Language and Work - City of Amsterdam
Language & Work
Khalid Khawaja
Khalid has been at his coffee cart five days a week since 2013. Originally from Pakistan, the coffee vendor has now lived in the Netherlands for over 35 years. During the Language and Work course at TopTaal, he significantly improved his Dutch.
Khalid Mahmood Khawaja has a cheerful smile when we meet him at his coffee cart in front of the entrance to Amsterdam's Vondelpark. 'I came here in 1983. I've learned a lot since then. I have many Dutch customers who come by every day. I talk to them, make jokes, and learn new words every day that way. I might have made more than 100,000 cups of coffee in my life.'
If you live in the Netherlands, you have to participate. Including with the Dutch language
Khalid, who took the Language and Work course, believes it is important to understand well what customers are saying. 'I've lived here for so long, so I speak and understand a lot. But I find writing difficult. I make many mistakes. That's why my daughter does the administration now. I would like to be able to do that myself. Making appointments too. And sending emails. If you can write, you are not dependent on anyone else. The courses at TopTaal have helped me. I now speak even better and have also learned to write better.'
The course Khalid took is specifically intended for employees and job seekers from language level A1. In addition to increasing the language level, work is also done on improving competencies required for daily work.
If I could write better, I would be even happier
'I think my work is fantastic because I learn something new every day. I see many tourists, but also many Dutch people. For me, this is truly top-tier work! If you live in the Netherlands, you have to participate. Including with the Dutch language. That's why I took language lessons. I am very satisfied with my life, but if I could write better, I would be even happier.'