1. English and mathematics are not enemies

A course in two foreign languages plus mathematics is the main feature of the following recipe from Aleid Knoote, Wilfried Meffert and Kees Smit from VASVU – Free University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Ingredients:

* A course for future university graduates, who will shortly require mathematics (for such courses as economics, and computer science)
* The language of the country of study as a first foreign language (in this case: Dutch)
* A second foreign language which is relevant to the programme of study (in this case: English)

Preparation:

Specialist texts are selected in the language which is required for the programme of study (in this case English), which students must work through. Thereafter, the results are discussed, presented and recorded in groups. This work is carried out in the language being taught (in this case: the first foreign language Dutch). This results in improved understanding of both foreign languages, as well as a more in-depth knowledge of the programme of study.

A special flavour:

As a preliminary study component, this project provides an important additional benefit. Students gain impressions of everyday life and of the real demands of forthcoming studies in their chosen subject.

Would you like to know more?

Click here for a more detailed description of the project!
You can contact the project managers at as.knoote@let.vu.nl, cwm.meffert@let.vu.nl and at cp.smith@let.vu.nl.