News

News stories

Keep up to date with all the happenings in Dutch Studies.
Group of about 1 students with warms clothes on in a beer garden
Ben with the Nederlandse Vereniging, Dutch Student Society. Ben top right

Opening doors: Ben Ganpatsingh on studying Dutch

“A positive learning environment and close friendships!” Ben Ganpatsingh (BA Economics and Modern Languages and Cultures) looks back on two years of studying Dutch.
poster to announce the theatre production M/Hond/Jongen and an image of two students in woolly hats facing each other

Out of the comfort zone, into the limelight

My name is Lily and I’m currently in my second year studying German, Dutch and Philosophy, and this year I stepped out of my comfort zone and took part in the Dutch Play as part of the Modern Languages Drama Festival.

Registration online Dutch courses to start February 2025

In February 2025 the University of Sheffield will start with TWO online language courses, specially designed for people who want to learn Dutch from the comfort of their own home.

group of eight young people on a station platform. Belgian train is visible on the right

Dutch Summer Schools 2025

A summer course is a great opportunity to give your language learning a boost and put the language skills you have acquired into practice with learners from all over the world.
Author Raoul de Jong looking to nothing in particular.
Raoul de Jong (c) Jan Rosseel

Dutch Visiting Author 2024: Raoul de Jong

Dutch author Raoul de Jong is visiting Sheffield Dutch Studies in December 2024. Translator John Eyck will join us from New York. Our public presentation will be on Tuesday 17 December at 5pm in Diamond Workroom 2. All welcome.

night scene with students, one in a high viz jacket and most dressed in orange, on a night out

Who and what: The Nederlandse Vereniging 24-25

The Nederlandse Vereniging, or Dutch Society, is the throbbing heart of Dutch Studies at Sheffield. Here is who they are and what they plan to do.
four students smiling at the camera for this selfie taken in Ghent

What a Summer School can do for you!

The summer is a time for rest and relaxation (yes) and opportunities (certainly). Lena Bradley used her time well to attend the Taalunie Dutch Summer School in Ghent, Belgium. She reports on her experience.

Four people standing next to each other against a colourful background, smiling
Participants Aggie, Lottie, Emma and John

ALCS Dutch Summer School 2024 in Sheffield

As part of our 75 Years of Dutch, we welcomed the ALCS Summer School at Sheffield. Twenty-four students from all over the UK, five language tutors, four guests and many excursions all packed into an exciting week of hard work. 
Students in a park. one Big smile in fron of the camera because this is a selfie

Will I be fluent if I start a new language?

At Sheffield we offer ab initio course for all our languages. This means that you can start a language from scratch. But many wonder, "is it not too late? Will I be any good?" Yes you will, and this is how we do it.
screen saying welcome to the event with two bottles of tulips and a tree in the foreground

Our 75th Anniversary Celebrations

The academic year 23-24 marks 75 Years of Dutch Studies at the University of Sheffield. We are celebrating our anniversary with a range of events for current students, researchers and alumni.

group of actors in a spotlight looking in. In the background it reads Bezoek is een intermezzo

Dutch on Stage 2024: EGEL(the longing of)HEDGEHOG

EGEL(the longing of)HEDGEHOG, was this year's Dutch theatre production. Written and directed by Filip De Ceuster based on a story by Toon Tellegen. Our single performance went down a storm. Cat George was our on site reporter.
Student in front of Forum in Groningen

My Year Abroad in Groningen

Hannah Bilsby spent the first half of her Third Year abroad in Groningen in the Netherlands. "My only regret now is that I couldn’t do the whole year in Groningen."

Thre students looking at a piece of paper and clearly debating something

Students translate and publish sample of Flemish novel

Students of Dutch made a sample translation of 'Honingeter' (2022), by Flemish novelist Tülin Erkan. The translation is now published on a major international cultural platform. Theo Taylor reports.

writer Tülin Erkan leaning against a wall, dressed in a jeans jacket and shoulder length dark hair
Tülin Erkan. Photo: Wouter van Vooren

Tülin Erkan: Lost in Multilingualism

Belgian author Tülin Erkan is visiting Sheffield Dutch Studies from 6 - 9 December 2023.
foyer of a building in which you see a poster exhibition and a banner which says slavery ten true stories about Dutch slavery

Exhibition: Ten true stories of Dutch colonial slavery

A special edition of the Amsterdam Rijksmuseum exhibition 'Slavery' is on display in the foyer of Jessop West from 9-29 October 2023.
artist Paulien Cornelisse in a red jumper looks at the camera while supporting her hear on the side
Artist in Residence Paulien Cornelisse (image: Frank Ruiter)

Artist in Residence: Paulien Cornelisse

Dutch at Sheffield is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Throughout 23-24, we host a programme of events and we welcome a special guest. Our Artist in Residence is writer, documentary maker, and comedian Paulien Cornelisse.

five students with arms around each other pose in against a garden backdrop.
The authors among fellow NV committee members: Lottie, Lena, Dan, Summer and Sophie

“It’s been an amazing year!”

As we are getting ready for a new academic year we’d like to take a moment to look back at our first year in Dutch Studies and to welcome new students with a taste of what’s to come. By Lena (NV President), Sophie (Secretary) and Lottie (Publicity).
Two young women sheltering their eyes looking into an audience

Performing History: Dutch Play 2023

On 14 March 2023, the Sheffield Drama Studio was home to the cast and crew of 'Kom Terug! A Course of History', the Dutch contribution to the Modern Languages Drama Festival.

image of a hand with a piece of chalk and the words Kom Terug (come back) to announce a play on 14 March at 7.30 in the Drama studio

Kom Terug: Dutch Performance 2023

What do existential dinosaurs, falafel and criminally slow texting have in common? They all featured in Week One of the rehearsals for the Dutch Society play of course! 
Student showing little Miffy doll

Language tips for Dutch confidence

You can't beat that Third Year Abroad immersive language experience, but there are plenty of ways to improve your language outside of the classroom. Hannah Bilsby, Vice President of the NV (Dutch Society) shares some fun and effective resources.
a compilation of images of the Flemish author Maurice Gilliams

Filip De Ceuster: Expert on Maurice Gilliams

As one of the few experts on Flanders' prominent author Maurice Gilliams, Sheffield’s Dr Filip De Ceuster contributed to a four-part podcast series discussing the life and works of this intriguing author.

Student on a swing smiling in a garden
Bryony on the swing during the Dutch 'Borrel' 2022

Looking back at four years in Dutch Studies

Many students at the School of Languages and Cultures choose a new language in their first or second year. When Bryony Horsey arrived in Sheffield in 2018, she decided to pick up Dutch. She graduated last summer and looks back on her experience.
7 people standing on a metal stairs in what looks like a power station. Very Berlin vibe
Such Fun Team 2022: Poppy 3rd from the left next to Rachel and Alice 2nd from the right

Dutch Studies Year Abroad: Top tips

We are about to start our Third Year Abroad preparation cycle. In Dutch Studies this means a choice of university study, teaching English, a placement, or a combination. Alice Willett and Poppy Mainwaring are currently abroad and offer advice.
5 students on bikes looking at the camera smiling
Students on the ALCS Summer Course

First Dutch Summer School in the UK: A summer highlight

Dutch at Sheffield, together with UCL and the University of Edinburgh, organised and delivered our first UK Summer School for Dutch under the auspices of the Association for Low Countries Studies (ALCS). Sheffield student Emma Halliburton reports.
Group of students smiling and cheering

Welcome from the Dutch Society 2022-23

Welkom bij de Nederlandse Vereniging! We are happy to introduce the new committee members of the Dutch Society 2022 and to present our plans for the next academic year.
Two young women smiling with ice cream in their hands
Taalunie Language Assistants Kirith Bongaards (Utrecht) and Rebecca Langenkamp (Nijmegen)

In praise of our Taalunie Language Assistants

Each year at Sheffield we welcome our Taalunie Language Assistants. These students from the Netherlands or Flanders bring their up-to-date language and experience to our language sessions. We talked to Kirith and Rebecca about their experience.

Three students in gowns smiling
Lydia Cope (ALCS Essay Prize), Gemma Blacker (ALCS UG Dissertation Prize), Jordi Briton (Netherlands Embassy Book Prize))

Congratulations to our graduates and award winners

It is that festive time in our academic year. We celebrate the success of all our students and we add a special mention to our university and national award winners.
Dutch word with a drawing of 4 male figures who walk up and down to illustrate the meaning of the word ijsberen: to pace up and down impatiently or with lack of purpose

My favourite word in Dutch

We all have them: favourite words. It can be the sound, the meaning, or the way it makes us feel. We conducted an entirely unscientific enquiry into favourite words during our End of Year party. We present: Sheffield's favourite Dutch words.
Two young women in front of a Dutch flag with their course book

What a difference a (first) year makes!

Looking back on their First Year, Esther and Hannah report: "When we think back to ourselves this time last year, 460 kilometres apart, in Newcastle and London respectively, it’s hard to believe that we couldn’t speak a word of Dutch."
Grouo of about 20 students with tutors and guest author
Translation Project with Taalunie guest author Rashif El Kaoui (2nd row, far left). Lauren Dalton 2nd row, right)

Dutch Finalists translate theatre text by Belgian writer Rashif El Kaoui

We were delighted to host the Belgian writer, actor, rapper and podcaster Rashif El Kaoui as our Writer in Residence 2022. Finalists in Dutch translated El Kaoui’s critically acclaimed theatre text 'De bastaard'. Lauren Dalton reports.
Student on stage with arms stretched out
Dutch Play: Baltazar Krull heeft een vraag

Dutch Play 2022: Baltazar Krull stole our hearts

Our formidable Dutch Society (Nederlandse Vereniging) put on a play on 21 March 2022. It was our contribution to the SLC Drama Festival 2022. Mari Hauer and Emma Haliburton reported on our progress: 'Baltazar Krull's heart Sings Moonshine'.

teacher surrounded by kids waving little Dutch flags. Everybody is smiling
Dutch Year Abroad: Teaching

My year abroad so far

Alisha Mallya (BAMLC German, Dutch, Luxembourgish) is on her Third Year Abroad in the Netherlands. She is studying at the University of Nijmegen and she works as an English tutor in Den Bosch. She reports on her first few weeks.

beach background with two announcements of summer courses in Dutch language summer courses

Dutch Summer School 2022

You can still enrol for the Dutch Summer School at the University of Edinburgh.

Image of author Rashif El Kaoui and announcement of his stay as guest of Dutch Studies in March 2022

Guest Author 2022: Rashif El Kaoui

We proudly announce our Taalunie Writer in Residence 2022, the Flemish writer, actor, and podcaster Rashif El Kaoui. We will translate extracts from his latest stage play 'De bastaard' into English. And you can all meet him.

small collar made of copper with a crest

Representing Slavery. Comparing Museums in the UK, the Netherlands & Belgium

The Netherlands, Belgium and Britain are now beginning to explore their legacy of slavery. Catherine Newell looked at the representation of slavery and colonialism in her recent SURE project. She turned her findings into a podcast.
Student showing magazine with big smile

Literary Translation: 21 Magazine

John Cairns knew he enjoyed literary translation. When he was offered the opportunity to join a platform for international writers and translators, he said YES. A year later he presents the results.

image of newspaper clipping of Suriname newspaper and websites

Beyond the academy: Our translation travels far and wide

Few things are more rewarding than seeing your work travel! Together with our colleagues at UCL, Sheffield students tackled the translation of a text written by Taalunie Writer in Residence, Tessa Leuwsha. And the result reached South-America.
Two young women smiling at the camera standing in front of a nature poster

"Don't shy away from difficult topics"

Congratulations to Beth Tasker and Sophie Moss, winners of the Anglo-Netherlands Society Annual Award 2023. Their winning podcast discusses how we can, or should, talk about difficult subjects such as the European legacy of slavery and colonialism.
Mixed group of students dressed up during a studnet ball

Welcome from the Dutch Society 2023-2024

Hallo en welkom bij de Nederlandse Vereniging (NV)! Let us tell you more about ourselves and all our amazing ideas for Dutch at Sheffield this coming year!
The author of the text on a bicycle with a red helmet just emerging from a tunnel, with some more cyclists in the backround

ALCS Dutch Summer School 2023

Rebs Nelsey is in their final year of the BA Modern Languages and Cultures (Spanish, Dutch, Italian). This summer they attended a Dutch Summer School: "The confidence boost that I got from the ALCS Summer School cannot be overstated."
Prof Wim Vandenbussche talking using his hands

Focus on linguistics

In February and March 2023, the Centre for Dutch and Flemish Studies focused on linguistics with a research presentation by Prof Wim Vandenbussche (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) and a visiting scholar Andreas Hiemstra (Universität Oldenburg).
group of students in Weston Park in Sheffield at the start of the academic year

Dutch for non-specialists and visiting students

Adriane is a student at one of Sheffield's partner universities in Germany. In 2021-22 she spent a semester in Sheffield and studied Dutch as a Language for all student. This is what she thought of it.