Praat Nederlands met me!

What happens when a Dutch child grows up between three countries and three languages?

In this episode of Praat Nederlands met me, Wendy van Dalen speaks with Franca, a Dutch mother who raised her daughter abroad, first in London and later in France. Today, her daughter Fleur is 23 years old and speaks Dutch, English, and French fluently.

What makes this story particularly interesting is that there was no strict language strategy, no formal Dutch lessons, and no complicated system. Instead, the family focused on something simple but powerful: consistency and connection.

Franca shares how she always spoke Dutch with her daughter, why maintaining the Dutch language felt important to her, and what it was like to watch her child grow up between cultures. She also reflects on emotional moments along the way, the role of family ties in keeping Dutch alive, and what she might have done differently, especially when it comes to writing in Dutch.

For parents raising multilingual children abroad, this episode offers reassurance, perspective, and a valuable long-term view of what multilingual upbringing can look like over the years.

🎧 In this episode, you’ll hear about:

Moving abroad with a young child and adding new languages naturally

Why consistency in one language can make a big difference

Identity and belonging when growing up between cultures

Emotional moments parents experience when raising children abroad

What parents often underestimate about multilingual upbringing

Whether you are currently living abroad, recently returned to the Netherlands, or simply wondering how to keep Dutch alive in an international environment, this conversation offers honest insights and encouragement.

The Doorstroomtoets 2026 results are being released and for many international families, this can feel like an uncertain moment.

What do the numbers actually mean?

Is the test decisive for secondary school placement?

And what happens if the score is higher or lower than expected?

In this episode, I explain clearly and calmly:

• The difference between Cito and IEP scoring

• What reference levels like 1F and 1S really mean

• How the final school advice is determined

• When a school must reconsider the advice

• Why one test never defines your child’s future

If you are navigating the Dutch education system as an expat or international family, this episode will help you interpret the Doorstroomtoets results with clarity and confidence

For a full written explanation, visit this article via this link.

If you would like personal guidance, you are always welcome to reach out via email or via our contact page.

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 moreabout 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.

Links:

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.

Links:

Romanie her practise

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. 

Links:

Learning Dutch as a teenager

More about code-switching

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.

🏡 Are you curious about the nature house that Maartje and her family have built on the Costa Blanca? Follow this link to see the beautiful photos and book them.

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. 

Links:
Resettle
Book a call with Mirjam
Reverse culture shock

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!

Links:

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

Hi everyone! Today, we’re tackling an intriguing question: Is Dutch really a complex language for your child to learn? 

In this episode, we’re unraveling the mystery of Dutch as a so-called “difficult language.” We’ll explore the unique aspects of Dutch grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary while also sharing tips to help your child overcome common hurdles.

Whether you’re a parent of a budding Dutch learner or just curious about the language, stay tuned to discover why Dutch might not be as tricky as it seems!

Links from this episode

We’re excited to share our conversation with Elise, a 23-year-old third-culture kid whose story is a must-hear for expat families and multicultural individuals.

In the interview, Elise talks about:

Her experiences are a powerful reminder of the importance of language in shaping identity. Let us know your thoughts in the comments! 

De eerste korte aflevering van de nieuwe podcast van Dutch for Children: "Praat Nederlands met me!" Je hoort wat je als luisteraar kan verwachten; aan onderwerpen en sprekers. Met als rode draad: het Nederlands leren en bijhouden van je kinderen. 

Meer informatie over Dutch for Children:

Moeders wereldwijd dragen vaak veel op hun schouders als het gezin emigreert: woning, het regelen van de school, de start-up, taxi spelen voor de kinderen, de agenda van het gezin bijhouden, wegwijs worden in het land, eventueel een nieuwe taal leren én daar bovenop het Nederlands op niveau houden.

Luister nu naar mijn (en misschien wel je eigen) ervaring én het verhaal van Charlotte & haar dochter Alicia van 12 jaar. Hoor hoe zij hier mee omgingen en hoe het nu gaat met Alicia haar Nederlands.

Voor meer informatie:

Juf Anja geeft al heel wat jaren Nederlands aan kinderen met Nederlands als tweede of derde taal. De laatste 5 jaar doet ze dit met heel veel plezier online bij Dutch for Children. Anja en Pien zijn niet meer weg te denken tijdens de online Nederlandse lessen in veel huiskamers overal ter wereld. Luister je mee?!

Een mooi en interessant interview met Annelies, die vertelt over haar 'reis' over de wereld, het landen in Duitsland en de zeer bewuste keuze om via de de OPOL*) methode haar kind in het Nederlands op te voeden in Duitsland. Niet alleen de taal vond zijn hierbij belangrijk, maar ook de cultuur.

Haar man is Duits en de omgeving is volledig in het Duits. Annelies haar man spreekt wel Nederlands en begrijpt het ook. Haar dochter is inmiddels 22 jaar en studeert in Nederland.

Als gezin thuis (in Duitsland) spreken ze nu een mix van talen. In de keuken vind je een mix van de Zwabische en Nederlandse keuken.

Luister naar haar hele verhaal met erg leuke ideeën over meertalig opvoeden én advies.

*) One Parent, One Language 

Links:

Today is our first episode in English, an amazing, rich interview with Jori Zon. She is a business coach for coaches and therapists and an expat child; she lived abroad from 6 to 16 years and now lives in the Netherlands with her own family.

Reading tip: Third Culture Kids: David C. Pollock, Ruth E. Van Reken 

Jori's business: From hobby to profitable business. Business coaching for coaches and therapists

You’ve packed up your whole life, maybe traveled halfway across the world, and settled into this new country, the Netherlands.

There’s excitement, for sure—this is an opportunity for your family, a chance for growth. But right behind that excitement, there’s this little voice. A little voice of doubt, of worry that sounds a bit like this:

“What if my child doesn’t like the Netherlands? What if this change is just too big for them?”

And if you’ve felt that guilt yourself, you’re not alone.

For those of us here in the Netherlands, there’s an extra layer to this experience: the Dutch language. If you’re like most expat parents, you might not be fluent in Dutch, so you can’t always help your child with their language struggles. And that’s tough.

Listen to this podcast about the heartaches and the game-changer for your child.

Please get in touch with me, Wendy van Dalen,directly via email using this link.

You can find more information on our English website.

Max mainly teaches young expats in their thirties, speaks many languages, and lives in Spain.

This interview gives valuable insights into Max’s work, motivations, and views on the language-learning experience for expats and international students.

It gives listeners a well-rounded understanding of his journey and the impact he hopes to make as a teacher and author.

Links:

Walking & talking! See https://walkingtalking.nl/en/

Audiobook:
https://open.spotify.com/show/6irdLmvbNW3rmZlmiBwa6W?si=d0a589ff5d904730

Max's website: https://maxkoedood.com/ en www.learningdutchnow.com

In this episode of 'Spreek Nederlands met me!', we tackle a challenge many expat families face: helping their child feel at home in the Netherlands. Moving to a new country is exciting but overwhelming, especially for kids who don’t yet speak the local language.

Join us as we explore expat children's unique hurdles, from navigating school life to making friends, and discover why learning Dutch is the key to their confidence and connection.

You’ll hear about Emma’s inspiring journey from feeling lost to thriving in her new community, practical tips for parents to support their child’s integration, and how our personalized approach at Dutch for Children can make all the difference.

Whether your family is settling in or preparing for the big move, this episode is packed with insights and solutions to help your child thrive in the Netherlands.

Listen now and give your child the tools to feel at home!

Sign up for a trial lesson now, or ask any question.

Have you ever wondered how to keep your home language alive while raising kids abroad? This episode is a must-listen for expat parents striving to maintain their children’s connection to their roots through language.
Wendy welcomes Karen Hazelaar-Van Beukering, a mother of three and an expert from NOB, the Dutch Foundation for Education Abroad.

Karen shares her inspiring journey of raising multilingual children, practical tips for keeping Dutch alive at home, and the incredible benefits of multilingualism on family dynamics. From creating a “Dutch environment” to overcoming challenges like language mixing, Karen’s insights are both relatable and empowering. She also highlights the vital support NOB offers expat families, including tailored education options and workshops.

This episode is for you if you seek advice, inspiration, or reassurance in your multilingual parenting journey. Tune in and feel supported no matter where you are!

This festive episode of Praat Nederlands met me! is all about celebrating Dutch traditions during the holidays while staying connected to your heritage. Host Wendy van Dalen shares how Christmas and New Year’s in the Netherlands offer unique opportunities for your child to embrace the Dutch language and culture.

With creative ideas like singing Dutch songs, crafting, and enjoying traditional celebrations, this episode is full of inspiration for making language learning fun and meaningful. It's perfect for expat families navigating a multicultural holiday season!

Listen now to start your festive language adventure!

Links to enjoy after listening

Read about integrating your children in the Netherlands:
Integrating expat children in the Netherlands

Songs:
Met Kerstmis zijn we vrienden
Sjok, sjok, het ezeltje

Books:
Kikker en het nieuwe jaar
Mijntje

Countdown:
10 - 1 in Dutch

In this episode of Praat Nederlands met me, we explore the fascinating phenomenon of code-switching—when multilingual expat children switch between languages in the same conversation.

Far from being a flaw, code-switching is a sign of linguistic strength, adaptability, and cultural awareness. We’ll dive into what it is, why it happens, and how parents can support their children’s multilingual journeys.