From our blog
News, developments and articles from Regina Coeli
Meetings in the Netherlands
Nowhere else will you have as many meetings as in Dutch companies. The Dutch adore consulting, brainstorming and meeting up. Even though you often hear them sighing about their diaries being packed with back-to-back meetings, the alternative—no meetings—would be even less appealing. Then the Dutch would feel left out and that their opinion does not count. Do you find Dutch meetings something of an enigma? Then read on for some pearls of wisdom and helpful tips.
Sing along to Dutch classics
The later it gets in evening, the bigger the chance that the entire cafe you are in will break out in a sing-along of Dutch hits. And then there you are—the expat. Why not seize the day and take that opportunity to improve your Dutch? No one will even hear you in a cafe full of music and merrymakers belting out tunes? So join in! There is no better way to work on a language than singing. Read why!
Alaaf! The language of Dutch Carnival
Seven weeks before Easter Sunday, Carnival starts in a large part of the Netherlands. Especially in the provinces of Noord-Brabant and Limburg, life is dominated by this feast for a few days, but Carnival is also celebrated in some places in the eastern part of the country. Carnival means ‘carne vale’: farewell meat. Carnival marks the beginning of a fasting period, although few Carnival-goers still honour that tradition...
From being understandable to speaking Dutch powerfully
Many people who learn foreign languages would like to sound like native speakers. But even when you exclusively speak the new language for years, you can still end up with a noticeable accent. How can you work on proper pronunciation from the start? We spoke about this with Yvonne Tupker, a speech therapist and Dutch language trainer at Regina Coeli.
New Year festivities in the Netherlands
December is a month of festivities in the Netherlands. It all starts with St. Nicholas which is celebrated by young and old. But almost as soon as he has weighed anchor and set sail for Spain in his trusted steamboat, the Dutch are making plans for Christmas and the New Year. Whereas Christmas is generally a more intimate celebration when families get together for a festive meal, New Year’s celebrations are much more exuberant. How do you survive New Year’s Eve and the countless New Year’s drinks parties that are held in January?
Learning Dutch at the kitchen table and in museums
Most people know Regina Coeli thanks to our “week with the Nuns” concept. At times, clients have somewhat unique training requests, which we do not at all mind because we then get the opportunity to rise to the challenge. Fifteen-year-old Dafna Heule’s programme is a good example of a course that was composed entirely according to the client’s needs.