Language Learning Stories
Kirsten Hombroek

Thank you Kirsten!

Have you been on any language learning trips?

I would say all my trips to Catalonia and the Netherlands helped build my level of both Dutch and Spanish. When I was young I also spent time in France, but I think French has now been completely erased, well apart from the obvious words and phrases.

I also loved learning Mongolian during a longer trip camping and travelling around that beautiful country.

You’re living in The Netherlands now with your husband and two boys – how is your Dutch? How do the kids go with learning their 3rd (or 4th?) language?

We love our new life in what sometimes feels like an old fairytale come to life. The Dutch countryside is lush and pretty – everyone cycles, there are animals and old farmhouses everywhere. And we eat way too much cheese and licorice! I have an unusual relationship with Dutch. I’m quite fluent in understanding spoken Dutch, but then with a basic level of speaking, reading and writing.

It’s been fascinating to watch the language experience of our children, in particular, our 4 year-old son Otto. Last year he spent half a year in a local school in Barcelona, improving his Catalan and then picking up Spanish. Then this year, he started at a local Dutch school but not knowing one word of the language. By the 4th or 5th month he was so comfortable with Dutch we were both a little green with envy! I think the secret to his success has been – he has no shame at all, he just wings it! That and he’s surrounded by young Dutchies, most of whom don’t speak any of his other three languages. Basically, if he wants to play, he has to learn!

Are there any methods you are using for the kids and their Dutch language? And for keeping up their English and Catalan? What languages do you speak at home – to Marc and to the kids?

Otto’s teacher and a speech specialist both were clear on the following – only speak to your children in your native language. Let them learn Dutch from locals instead. We had heard similar advice before, that you go with one language per parent/carer/adult. They’re less likely to mix up languages that way. Though I wonder what people think here in our small town, listening to us speaking different languages between the four of us. Sometimes Marc and I also throw in some Spanish words. It used to be our go-to language in Australia if we were trying to have a more private conversation on the tram or in a shop.

Lastly, do you have any advice for aspiring multilingual parents and families? Anything you wish you’d done but didn’t? Or anything you are happy with how it has turned out?

I think languages feel like different people, you do have to let go of your old self a little – that is something I probably struggle with the most. Sometimes you just have to wait a while before you can make a joke, or swap the bland and predictable small talk for something genuinely interesting!

And of course, if you have the chance. Spend as much time overseas as you can. And maybe not London or somewhere where it might be as easy. Try a new you, in a new language. It’s kind of humbling, scary and exciting all at the same time!

Last week I met my first Australian in nearly a year and a half away from home. She was way more local than I was, she threw me a bit when she said I sounded South African in Dutch. I chuckled but then I thought, wait what?? How can that be, I was born here!! But once I got over my ego, I realised I couldn’t really understand her Dutch either. And then I thought it’s probably the Australian in us that’s getting in the way. All that mumbling, eating of words, not articulating sounds… So maybe that’s my best advice for Australians, try harder to be less Australian – if that’s even possible! 🙂