Praat Nederlands met me!

Raising children abroad often means navigating multiple languages and cultures at the same time. In this episode of Praat Nederlands met me! Wendy van Dalen speaks with Natalie Lukkenaer about her experience raising a multilingual child while living in different countries. Together, they explore what happens when children grow up between languages, how Dutch can slowly fade into the background, an...

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...

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 li...

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: Why language alone...

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 inspirat...

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 th...

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 jo...

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 le...

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...

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 absolutel...

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 li...

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...

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...

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 bot...

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 teachi...

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? T...

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 multilingua...

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 wa...

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 cult...

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 awarenes...

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...

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 inspi...

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 t...

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 Du...

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:
 Growing up internationally and maintaining her Dutch roots. The challenges of being a third-culture kid: language and social wise Her parents, Dutch reading, and traveling helped her stay connected to...