Starting 1 January 2025, the University of Twente (UT) will introduce a policy of parallel bilingualism, emphasizing the importance of both Dutch and English within the UT community. The new policy marks a significant milestone in the ongoing review of the university’s language policy, reflecting the UT's commitment to inclusion and internationalisation.
Under the policy of parallel bilingualism, Dutch and English will be recognised as official languages. English will serve as the university’s common language and as the lingua franca for academic communication, while Dutch will continue to play an essential role in UT's national and regional context as well as societal engagement.
Importantly, the new policy will not impact the language in which education is offered, which will continue to depend on the curriculum and target group. However, changes may take place there in the future as a result of the national discussion on internationalisation.
Concrete policy and implementation
The introduction of parallel bilingualism means that:
- Governance and participation: formal decision-making on te executive level complies with the General Administrative Law Act and is in Dutch, with English translations or summaries to ensure accessibility for the whole community.
- Communication: The choice between Dutch and English will be tailored to the subject and target audience. Not all communication needs to be bilingual, but essential information has to be accessible to all.
- Campus and community: UT supports and encourages all staff and students in developing their language skills in both Dutch and English. This contributes to equitable access to opportunities and a sense of belonging within the diverse UT community.
The implementation plan focuses on concrete action points. Set to launch in January 2025, the plan will focus on governance and employee participation as these areas are where the most significant changes are expected.
Support and tools
UT is committed to providing language support through a number of services. The UT Language Centre offers assistance with language improvement, as well as translation and editing services. To enhance accessibility, the community also makes use of LISA-approved technologies such as AI-driven translation tools and simultaneous translation apps. Additional resources, including tips, tools and best practices, are available on the Language Policy website to ensure continuous support and engagement.
Attention to inclusion and understanding
Although the new policy aligns closely with current practices, its implementation calls for careful consideration of inclusion and understanding. Meetings and events will need to clearly specify the working language, while fostering awareness, understanding and sensitivity towards language barriers.
With this consideration, UT reinforces its commitment to building an inclusive community where language choice and usage foster openness and accessibility across the university.
For more information, visit the Language Policy website or e-mail utlc@utwente.nl.
