Language, integration, and education
LANGUAGE, INTEGRATION & EDUCATION
If you want to stay longer in Genk, it is important to learn Dutch. The city of Genk offers many opportunities to support this through informal language practice sessions.
The Integration and Citizenship Agency guides you to the course that suits you best. You can also contact them for a civic orientation course, where you receive all the information important for finding your way in Belgium. Be sure to register! More information can be found below.
Do you have children? Then be sure to read the information below about school and after-school childcare.
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AGENCY FOR INTEGRATION AND NATURALIZATION
At the Agency for Integration and Civic Integration (AgII), as a non-Dutch-speaking newcomer (18 years or older), you can follow an civic integration program. You receive explanations about working and living in Flanders, education, health, financial matters, and so on. In addition, you take a Dutch course and expand your network. A program counselor helps you step by step and works with you to find the best way to realize your plans. If you follow a civic integration program, AgII can also help you with recognizing your diploma.
Learning Dutch
You can also register only for a Dutch course. An AgII employee first conducts an intake interview to ask about your expectations, language knowledge, highest diploma obtained, and so on. The Dutch lessons and the test after the course together cost 180 euros. You also have to pay for books (or copies) for the Dutch lessons. The prices of the books or copies vary per school, but these costs are relatively limited.
CONTACT THE AGENCY FOR INTEGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP
The Integration and Civic Integration Agency works by appointment only at the contact point in Genk. You can contact them by phone on weekdays from 9 AM to 12 PM and from 1:30 PM to 4 PM.
Phone: 02 701 70 80
Address: Jaarbeurslaan 25, 3600 Genk
Email: genk.maasland@integratie-inburgering.be
DUTCH PRACTICE
1. Language Point (in the library)
The Language Point is located on the first floor of the library. You can find books, CDs, and DVDs to learn Dutch there. You can also practice for free with various computer programs to learn Dutch.
2. I join in
Do you want to learn Dutch with a buddy or through volunteer work? Or do you just want to meet new people? Then visit: ikdoemee.be!
3. Activities to practice Dutch
Many activities are organized in Genk where you can improve your Dutch with others during informal conversations, singing, drawing, or knitting. There is also plenty on offer for children and young people to learn Dutch in a playful way.
More information: genk.be/oefenkansen
FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE Education
In Flanders, children can attend kindergarten from 2.5 years old. This is highly recommended for your child’s development, both for the development of their language skills and for the development of social and motor skills.
For children and young people from 5 to 18 years old, school attendance is compulsory. Always inform the school if your child is ill or cannot attend school due to another urgent reason!
In Genk, you must register your child online to enroll them in a school. On the City of Genk website, you will find information about the registration procedure and lists of all schools in Genk, so you can choose a school you feel good about and that is not too far from your place of residence.
For young people aged 12 and over who are new to Flanders and speak little or no Dutch, you can attend an OKAN class (Reception Class for Non-Dutch-Speaking Newcomers): GO! Campus Genk gocampusgenk.be
Would you like to enroll your child in a Genk school? Then visit this website.
OUT-OF-SCHOOL CARE (BKO)
In Genk, there is a wide range of before- and after-school care and care during school holidays, for children aged 4 to 12 years. Sometimes care is also available at your child’s own school. It is best to check this before looking for external care.
Discover after-school care in your area
Development opportunities for children
It is important that children learn Dutch well. This happens not only at school, but also before and after lessons and during activities organized during the school holidays.
In Genk, there is a wide and varied offer for children and young people to improve their Dutch. Various organizations collaborate with the city to organize activities for children of different ages with attention to improving Dutch.
Some examples:
GIGOS youth welfare work: GIGOS is the youth welfare organization of Genk and focuses on children and young people from 5 to 25 years old. They organize after-school activities, holiday programs, and creative workshops to develop talents.
More info
Summer school for children: the Summer School is an educational project for non-native new arrivals between 5 and 12 years old. The project consists of language and talent weeks in which children learn Dutch through play and discover fun activities in Genk. Ask for more information about the summer schools at your school. Or visit the website:
More infoHoliday offer: the summer vacation in Flanders runs from July 1 to August 31. During this period there are playground activities where your children can go.
More infoSports camps and youth activities: the sports camps and youth activities in Genk are organized by Sport in Genk.
More info