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Hello, my name is Mrs. Bosman. Something dreadful has happened. I've lost my bank card. It might have been stolen.
Do you want to block your card? I can do that for you.
Thank you very much.
On the first pages, you see various screenshots...
of what you see when you withdraw cash from an ATM, like inserting your card...
Chia Foo Lai comes from Singapore and has been living in Holland since 1977.
He worked for an international hotel chain, and so he never needed to learn Dutch. Besides, he didn't have time to study Dutch.
I worked from 6 a.m. till the afternoon, or from 2 p.m. until late in the evening. So I didn't have time.
Everyone spoke English at work.
Good afternoon, I'd like some white bread and some cookies.
Chia says he has no trouble getting by in everyday life.
But he doesn't have a permanent residency permit. So at the age of 62, he is now being required to follow an integration course.
You don't speak Dutch using your mouth but your throat.
- Is it a difficult language? Yes, it's easier for young people, but everyone finds it hard.
Yes, I see a clear difference between the older students...
and the younger ones who've only been here for a few years.
They're all very motivated. That's not the problem.
But you don't see any real improvement in the older people's knowledge and command of the Dutch language.
They've reached a certain level, but they don't progress any further despite classes three times a week.
The integration courses for elderly immigrants is a result of the tougher Dutch integration policy.
But the Amsterdam Advisory Council on Diversity and Integration has concluded...
that it's pointless to give integration classes to elderly immigrants.
We're just throwing money out the window. It's traumatic for these people.
It's useful to teach people something about Dutch society and the Dutch language.
But the pace needs to be slower, and they shouldn't be given courses in a classroom.
They need to know, for instance, where their grandchildren are attending school...
and they need to help their children keep in touch with Dutch culture. That's what elderly immigrants need to know.
The council is advising a more flexible policy towards elderly immigrants.
But Chia Foo Lai will still have to take his integration exam later this month.
Even though he questions the usefulness of the exam.
If you're young, it's not a problem.
But when you reach the age of 62, it's not all that easy anymore.