The reasons why my NT2 students have come to live in Amsterdam are very diverse.
Often it is love that brings them to this city. Or else their studies, religion, political beliefs et cetera.
Amsterdam is a relaxed city with many nationalities, where one quickly blends in.
Not least due to the fact that a vast majority speaks English.
And even though it is harder to find someone with whom to speak Nederlands, loads of non-native speakers nevertheless learn the language when they come to live here.
Why?
A frequently heard reason is: because of my job. Especially if one works in healthcare, as many do.
To pass the integration exam, is also a common answer. So is graduating from uni.
Those with children fear being otherwise constantly corrected by them.
“Nee papa! Het is niet “in de Nederlands”, het is “in Nederland”!’
Yet there is another pressing reason.
In the words of my student Endurance from Nigeria, ‘Om Nederlandse vrienden te krijgen.’ (to make Dutch friends)
In a solitary city like Amsterdam, making friends is a challenge no matter what. But if you want to really connect with locals, there is but one solution.
To learn de, het and een.
The pride with which my students share that they had a job interview or a chat with their neighbor or market vendor, all in Dutch, is boundless.
It’s about a sense of belonging. A sense of home. (een thuisgevoel)
I teach NT2 (Dutch as a second language), mainly to internationals who came to Amsterdam for or with love and are here to stay. Soon in the stores: my bilingual book Nederlands is zooo makkelijk | Dutch is sooo easy.
Nederlingo
Nederland - The Netherlands
Het Nederlands - The Dutch language/ Dutch
De Nederlandse - Dutch female
De Nederlander - Dutch male (also commonly used for all genders)
Ik spreek Nederlands en woon in Nederland - I speak Dutch and I live in the Netherlands
