About

This website is part of my MA thesis English & Cultural Diversity: Identity formation in adolescence through the analysis of linguistic and cultural diversity.

My name is Bridget van de Grootevheen, and I designed this website because I believe it is crucial that students broaden their horizons with encountering and analysing a variety of cultures and languages. I have always loved learning languages and became interested in what moves people from different cultures. Every time I learn a new language I feel like another door of possibilities just opened. Every time I learn about culture, I understand that there is so much more that I don't know. I want to encourage you to keep an open mind and to welcome languages and cultures into your life. It will bring you joy, insights, and opportunities.

If you are a teacher, researcher, student, or a language enthousiast: I challenge you to take up my project and contribute to it to spread more awareness about linguistic and cultural diversity. While English happens to be the gateway to many cultures, this site does not need to be limited to English language and culture. I simply chose English because I studied English language and culture and was then trained as an English teacher. I also wanted to show how much linguistic and cultural diversity there is in what people generally regard as "English". The site also does not need to be limited to the Dutch school system, it can be picked up outside of that as well and also abroad.