Networking Night marks a milestone for heritage language education in the Netherlands
- HLE Network
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
October 17, 2025
The 7th Annual HLE Networking Night showed just how far heritage language education has come in the Netherlands. There were over 80 registrations from individuals representing over 50 organizations, with guests joining from other parts of the Netherlands and even Europe. The event was an official European Day of Languages celebration, and the program featured unprecedented topics in the Netherlands. The evening showed that this community-driven sector is gaining traction — and is ready to pursue serious ambitions for the future.
Photos: TextVast
Groundbreaking discussions
Heritage language educators and partners in the Netherlands were able to choose between three specialized sessions, each tackling issues not discussed in this context until now:
Workshop: The new Review Rubric
Led by Alona Boitsova, Director of the Multicultural Foundation “Buratino,” this session introduced a practical self-evaluation framework that empowers heritage language schools to strengthen their policies, training, and program quality. Attendees were inspired by examples from Alona's 25 years of running a heritage language program.
Photos: TextVast
Roundtable: Heritage language education within and outside of the Netherlands
Facilitated by Linde van den Bosch (NOB) and Steven Vanhooren (Taalunie), offering an unprecedented dialogue on shared challenges and collaboration between heritage language educators in the Netherlands/Vlaanderen and Dutch schools abroad.
Photos: TextVast
Brainstorm: From informal to formal
Led by Saskia Heunks (Trion), Sjef Hendrikx (International School Eindhoven) and Annemieke Vennix (TU/e), opening the door to a new idea: creating a lateral entry pathway for heritage language teachers to gain formal certification.
Photos: TextVast
International perspective: Plenary talk by special guest from Switzerland
The plenary talk by Sabrina Marruncheddu (Zurich University of Teacher Education) was another first. By examining the Swiss approach to heritage language education, she brought an international perspective that highlighted creative solutions being implemented elsewhere in Europe. Her talk inspired reflection on what might be possible here in the Netherlands.
Photo: TextVast
Activities that build connections
The evening concluded with a networking program. Alongside informal conversations, participants joined a speed networking activity, a contest, and the distribution of donated teaching supplies. The atmosphere reflected pride in what has been achieved and excitement for the road ahead.
Speed networking
Participants spoke with 5 different people in 15 minutes.
Photos: Naoko Yamamoto
Donated gift boxes
Thanks to the Coovels Smits Stichting, Samen voor onze Regio, and HLE Network's volunteers, 18 donation boxes were prepared for the heritage language programs in our directory.
Support statements that stand out
Upon registering, attendees completed the sentence "I am shining a spotlight on heritage language educators because . . . " and they were able to vote on their favorites during the event.
Photo: TextVast
"Magnetic Poetry" was given as prizes for the winners. Second prize went to Anna Kijak, head of the Polish School. First prize went to Ellaheh Barzegar, educator at the Eindhoven Persian School. Both statements stood out because of how they highlight the dedication that goes into teaching heritage language learners. Congratulations!
I am shining a spotlight on heritage language educators because they do it purely out of love and devotion.
- Anna Kijak, Polish School Eindhoven
I am shining a spotlight on heritage language educators because they preserve cultural identity and give students the gift of connection to their roots usually empty-handed and all by their hearts.
- Ellaheh Barzegar, Eindhoven Persian School
"Standout Support Statement" winners read their statements aloud.
"HL Highlights"
During the event, the highlights from the last year for each of the heritage language programs was displayed on rotation on the screen.
A sector coming into its own
Since its start in 2019, the HLE Networking Night has grown from a simple gathering into a respected tradition in the Brainport region and beyond. This year’s program, with its depth, scope, and level of professional expertise, shows how far the heritage language education sector has come — and how much potential lies ahead.
Thank you to our sponsors
This year’s event was organized by the HLE Network, with support from Gemeente Eindhoven’s Inclusief Samenleven subsidy and contributions from Holland Expat Center South, Brainport Development, RADAR/Discriminatie.nl, Trion Opleidingsschool, and STE Languages.
