Podcast
Praat Nederlands met me!
Wendy van Dalen
🎙️ Praat Nederlands met me!The podcast by Dutch for ChildrenA weekly podcast about raising multilingual children and helping expat kids learn and maintain the Dutch language wherever they are in the world.Does your child answer in English when you speak Dutch? You’re not alone. Many expat parents face the challenge of keeping their mother tongue alive while raising children abroad.Praat Nederlands met me! dives into the joys, struggles, and surprises of teaching Dutch to international kids. Hosted by Wendy van Dalen — founder of Dutch for Children, the online Dutch language school for kids — this podcast brings you:✨ Expert advice on raising multilingual children✨ Inspiring stories from expat families and Third Culture Kids✨ Practical tips for keeping the Dutch language and culture aliveWhether you want to strengthen your child’s Dutch, understand the magic of multilingualism, or feel connected to other international parents, this podcast is for you.🔗 Discover more:Dutch for Children — Online Dutch lessons for childrenOnline Dutch for Expats — Learn Dutch as an expat parent
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Afleveringen
19 feb. '25
Interview with Coreen Okraski
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!
12 feb. '25
Learning Dutch is fun and effective with friends!
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.nlRead all the information first!🎉 "Learning is more fun with friends – and science proves it!"
5 feb. '25
Interview with Susanne, expat mother in RĂ©union
In this episode, I’m speaking with Susanne, an expat mother currently living in La RĂ©union. 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 RĂ©unionRaising Multilingual childrenÂ
29 jan. '25
Interview with Mirjam de Bakker from Resettle
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:ResettleBook a call with MirjamReverse culture shock
22 jan. '25
Maintaining your mother tongue with your children
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.
15 jan. '25
From Struggles to Success
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:Visit www.dutchforchildren.nl for more information.Please email us at info@dutchforchildren.nl to set up an online meeting.
8 jan. '25
Testing in the Dutch education
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 episodeMore information or a short talk about the Dutch educationThis valuable article about Dutch assessments on Multilingual Families
31 dec. '24
Is Dutch a difficult language for your child to learn?
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 episodeFree ebook about the 'lidwoorden'Which online class suits your child best?Ready to start lessons with us? Please email for a free first meeting!
25 dec. '24
Interviewing a third-culture-kid in the Dominican Republic
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 wiseHer parents, Dutch reading, and traveling helped her stay connected to her language and cultureAnd how Latin America feels more like homeHer experiences are a powerful reminder of the importance of language in shaping identity. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!Â
18 dec. '24
Code-switching
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.Join me to discover the brilliance behind every language switch and celebrate the rich identities of expat children!Links:Read more about code-switchingMore tips and advice:Please sign in for our newsletter with all kinds of language tips and advice for expat parents
