In this solo episode, Wendy van Dalen, founder of Dutch for Children, explores what it really takes for expat children to feel at home in the Netherlands.
Spoiler: it’s not just about grammar and vocabulary! Discover how cultural awareness, social confidence, and modern Dutch slang all play a role in helping kids integrate into daily Dutch life.
In this episode, you will learn:
🔗 Links & Resources
📩 Book a free intake & personalized learning plan
🌐 Learn more about Dutch for Children
📚 Blog: Integrating Expat Children in the Netherlands
💡 Explanation: "Multi-language audio" or "Audio dubbing" on YouTube.
It allows subscribers to upload multiple audio tracks in different languages for a single video. Viewers can then choose their preferred language (like changing subtitles) and hear the video dubbed in that language.
📌 Where to find it: Viewers will see a language/audio option (like a globe icon or settings gear) and can switch audio tracks, similar to what’s possible on Netflix.
This solo episode explores how to keep your expat child’s Dutch language skills active and growing during the summer holidays.
From everyday learning moments and creative games to online tools and Dutch summer camps. We’ll share practical, fun ideas to help your child avoid the summer dip and stay connected to Dutch playfully. Whether traveling or staying home, this episode is packed with inspiration for a Dutch-filled summer! 🌞🇳🇱
Links
What Dutch language level is your child expected to reach in school? How do the Dutch reference levels (1F, 2F, 3F, 4F) compare to CEFR levels like A2 or B1? And what do they actually mean for your child’s education?
In this solo episode, Wendy van Dalen, founder of Dutch for Children, explains everything you need to know about Dutch language levels in education, whether your child is living in the Netherlands or abroad.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
📖 Prefer reading? Here’s the full blog article with all the details: 👉 Dutch language levels explained.
Ready to help your child grow in Dutch with joy and confidence? 📌 Book a free consultation via this link.
🌐 Explore our online lessons via our website.
In this special episode of Praat Nederlands met me, I’m switching roles: from host to guest! I share my personal journey of living abroad as a Dutch mother — from raising my children in countries like Spain, Curaçao, and Aruba to founding Dutch for Children, an online language school supporting Dutch expat kids worldwide and international children in the Netherlands.
Tune in as I talk about the joys and challenges of keeping the Dutch language alive across borders, what inspired me to start a flexible, personalized online school, and why maintaining your child’s connection to their language and culture matters so deeply.
Whether you're a Dutch family abroad, an international parent raising multilingual kids, or simply curious about bilingual education, this episode is filled with insights, relatable stories, and practical tips.
👉 Listen now and discover how language can bridge worlds, one word at a time.
Links:
Dutch videos for all ages
Online Dutch Library
Personalized Dutch Lessons for multilingual and expat kids have so many benefits. When it comes to learning a new language, every child is unique. This is especially true for international and expat children learning the Dutch language! Their life experiences, exposure to language, and academic levels often don’t match the standard classroom model.
At Dutch for Children, we believe personalized learning is not just a nice option, but it’s essential. Whether your child is catching up, reading ahead, or struggling with Dutch vocabulary, our tailored lessons meet them where they are.
In this episode, you'll hear what personalized learning is, why it matters for multilingual families, and how we make it work for children from all over the world.
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Today’s guest is someone truly special: Romanie Spierts. She is the mother of two sons, grandmother of five, and a modern shaman who works especially with pregnant women and international mothers.
Romanie has lived in Germany not once but twice, with a return to the Netherlands in between. Her journey through motherhood, migration, multilingualism, and identity is one that I believe will resonate with many of you.
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Many international parents wonder whether Dutch is simply too hard for their child to master, especially when it is not spoken at home.
In this episode of our podcast, 'Praat Nederlands met me', We unpack the myths around learning Dutch as a second (or third!) language. We talk about grammar, pronunciation, cultural immersion, and — most importantly — real student stories that prove it’s absolutely possible.
This is for you if you're raising your child abroad, planning a move to the Netherlands, or just want to support their multilingual development.
📌 Listen now and discover how to confidently support your child’s Dutch learning journey.
Links:
Get in touch with us today for quality lessons for your child.
Read more about the myths and strategies.
He lived with his family in the Netherlands, Spain, Curaçao, and the Dominican Republic.
Stefan tells us how he grew up in different cultures, how he developed from a child to a teenager, and what gave him an identity and languages. He has a specific view on learning languages and growing up world wide.
It is a fantastic journey, and Stefan articulates clearly and well what this period has been like and what he has gained from his 10th to his 19th year.
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Hello, and welcome to another exciting episode of ''Praat Nederlands Met Me!''
The podcast is where we explore the wonderful world of raising multilingual children and helping expat kids connect with the Dutch language, no matter where they are in the world!
My name is Wendy van Dalen. Today, I want to discuss the challenges expat teenagers face in Dutch secondary education and how we can support them in overcoming language barriers to achieve academic success.
Links
Welcome to a new episode of Praat Nederlands met me! In this interview, I have a special guest, Maartje, the mother of Jade and Linde.
Over the years, they have lived in multiple countries, and we’ve had the pleasure of teaching her daughters Dutch through Dutch for Children.
In this episode, Maartje tells about her mother and her daughters, who are raised across multiple countries—from Curaçao to Barbados to Spain. She shares her journey of keeping Dutch alive at home, the role of online lessons, and the challenges and triumphs of schooling abroad.
As a cherry on top of the cake, she also tells us about their enormous but great project in Spain, in the mountains of Alicante.
Group vs. private Dutch lessons for expat children: Which one is best?
As a parent raising an expat child in the Netherlands, you want them to feel confident in Dutch. But what’s the best way to help them learn?
Should they join a group class, or would private lessons be more effective? Each approach has its advantages and challenges. In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits and challenges of both options to help you make the best choice for your child. We rely on educational theories, practice, and experience.
Listen and find out what works best for your child.
If you have doubts or questions, please email us for a free meeting to discuss the best options.
Links:
Read all about the pros and cons of both options in this article.
In this episode, we have a special guest, Kim van Mook, who has been living in the United States for 13 years. She is a teacher, a school leader, and a strong advocate for bilingual education.
In this episode of "Praat Nederlands met me," we talk to her, a Dutch expat in the U.S., about raising a bilingual child. Kim shares her journey from the Netherlands to Colorado and the challenges of teaching her daughter Dutch in an English-speaking environment.
She discusses how her daughter initially resisted speaking Dutch and how joining De Petteflet, a Dutch language school in Denver, helped normalize the language for her. Kim also touches on her Dutch program for adults, created to support parents in learning the language alongside their kids.
This episode is full of practical tips and heartfelt advice for families looking to integrate Dutch into their daily lives. Tune in to hear Kim's story and find inspiration for nurturing language and culture at home.
In this episode, we dive into the world of early language learning for young children. Discover how playful, customized lessons at Dutch for Children make Dutch fun and natural — even for toddlers with short attention spans!
Join us as we explore practical tips, share engaging activities, and show how you can support your child’s language journey, no matter your Dutch skills.
🎧 Ready to listen? Tune in to the latest episode now!
Links
In this episode of Praat Nederlands met me!, host Wendy welcomes a truly inspiring guest: Coreen Okraski.
Coreen, originally from the Netherlands, has been living in the U.S. for many years and has built an impressive career in language education. With her expertise in language acquisition and cultural exchange, she has helped countless educators and learners navigate the challenges of multilingualism.
In this conversation, Coreen shares her journey of moving to the U.S., maintaining her Dutch identity, and raising children in a multicultural environment. She also offers valuable insights on teaching languages, the impact of culture on language learning, and the importance of multilingualism in today’s global world.
Whether you're a language learner, a parent raising bilingual children, or a language educator, this episode is packed with valuable advice and inspiration. Tune in now!
We all know that learning is important, but did you know that learning together makes the process even more effective? If your child wants to learn or improve their Dutch, our interactive group lessons are the perfect way to do it!
Ready to Get Started after listening?
Our group courses last 8 weeks and are starting every week! Want your child to learn Dutch in a practical, fun, and interactive way? Sign up now via info@dutchforchildren.nl
Read all the information first!
🎉 "Learning is more fun with friends – and science proves it!"
In this episode, I’m speaking with Susanne, an expat mother currently living in La Réunion. Susanne has a fascinating story about raising her two children with Dutch and French influences, and she’s here to share her insights on language, culture, and parenting abroad.
It’s inspiring to hear how Susanne is raising her children with Dutch and French influences, not only language-wise but also cultural-wise. Her family is an example of how you can make language learning a natural part of your family life.
Links:
More about Réunion
Raising Multilingual children
Mirjam grew up partly in France, lived abroad with her family for 14 years, and now helps others navigate the unique challenges of returning to the Netherlands after living abroad.
We discussed valuable topics like living abroad, learning different languages, keeping up with home language and culture, expat life for expat children, and reverse culture shock.
Resettle can help with growing awareness of the value returning expats have and networking and coaching you if you have a reverse culture.
Maintaining their mother tongue while living abroad is essential: Insights from a multilingual expat kid why this is important.
For many expat families, the experience of moving to a new country can be exciting and challenging. One of the most significant challenges, especially for families with young children, is maintaining the mother tongue and maintaining it while adapting to a new culture and language.
This podcast episode tells you how and shares experiences for children.
In this heartfelt episode of Praat Nederlands met Me!, we dive into the challenges expat children face when adapting to a new language, culture, and way of life. Meet Emily, a 10-year-old whose move to the Netherlands left her feeling lost and isolated—until her family found the support they needed to help her thrive.
Join Wendy van Dalen, founder of Dutch for Children, as she shares Emily’s inspiring journey from struggle to success. Learn how personalized language lessons and cultural coaching can empower your child to embrace their new environment with confidence and joy.
Tune in now to discover how to support your child’s transition abroad!
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Testing in the Netherlands in primary education is more than numbers. In Dutch primary education, students encounter countless tests, such as the well-known M-test and E-test. But what do these numbers tell us about your child?
Unpack the role of testing in Dutch primary education. From understanding the M and E tests to learning how to ease your child's stress, this episode equips parents with tools to see beyond the numbers and focus on growth.
Links from this episode
More information or a short talk about the Dutch education
This valuable article about Dutch assessments on Multilingual Families