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More and more people are interested in learning Luxembourgish and not only within the borders of the Grand Duchy, but also abroad.
For this reason, the offer of the National Institute of Languages (INL) will be permanently expanded, both online and in the form of an increased number of available classes.
Minister of Education Claude Meisch stressed that the Luxembourgish language is “more popular than ever”, adding that Luxembourgish is “a key factor for integration”, both in professional life and socially.
It is evident that more and more people want to learn the language, with Meisch pointing out that over the past ten years, the number of people enrolling in classes has “practically doubled”. The figure the Minister refers to accounts for both classes offered by the INL and those offered by the Department of Adult Education, the latter of which are available across the country.
In 2022, over 5,600 people have enrolled in INL classes. To meet the increased demand, the INL will receive a second annex in Ettelbruck. However, the Institute’s online offer will also be expanded. Maisy Gorza, the director of the INL, announced that a new online learning platform will launch “soon”.
According to Gorza, the platform will allow learners to train vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Users will take a placement test first, which will determine their level in the different skills. Based on the results, learners will be offered a personalised curriculum.
Initially, the platform will launch with courses aimed at beginners. This material is also aimed at people living in the border region, where the interest in learning Luxembourgish is also on the rise. The Luxembourgish authorities are already working alongside several ‘Volksshochschulen’ in Germany, municipalities in the French Lorraine region, as well as adult education institutes across France to offer courses, according to Eric Goerens, the director of the Department of Adult Education.
Goerens explained that most people interested in learning Luxembourgish want to work in the country. However, some are also “elderly people who want to learn Luxembourgish because they came into contact with the culture and the language”.
According to Meisch, the courses will mainly be targeted at people intending to work in sectors such as healthcare or hospitality. The Minister also pointed out that the demand for Luxembourgish courses even goes beyond the borders of the European continent. After the Luxembourgish Embassy in Paris started offering Luxembourgish classes, the Embassy in the United States also showed interest. People with Luxembourgish ancestors are often interested in learning the language.
We at RTL Today also started a series dedicated to learning Luxembourgish: day to day phrases accompanied by a grammar article. New lessons will be provided every Sunday, as well as pronunciation guides.
Click here for the day to day phrases and here for the grammar article from our first lesson.
Lëtzebuergesch léieren / Reportage Diana Hoffmann