Why learn Dutch?

Ever thought about learning a second language? There are many reasons why studying Dutch is challenging, fun and enriching!

  • Do you have a Dutch or Belgian background? Rediscover an important part of your cultural identity or simply increase your self-confidence and self-esteem. Communicating in Dutch with family or friends is a fulfilling and rewarding experience.
  • Learning Dutch is not difficult. And some basic language skills will make it easier and more enjoyable to travel, study or live in the heart of Europe: not just the Netherlands, but also Belgium. Other areas of the world that speak Dutch include Suriname, Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, St Maarten & St Eustachius.
  • With Australia’s growing international role and interests, language study opens up career opportunities, particularly when combined with other skills.
  • Are you a high school student? Did you know that in several states including Victoria you can earn extra credits for your VCE (HSC) score by choosing Dutch as an examination subject in Year 11 or Year 12?
  • Encourage your children to learn Dutch. They will be able to speak foreign languages without feeling inhibited. Moreover, students who speak Dutch from an early age are able to develop flexibility in pronunciation and accent.
  • That said, studying a second language at any age helps you learn other languages more easily.
  • Dutch, together with German and Afrikaans, is a language that is closely related to English. You will find that there are many similarities in grammar and basic vocabulary.
  • Long and close ties between Australia and the Netherlands date back to 1606, when theDuyfken was the first European ship to come upon Australia.
  • If you are interested in Dutch colonial history, Dutch will help you to understand first-hand information from the Dutch East Indies.

By Renée Feikema

Just imagine you need to catch a train from Eindhoven to Utrecht. You desperately need sustenance, some food, something to drink! Only Dutch spoken all around you. It’s late and you’re exhausted too. Suddenly you remember your Dutch lessons and all those role‑plays you dreaded performing in front of the class. No amount of Maths, Chemistry, and Legal Studies is going to help you now! Even Shakespeare, Chaucer and Keats have flown out the window. Just as well you learnt Dutch from that rather zany Dutch teacher!

Whatever the language, be it German, Korean, French, Hindi, the hard slog over many years will have been worth it. All foreign languages open doors, bridge communication gaps, broaden one’s field of vision, instil confidence. With language proficiency you can easily step into many professions: foreign trade, hospitality, tourism, the diplomatic service, social work, customs and immigration, the fashion industry, libraries, the media and arts, and, if you are fluent, language teaching, translating and interpreting. Tack your linguistic skills onto many other careers and bingo! You have immediately become an invaluable asset to a company.

Pick up your foreign language as early as you can ‑ it will contribute immeasurably to maximising your educational and intellectual achievement and creativity. No major hassles if you just learn your Dutch in small doses each day, each week. Your study habits and techniques must be established early on ‑ this is crucial. Your results will be incredible! Language acquisition is cumulative. It can be gleaned by osmosis or gradual absorption. Toddlers and young children build on their babblings. Unknowingly they increase their mental flexibility many times over. Gradually, confidently, inescapably becoming a part of their identity. Having grasped basic grammar rules, beginners can forge ahead and expand their range of vocabulary ‑ correct pronunciation is no longer a real problem. Beginners can impress fluent speakers in the most delightful way. Astute students compile their own vocabulary lists and stick them on toilet doors, kitchen walls, wherever they can see them easily.Clever students talk to their pets in Dutch, anybody who will listen, whether they understand them or not!

Learn 10 new Dutch words a day ‑ it’s amazing how well you can be understood with just 300 nouns, 20 adjectives and 10 verbs in the present tense. The older student who has a select smattering of colloquialisms and idioms can be quite impressive! For example: Daar komt de aap uit de mouw! (There you have it! Literal translation: The monkey comes out of the sleeve!). Colourful sayings, local jargon in Dutch are bound to capture people’s attention.

Languages cover so much more than just grammar. Art, History, Geography, Literature, Music, Cuisine, Film, all come under the one banner. Imagine reading “The Diary Of Anne Frank” in Dutch, or seeing a Dutch film such as Zwartboek,  Oorlogswinter, de Tweeling or De Storm without much help from the sub‑titles ‑ you become part of the culture. Even with the help of the sub-titles you are hearing and absorbing Dutch. How often do we hear “oh dear, what a pity, so much has been lost in translation.”

Language classes are inherently fun! An outgoing language teacher can create a stimulating and authentic language learning environment where laughter becomes contagious, as students express themselves in entertaining role‑plays and conversations. You understand and have fun. A sense of achievement goes a long way. A little craziness helps! To make mistakes is normal. No-one should be too nitpicky, as we learn by making mistakes. To communicate with Dutch speakers in their own language and be reasonably understood is a wonderful compliment. There is a buzz in communicating on a different linguistic plane than your own. Understanding and responding are exciting and satisfying. Motivation, patience, commitment and a liberal dose of enthusiasm are the key.

Succes en veel plezier!