About me

About me

 

Jeroen Clemens contact@jeroenclemens.nl • jeroencl@proton.me +31 648774889 (WhatsApp/Signal) @jeroenclemens@waag.social• @jeroencl.eurosky.social

Innovative Language Educator & Digital Literacy Pioneer With over 40 years of experience in language education, teacher training, and digital literacy, I am dedicated to transforming how language and digital skills are taught and integrated. As a consultant, researcher, and author, I have developed groundbreaking educational projects, such as Hidden Family History and Het Heelal, and contributed to national and international publications. My work bridges traditional pedagogy with modern technology, empowering educators and students to thrive in a digitally connected world. I am committed to fostering innovative, meaningful learning experiences and collaborating with schools, teacher training programmes, and global networks to advance education.

Language Education & Dutch Language Specialist

With over 40 years of experience, I have dedicated my career to language education as a teacher, teacher trainer, researcher, consultant, and coach. My work spans collaboration with teachers and teaching teams, pre-service teacher training, and consultancy for schools, always with a focus on innovation and impact.

Digital Literacy Advocate

For the past two decades, I have been deeply engaged in the intersection of digital literacy and language education. My mission is to enhance digital literacy, particularly within educational settings. I regularly publish on this topic—see my publications page for more. Recent contributions include a chapter in the Handbook of Dutch Didactics and a piece on Digital Literacy and Online Reading: Towards a Broader Concept of Reading in Education (in Because Reading Pays Off: Towards Effective Reading Education in the Netherlands, ed. Y. van Dijk et al.). In 2017, I was recognized as a Pioneer in Digital Literacy in the first edition of Kennisnet’s Handbook of Digital Literacy.

I collaborate with teaching teams, schools, teacher training programmes, educational companies, and professional networks both in the Netherlands and internationally. I am also an active participant in global networks and currently serve on the executive committee of ELINET (European Literacy Policy Network).

Innovative Education Projects

Hidden Family History

To make writing education more engaging and integrate digital literacy meaningfully, I co-developed the Hidden Family History module with Ferdi Schrooten. This project encourages students to research their family past, combining historical inquiry with digital skills. The programme has been adopted by several schools and received significant media attention, including a documentary in the KRO-NCRV series Roderick zoekt licht (available via NPO).

Early Innovations

  • 1999: Designed Het Heelal (The Universe), a cross-curricular digital learning environment.
  • 1995–1997: Developed Octopus, a digital writing environment commissioned by Print-VO.

Professional Experience

2008–Present Pioneer in Digital Literacy, Speaker, Author, Consultant

  • Deliver guest lectures at teacher training colleges.
  • Provide consultancy and training on language education and digital literacy.

2016–2020 Research Group Member, Lectoraat Onderwijsinnovatie en ICT, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences

2003–2018 Dutch Language Teacher, Helen Parkhurst, Almere

  • E-coach and coordinator of internationalization.

1993–2003 Institute for Educational Development (APS), Utrecht

  • National coordinator for Dutch, founder/project leader for Languages, and member of the ICT and Learning project group.
  • Trainer and consultant (national and international), designer of educational materials (e.g., Octopus and Het Heelal).

1990–1993 Co-founder & Coordinator, Post-HBO Remedial Teaching Programme (Secondary Education)

  • Delivered workshops and lectures.

1990–Present International Lectures & Workshops

  • Focus on language education and digital literacy, primarily in Europe.
  • Conducted training for Dutch language teachers in the Caribbean (Curaçao and St. Maarten).

1981–1993 Dutch Language Teacher Trainer, Hogeschool van Utrecht

1978–1981 Dutch Language/Linguistics Teacher, Secondary and Higher Vocational Education

1972–1976 Student Assistant in Linguistics, University of Groningen

Professional Networks & Roles

  • 2017–Present: ELINET (European Literacy Policy Network) – Executive Committee & Co-chair, Digital Literacy
  • 2010–2015: Media Literacy Commission, Council for Culture – Digital Literacy Expert
  • 2010–Present: Federation of European Literacy Associations (FELA) – Member, Co-chair Webinar Steering Group (since 2021)
  • 1991–2010: International Development in Europe Committee (IDEC), European collaboration of the ILA
  • 1990–Present: International Literacy Association (ILA)
  • 1975–Present: Association of Teachers of Modern Languages, Dutch Section

Education

1981 Master’s Degree in Dutch Language and Literature, University of Groningen

  • Minors: Educational Science (Utrecht University), Socio- and Pragmalinguistics (Radboud University Nijmegen)
  • First-degree teaching qualification in Dutch

1972 Gymnasium Alpha Diploma