This week I received this beautiful video from Noortje. I taught her children for many years. They live in Italy: Noortje is Dutch, her husband is Italian, and their children are bilingual. This is their story!
In this video, Noortje, mother of Nina and Antonio, shares how the online Dutch lessons at Dutch for Kids helped her children take their language skills to the next level.
I started especially with her youngest, using playful activities like conversation charts and games to improve his speaking skills. Her eldest already spoke Dutch well and needed more practice in spelling, grammar, and reading comprehension.
Both children made great progress, and their Dutch has grown into a solid foundation that they still benefit from today.
From young students to confident young adults
Nina and Antonio started their online lessons with Dutch for Kids at a young age. They live in Italy, while I worked with them from the Netherlands via Skype.
Every week, they were excited to sit down for their online Dutch lesson. Each child worked at their own level, with unique goals and challenges.
For Nina, the focus was on improving grammar, spelling, and reading comprehension. Meanwhile, Antonio initially concentrated on speaking. I used conversation charts to stimulate his speaking skills and later expanded into writing and reading.
They completed lessons through elementary school, and at one point, they even began tackling high school-level material! It was amazing to see how, step by step, they fully mastered the language.
Personalized and tailored lessons
Noortje highlights in her video that one of Dutch for Kids’ strengths is the personal approach. It’s wonderful to hear because every child is different. That’s why we always look at what a student can already do and where the challenges lie. Our tailored lessons ensure that children can grow at their own pace, without pressure, but with plenty of motivation.
Noortje also mentions about the lessons:
“The contact with the teacher was always pleasant and positive. It gave me peace of mind knowing my children were well-guided.”
More than just lessons: 3 tips to boost language development
Besides the online lessons, Noortje and her children did much outside class to improve their Dutch. Here are three tips you can use to enhance your child’s language skills:
- Watch the Dutch youth news together
One of Nina and Antonio’s habits was to regularly watch the Jeugdjournaal via www.jeugdjournaal.nl. This not only helped them develop their listening skills but also taught them more about the Netherlands and global events. - Speak Dutch at home
Noortje made sure to always speak Dutch with her children at home. Using the language in everyday conversations kept their Dutch active and vibrant. This is a simple yet effective way to stimulate language development while living abroad. When the whole family was together, they spoke Italian, so their father wouldn’t miss out. - Visit the Netherlands regularly
At least once a year, Noortje traveled to the Netherlands with her children and husband. These trips were not only valuable for maintaining family bonds but also for practicing Dutch in a natural environment. When possible, they even met up with me, making the learning experience even more special.
A solid foundation for the future
Today, Nina and Antonio are confident young adults with a strong foundation in Dutch. They use their second language frequently, for instance, during visits to the Netherlands.
I look back on their lessons with a smile: I still follow Nina and Antonio on social media, and it’s wonderful to see how they remain connected to the Netherlands.
Do you want your child to confidently learn to speak, read, and write Dutch, no matter where in the world you live? Sign up for a trial lesso below and discover how Dutch for Kids can make a difference!
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