Little incentive to learn Dutch
I followed my husband to the Netherlands a year ago and have only learnt enough to say my pleases and thankyous and order a cup of coffee. The Netherlands is a country which really embraces the English language and everyone will speak back to you in English without being asked, even in local shops. Most of our social life revolves around the International School, so there is little incentive to learn Dutch.My children are 9 and 11 and both are learning Dutch in school. The older girl has a lesson every day and they both have made great progress.
Sent by: Claire
Comments
Maybe it's nice to learn Dutch. It will always be better to speak it. I'm Dutch and I'm at grammar school (VWO). But Dutch is a difficult language.
The Dutch will always speak to you in English if they can hear your English accent, and if you don't try. Otherwise, if spoken to in Dutch, they will naturally respond in Dutch. English comes from Dutch, which makes Dutch the easiest language for native English speakers to learn. Dutch is a beautiful language, and it is only through Dutch that you can learn to appreciate the people, their country, traditions - this is NEVER possible through English, only through the mother tongue. Dutch is too a very rewarding language to learn - beacause of its relation to English, it will help you speak English better! Fact!
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