Are you Dutch or a Dutch speaker in the Netherlands who works for an international organization? If so, it’s almost certain that you work with international employees or colleagues who are in the process of learning Dutch.
As an experienced Dutch language teacher specializing in beginner courses for expats, I’ve observed common challenges faced by learners when interacting with their Dutch-speaking colleagues. Usually, my content is designed for expats learning Dutch. However, today I want to share some tips for native and fluent Dutch speakers on how to support international employees learning Dutch here in the Netherlands.
Tip 1: Adjust your language to the level of a beginner
At its most simple, this means using short single sentences and avoiding complex long sentences. You should also try your best to speak clearly, enunciate your words, and don’t speak too fast. While it is only natural to use connected speech when speaking quickly and fluently, it makes it much harder on learners! For example: “Ik heb het zo druk” often sounds like /keptsodruk/ in connected speech. In spoken Dutch, it’s extremely hard for beginners to hear the boundaries between the individual words if you link the words like this.
Using active instead of passive constructions is another great way to help your international employees and colleagues in the Netherlands better understand you. The active voice is what language learners learn first, so they are typically more comfortable with this in the early stages. For example: Use the active “Veel reizigers klagen over het OV” (“Many people complain about public transport”) instead of the passive “Er wordt veel geklaagd over het OV” (“There is a lot of complaining about public transport”).
Tip 2: Avoid slang and idioms
While slang, such as “Balen, zeg” (“bummer”), is common, it takes time for Dutch learners to simply master the basics. Start introducing more slang into your conversations as you see your international employees or colleagues becoming more confident, but don’t forget to help them out by explaining the meaning.
Idioms are very confusing for language learners, no matter the language! As native Dutch speakers, we don’t even think about the true meaning of the words because the meaning of the idiom is so familiar to us. For example:“Ik zie het niet zitten” as an idiom means “I don’t feel up to it”, but the literal meaning is “I don’t see it sitting”. This doesn’t make any sense to a beginner!
Tip 3: Encourage participation
Do your best to create a supportive environment where international employees feel encouraged to practice their Dutch without fear of judgement. This environment will foster confidence and fluency over time. For example, ask them what topics they have been learning in class recently, and use that as a basis for a conversation. Even just a few minutes a day of conversational practice will accelerate their Dutch learning journey!
Tip 4: Provide feedback diplomatically
If you notice errors or areas for improvement in their Dutch language skills, offer constructive feedback in a diplomatic manner. Focus on highlighting their progress and never interrupt them in the middle of a sentence or try to correct each and every grammar mistake. Dutch people are known for their directness, however, ensure that your constructive feedback does not discourage them from continuing to learn and speak Dutch. We all benefit from more Dutch speakers in the workplace!
Tip 5: Be patient and understanding
Above all, demonstrate patience and understanding as your expatriate colleagues try to navigate the complexities of learning Dutch. If it takes a bit longer for them to construct a sentence, don’t immediately switch to English. If you are a native Dutch speaker from the Netherlands, remember that you spent about around 600 hours in secondary school to learn English! Celebrate their achievements, no matter how small, and empathize with the challenges they encounter along the way.
Next steps…
By implementing these simple yet effective tips, you can play an important role in supporting the language journey of your international employees and colleagues. This will ultimately make them feel more at home in the Netherlands.
Are you interested in actively supporting your international employees to learn Dutch while also building stronger connections between staff? I would be happy to talk to you about the possibilities for an incompany Dutch course. You can learn more about my Dutch incompany courses here or contact me for more information.
You can learn more about my Dutch course options here, or contact me for more information. I would also encourage you to sign up to receive my newsletter in which I share updates and exclusive Dutch learning content for expats! If you want to get to know me and my teaching style first, you are welcome to check out student testimonials or book a free intake interview with me!
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