Languages

For staff at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other central government employees with an international role, it’s essential to have a good command of one or more foreign languages. This makes a big difference in our representation of the Netherlands abroad. It also helps us promote our international interests effectively, and that means we achieve better results.

For staff at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

At BZ we all work within the international and diplomatic fields. That is why language and culture are important for every staff member at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, regardless of your position. This means that we speak and write English well and preferably also have a command of one or more foreign languages. Especially if your work requires it.

There are several ways to improve your language skills, either through the Academy or through your department or mission:

• The Academy offers courses in the following strategic languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Arabic and Portuguese. 
• The Academy offers standard group language courses at CEFR language levels from B1/B2 to C1. 
• Are you being posted abroad? The Academy offers individual language training courses in the strategic languages and Portuguese to prepare you for your posting abroad.
• If you want to do a language course, first discuss it with your manager and make sure you have their approval before registering.

Language training for your partner

If you’re a staff member at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an attaché preparing for a posting to a mission, there are various options available for your partner to prepare for moving abroad too.

• Language courses for partners are paid for out of the partner’s Professional Development Partner Fee (POP). Visit the 3W website to read all about the conditions your partner must meet to be eligible for the POP allowance.
• To apply for an allowance to cover your partner’s language course, visit the 3W website (Professional Development Partner Fee (POP)).

For staff of other ministries

Other central government staff who want to take a language course should ask about the options provided by their own ministry. Each ministry has its own policy on who can take language courses, where, when and who pays.

If you are an attaché taking up a post abroad, ask your ministry about the conditions for taking an individual language course. The 3W website  also provides useful information about topics such as allowances.

BZ has general guidelines for staff at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who wish to take a language course to prepare for their posting abroad. When you are posted to a mission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will give you the opportunity to take a course in a strategic language that is commonly spoken in the country of posting. It is advisable to start learning the language in a timely manner and to spread out the lessons in order to build up your knowledge of the language. Especially if you are starting with a language that is very different from your mother language, e.g. if you are Dutch-speaking and are going to learn Arabic. Intensive language training is not recommended in this case. Make sure your learning goals are clear by talking to your predecessor and/or manager and checking what is stated in the job profile.

Language is inextricably linked to culture. The Academy offers various intercultural courses with a practical approach to help you perform your international job effectively.