As easy as one, deux, drie

Last January, five years after I came to live in Brussels, I decided the time had finally come to learn Dutch. I was tired of not understanding the guttural tones barked at me between songs on MNM Radio.  I wanted to understand with more clarity my Belgacom bill, which arrived every month in Dutch and of which I understood exactly nothing – in fact, I often wondered uneasily if I could be paying for my entire building’s TV enjoyment without realising it. The meat section of Delhaize was a mystery to me, as was all of Ikea. I would stand, dejected, in the bedding aisle, puzzling over the French and Dutch labels. The pillow I was buying could have been full of feathers or full of lead for all I could tell.  My lack of knowledge of everyday items in either language was frightening. It was time to take action.

In all seriousness, it had slowly become apparent that Dutch was necessary if I was to stay in Belgium. Like many expats, I only really needed English for work. But although I knew French, it just didn’t feel right being cut off from half of the words I saw every day – on the tram, in the supermarket, on the street. Not knowing Dutch made me feel powerless. 

In Brussels, it can be very easy to stay within your comfort zone of speaking English. However, doing so can put you at a disadvantage, socially and professionally, even leaving you with the feeling that you’ve never fully settled into the country. Dutch teacher Eva de Vree believes that learning French or Dutch is more than simply mastering the words of a language. 

“In Brussels especially, you may feel it’s not so necessary – but to really know Belgium and Brussels, to really learn the country and its culture, I think learning French or Dutch is very important,” she says. “It’s more than just a language.” De Vree, from the Netherlands, teaches at the Brussels Education Centre, formerly known as CVO-KHNB. This year she’s been giving a course in beginners’ Dutch, with her students hailing from all over the globe – from Israel to Ireland, Mexico to France. She says students can really benefit from the multicultural class environment, and recalls one day during Japan’s Golden Week when two Japanese students hosted a special tea ceremony for the whole class – all while speaking Nederlands.

“That was a really nice experience,” she says. “And that’s just how it should be with learning a language. We are forced to do so many things these days, there’s so much stress – language-learning shouldn’t be like that. It should be fun!” She advises against sitting at home with a grammar book and instead recommends that students do something they actually like – listening to the radio, reading or watching films in their new language, or just doing an activity they enjoy. This way, she says, you can also meet and get to know local Belgians (for many of us sadly a rare occurrence), and bringing us to her main piece of advice: “Find a Flemish friend and speak with them – it really is the best way!”

One student who aspires to get to know her adopted country through its native tongue is María Gómez from Spain, who has been living in Brussels for two years. She has recently taken an intermediate French course at EPFC, the Brussels Institute for Further Education. She started learning French mainly to improve her chances of getting a job and also to feel better integrated in Brussels. “Also, I hated the feeling of saying ‘uhh… ehhh… ehhh’ every time I spoke French!” she says. “It was frustrating. I really felt it was something I had to do.”

She previously took language classes at her local commune but found the pace to be too slow for her; she says learners may have to explore a few language schools before finding the right fit. Her efforts recently paid off as she found a job which requires French, and she believes the classes played a big part in getting the position. “Especially for my writing skills – I’m confident writing emails and letters now. And I’ve found a job which wouldn’t have been possible without knowing some French, so yes, it has worked out well.”

Gómez has been motivated by her positive experience with French, and intends to continue with the language. She’s also planning on taking Dutch as she feels it’s important for a career in Belgium. And what’s her secret to learning a second language here in Brussels? “It’s not difficult here – you’re surrounded by languages and people in the city every day without even being aware of it, which is a great thing!” 

If you’re thinking of learning a language, there are a few things to keep in mind while choosing the best approach for you. Many of these depend on your reason for learning French or Dutch, and how urgent it is. Consider what you have time for – intensive or once-weekly lessons? Would private lessons at a convenient time suit better, or do you prefer the dynamics of joining a large group? There’s also the choice between a private language school or a government-subsidised or university-funded establishment.  

Some people also choose the option of learning a language autonomously, but this requires a lot of determination. As de Vree says, “Classes are very beneficial in this respect as you’re forced to communicate and speak, and it keeps you motivated and in contact with the language. It’s also nice, as in class students tend to help each other out if they’ve understood a concept.” Especially if you’re new to the country, joining a class can also help you make friends and new contacts and help you feel like you’re taking steps to settle in.

Ten tips on learning a language

Live with French- or Dutch-speaking housemates

Speak with colleagues during breaks at work

Join a conversation table held by the Couchsurfers community

Join a local sports team

Make a Belgian friend!

Do a language exchange and share your knowledge

Find a favourite TV show or radio station in your target language

Practise speaking with another expat who’s learning the language

Make a Belgian newspaper your homepage, and scan the headlines every day

Read children’s books to build your confidence and consolidate the basics

And most importantly: don’t get frustrated by what you don’t know. Every new word you learn is a positive step.

So it seems the consensus is that while it’s important to learn the local language, don’t get too bogged down in your grammar book – grab a friend and get out there living and learning as you go. And take the first steps towards becoming a proud French or Dutch speaker!

This article was originally published in Newcomer Magazine, 2013