Lia Step

Resident of Fonteinbos Lia Stap organizes a fun and educational talk every Monday. Many fellow residents of the flat speak little or no Dutch. Often this is not out of reluctance, but people just don't get into regular conversation with Dutch people. This results in less contact with neighbors and sometimes less understanding. And that's a shame in Lia's opinion. "Every contact starts with a small talk. And you learn a language mainly by doing." This is how Lia got the idea to organize something. She took a course at the library where they learned to learn to talk to each other in a simple way with simple word exercises and games.

Doing something for and with others gives satisfaction

Lia is really an involved resident. She is very active in the residents' committee and gets satisfaction from it. "I've always done volunteer work. Also at my children's schools I was always helping out." Lia has lived at home in the apartment on Fountain Forest with her husband and one more child for 5 years. She likes it very much and especially enjoys the green surroundings. "Next to the high-rise there is a beautiful park where you can take a nice walk and I also like to go to the petting zoo with my grandson."

Learning to speak Dutch while playing

Back to chatterbox, chatterbox! Everything starts with a chat and you can leave that to Lia. With a chat you make contact and get to know people. And that, in turn, is good for the feeling in the apartment. Her approach is simple, with word spins where she writes down a word and asks people to make a sentence with that word. And then not a sentence of 30 words right away, no just short. Like the word Apple. The apple is green. I like an apple. She doesn't call it a language class because that's way too heavy for what it is. It's informal, approachable and fun is paramount. You don't get homework and you don't have to do anything. Anything goes. Children are also welcome to come along. When the parents are busy talking, there are games, books of everything for the kids to do.

Welcome to Chatmaker

So for all Fountain Forest residents whose Dutch is their 2nd language, come by and have a chat! In Dutch. That is. Coffee and tea will be ready. And that includes something sweet.

Monday evenings from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m., residents' room Fountain Grove 1D.

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