcentrum-VU Freelancers’ Day 2022.

How do I know .. when I should use sometime, some time or sometimes?

One construction in English that can pose difficulties for non-native speakers is this one: I look forward to seeing you next week. This phrase can sound incorrect to many non-native speakers, who have dutifully learned that to is followed by a verb in the infinitive, not an -ing form. They feel 'sure' that this sentence should be I'm looking forward to see you next week. Well, no. With this phrase, a different rule is being applied.

The Taalcentrum-VU translation process consists of three steps: project coordination, the translation itself and revision. In this three-part series on the translation process, we explain what’s involved in each step.

The prospect of Brexit still looms large, and Dutch and British companies alike face a long list of challenges as a result. Intercultural communication is tricky enough as it is, and Brexit isn’t likely to make things any easier. That’s why Taalcentrum-VU is launching a website to help companies that are struggling with Brexit-related communication problems.

The Taalcentrum-VU translation process consists of three steps: project coordination, the translation itself and revision. In this three-part series on the translation process, we explain what’s involved in each step.

The Taalcentrum-VU translation process consists of three steps: project coordination, the translation itself and revision. In this three-part series on the translation process, we explain what’s involved in each step.