Inspiration
Originally from Eritrea, the 29-year-old Krtash Semere has been living in the Netherlands for three years. She loves technology and is happy that she has since started her mbo education in Electrical Engineering. 'In my native country I worked as a mechanic for four years. I want to do that now in the Netherlands. "
Krtash is eager to learn and that is why she did not want to start working immediately. She chose to study technology in addition to integration. TopTaal gave her the opportunity to do her integration exam in the evenings, so she could go to the Technical School during the day. She is now studying Electrical Engineering. At the MBO (intermediate vocational education) she only gets one hour of Dutch per week. Far too little, she thinks. Because with the Dutch taal she doesn't feel comfortable yet. She would like to taalwould like to improve skill at a faster pace.
Taal is important when you go to work or want to learn a trade
Krtash: 'The courses of TopTaal were very good. I learned to speak, read, and listen. I passed my Listening, Reading, and Writing exams. I still need to get the results for Speaking. Taal is important when you start working or when you want to learn a trade. Now I'm going to take the ONA course (Orientation on the Dutch Labor Market) in the evenings. It's mandatory for integration. The lessons are very important.
The hardest part of the Dutch taal Krtash appreciates the multitude of meanings a word can have. Eritrean is more consistent in this regard, she says. What complicates the lessons is the fact that she thinks so much about her husband. The couple married ten years ago, but there's little chance her husband can come to the Netherlands. Yet she remains hopeful. "I live alone in the Netherlands now. My family lives in Eritrea. I really long to see my husband again."
More storiesThe courses of TopTaal were very good. I learned to speak, read and listen