You need to write a text. A blog, an email or perhaps a longer report. How do you make sure your text is incisive and inviting? How do you make it as engaging as possible for your reader? These seven golden rules of writing are a great place to start. Follow them and you can be sure that your text will be watertight and your message crystal clear.

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.

Writing as a PhD student is more than just an academic exercise; it's an odyssey of intellectual discovery and scientific contribution. Whether crafting your dissertation or preparing your next paper, the process can seem overwhelming. Six steps to help you kickstart your writing with a clear and focused approach.

Writing as a PhD student is more than just an academic exercise; it's an odyssey of intellectual discovery and scientific contribution. Whether crafting your dissertation or preparing your next paper, the process can seem overwhelming. Six steps to help you kickstart your writing with a clear and focused approach.

The language of science is often steeped in complex terminology and concepts. It can be particularly difficult for international PhD students to communicate their work to a wider audience. Yet effective science communication is essential for promoting public understanding and support for science. Here's how to translate your research into layman's terms without losing the essence.

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.