From our blog
News, developments and articles from Regina Coeli
Sing your way to better Dutch with classic party songs
Picture this: it’s a Friday night in a Dutch pub. People are laughing, drinks are flowing, and suddenly, everyone starts singing. It’s not a concert. It’s not karaoke night. It’s just what happens when a popular Dutch song comes on. The whole room joins in, word for word. And there you are. Watching. Smiling. But not singing. Because… you don’t know the words. Yet.
Portuguese for everyday
Do you visit Portugal regularly? Do you have a second home there? Then you know that knowing a few words of Portuguese makes everything just that little bit easier. Portuguese people really appreciate it when you speak to them in their language. You don't have to be able to hold entire conversations right away. Just start with a friendly ‘bom dia!’ and see what happens.
Truffle hunting in Italy, a centuries-old tradition
Truffles: you'll find them in Michelin-starred restaurants, in small trattorias and at market stalls in Italian villages. But what you may not know is that the art of truffle hunting is so special that it was made part of UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage in 2021. In this article, you can read about how this tradition works, where to go and which Italian words you should know if you want to talk about this delicacy.
Politeness, respect and status in the Russian-speaking world: Why language is never just language
Learning Russian is about more than just mastering grammar and vocabulary. If you really want to communicate well in Russian—or with Russian speakers across Eastern Europe and Central Asia—you need to understand how culture shapes language. Politeness, respect and status are deeply intertwined in the Russian-speaking world, from Russia and Belarus to Ukraine, Kazakhstan and beyond. What’s considered polite, respectful or appropriate in conversation often differs quite a bit from what we’re used to in the West. Let’s take a closer look.
A new way to look at things: Helen and the simple present
When you walk into a grammar lesson, you usually expect pens and textbooks. You don't think affirmations on the wall, or teabags and mints stashed about the room. But with her background in art, design and HR, it's little wonder Helen Hotchkin approaches things differently. "I think my background is a real help. It helps me get the best out of my students.”
What Insha’Allah really means and what it reveals about Arabic communication
If you’ve spent time working or living in an Arabic-speaking environment, chances are you’ve heard the phrase Insha’Allah — “If God wills it.” At first glance, it may sound like a purely religious expression, but there's much more beneath the surface. In Arabic-speaking cultures, communication is a delicate art. To understand the people, the language, and the choices behind everyday conversations, it helps to understand not just what is said, but how it’s said. And often, what’s left unsaid.