From our blog
News, developments and articles from Regina Coeli
Groetjes!
You’ll come across the word ‘groetjes’ in all sorts of places in the Netherlands. In the closing phrases of emails, on postcards in souvenir shops (groetjes uit Amsterdam), but also during conversations when you’re out and about. You might hear ‘groetjes’ instead of ‘doei’ or ‘tot ziens’ when someone says goodbye. And have you ever heard someone say, ‘Doe de groetjes aan Jan’?
Sharpen your saw
Language is the most important tool we have for communicating. Without it, we cannot express how we feel, what we want and who we are. You may recognise that feeling when you suddenly have to explain something in Dutch, German or French, noticing the frustration bubbling up as you search for the right words.
Building trust and a network through Arabic
Samuel Hanna Gadalla started a new job in sales at Story Auto Import-Export over six months ago. Exactly the right man for the job, his boss thought. That’s because Samuel not only knows everything about cars, but he also speaks fluent Arabic. At Story Auto Import-Export, they could put that to good use because they export loads of cars to Arabic-speaking countries. So why did we spot Samuel attending an Arabic course at Regina Coeli?
Petite conversation, très important!
With a little knowledge of the French language, you might be able to sort out what a French text is all about. And perhaps you could write an email with the help of Google Translate. But what if you’re paying a visit to your French supplier? Of course, you take the time to prepare your story in French well. L’affaire est dans le sac*, you might say. But then the moment of truth arrives. Your contact person receives you enthusiastically and fires a few questions your way with a big grin. In French! Quoi? You weren’t prepared for that!
Ten tips for doing business in Italy
Italy has one of the largest economies in Europe, but not one of the most accessible. Sometimes, it can be challenging to get your foot in the door there, not only because of the numerous regulations but also because of culture. So, what works when doing business with Italians? Regina Coeli’s Italian language trainers have put together these ten cultural tips to help you succeed in Italy.
Learning Russian: How hard is it?
Read or listen to Russian without any previous knowledge, and chances are you won’t be able to make heads or tails of it. But does that also mean that Russian is a difficult language to learn? There are two essential keys to understanding the Russian language.