Praat Nederlands met me!

Raising children abroad often means navigating multiple languages and cultures at the same time.

In this episode of Praat Nederlands met me! Wendy van Dalen speaks with Natalie Lukkenaer about her experience raising a multilingual child while living in different countries.

Together, they explore what happens when children grow up between languages, how Dutch can slowly fade into the background, and what parents can do to keep it part of daily life.

Natalie shares honest reflections on both the challenges and the beautiful moments of multilingual parenting. From language choices at home to identity and belonging, this conversation offers practical insights that many international families will recognise.

Whether you are already living abroad or preparing for an international move, this episode will help you better understand how to support your child’s Dutch language development in a natural and sustainable way.

What happens when a Dutch child grows up between three countries and three languages?

In this episode of Praat Nederlands met me, Wendy van Dalen speaks with Franca, a Dutch mother who raised her daughter abroad, first in London and later in France. Today, her daughter Fleur is 23 years old and speaks Dutch, English, and French fluently.

What makes this story particularly interesting is that there was no strict language strategy, no formal Dutch lessons, and no complicated system. Instead, the family focused on something simple but powerful: consistency and connection.

Franca shares how she always spoke Dutch with her daughter, why maintaining the Dutch language felt important to her, and what it was like to watch her child grow up between cultures. She also reflects on emotional moments along the way, the role of family ties in keeping Dutch alive, and what she might have done differently, especially when it comes to writing in Dutch.

For parents raising multilingual children abroad, this episode offers reassurance, perspective, and a valuable long-term view of what multilingual upbringing can look like over the years.

🎧 In this episode, you’ll hear about:

Moving abroad with a young child and adding new languages naturally

Why consistency in one language can make a big difference

Identity and belonging when growing up between cultures

Emotional moments parents experience when raising children abroad

What parents often underestimate about multilingual upbringing

Whether you are currently living abroad, recently returned to the Netherlands, or simply wondering how to keep Dutch alive in an international environment, this conversation offers honest insights and encouragement.

The Doorstroomtoets 2026 results are being released and for many international families, this can feel like an uncertain moment.

What do the numbers actually mean?

Is the test decisive for secondary school placement?

And what happens if the score is higher or lower than expected?

In this episode, I explain clearly and calmly:

• The difference between Cito and IEP scoring

• What reference levels like 1F and 1S really mean

• How the final school advice is determined

• When a school must reconsider the advice

• Why one test never defines your child’s future

If you are navigating the Dutch education system as an expat or international family, this episode will help you interpret the Doorstroomtoets results with clarity and confidence

For a full written explanation, visit this article via this link.

If you would like personal guidance, you are always welcome to reach out via email or via our contact page.

In this solo episode, Wendy van Dalen, founder of Dutch for Children, explores what it really takes for expat children to feel at home in the Netherlands.

Spoiler: it’s not just about grammar and vocabulary! Discover how cultural awareness, social confidence, and modern Dutch slang all play a role in helping kids integrate into daily Dutch life.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why language alone isn’t enough for integration
• Everyday struggles expat kids face in Dutch schools and playgrounds
• How Dutch for Children goes beyond grammar with life skills and cultural tools
• The importance of modern youth vocabulary like “bruh” and “sigma”
• Real-life example: Emma’s journey from outsider to confident Dutch speaker
• What you, as a parent, can do to support your child’s integration

🔗 Links & Resources

📩 Book a free intake & personalized learning plan

🌐 Learn more about Dutch for Children

📚 Blog: Integrating Expat Children in the Netherlands

💡 Explanation: "Multi-language audio" or "Audio dubbing" on YouTube. 

It allows subscribers to upload multiple audio tracks in different languages for a single video. Viewers can then choose their preferred language (like changing subtitles) and hear the video dubbed in that language.

📌 Where to find it: Viewers will see a language/audio option (like a globe icon or settings gear) and can switch audio tracks, similar to what’s possible on Netflix.

This solo episode explores how to keep your expat child’s Dutch language skills active and growing during the summer holidays.

From everyday learning moments and creative games to online tools and Dutch summer camps. We’ll share practical, fun ideas to help your child avoid the summer dip and stay connected to Dutch playfully. Whether traveling or staying home, this episode is packed with inspiration for a Dutch-filled summer! 🌞🇳🇱

Links

• Love reading about this topic? Read the blog about Dutch summer learning.
• For reading for your children, check out issuu.com, a website full of reading books and workbooks.
• Schedule your free online meeting with Dutch for Children.

What Dutch language level is your child expected to reach in school? How do the Dutch reference levels (1F, 2F, 3F, 4F) compare to CEFR levels like A2 or B1? And what do they actually mean for your child’s education?

In this solo episode, Wendy van Dalen, founder of Dutch for Children, explains everything you need to know about Dutch language levels in education, whether your child is living in the Netherlands or abroad.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What do the Dutch reference levels (F- and S-levels) mean?
• How are they used in Dutch schools?
• What are CEFR levels, and how do they differ?
• How to support your child toward the right level?
• Why may academic Dutch require extra guidance?
• And how can Dutch for Children help your family?

📖 Prefer reading? Here’s the full blog article with all the details:
👉 Dutch language levels explained.

Ready to help your child grow in Dutch with joy and confidence?
📌 Book a free consultation via this link.

🌐 Explore our online lessons via our website.

In this special episode of Praat Nederlands met me, I’m switching roles: from host to guest! I share my personal journey of living abroad as a Dutch mother — from raising my children in countries like Spain, Curaçao, and Aruba to founding Dutch for Children, an online language school supporting Dutch expat kids worldwide and international children in the Netherlands.

Tune in as I talk about the joys and challenges of keeping the Dutch language alive across borders, what inspired me to start a flexible, personalized online school, and why maintaining your child’s connection to their language and culture matters so deeply.

Whether you're a Dutch family abroad, an international parent raising multilingual kids, or simply curious about bilingual education, this episode is filled with insights, relatable stories, and practical tips.

👉 Listen now and discover how language can bridge worlds, one word at a time.

Links:
Dutch videos for all ages
Online Dutch Library

Personalized Dutch Lessons for multilingual and expat kids have so many benefits. When it comes to learning a new language, every child is unique. This is especially true for international and expat children learning the Dutch language! Their life experiences, exposure to language, and academic levels often don’t match the standard classroom model.

At Dutch for Children, we believe personalized learning is not just a nice option, but it’s essential. Whether your child is catching up, reading ahead, or struggling with Dutch vocabulary, our tailored lessons meet them where they are.

In this episode, you'll hear what personalized learning is, why it matters for multilingual families, and how we make it work for children from all over the world.

Links:

• Videos of our personalized lessons
• Experiences from other international parents
• Schedule an online free meeting now

Today’s guest is someone truly special: Romanie Spierts. She is the mother of two sons, grandmother of five, and a modern shaman who works especially with pregnant women and international mothers.

Romanie has lived in Germany not once but twice, with a return to the Netherlands in between. Her journey through motherhood, migration, multilingualism, and identity is one that I believe will resonate with many of you.

Links:

Romanie her practise

Many international parents wonder whether Dutch is simply too hard for their child to master, especially when it is not spoken at home.

In this episode of our podcast, 'Praat Nederlands met me', We unpack the myths around learning Dutch as a second (or third!) language. We talk about grammar, pronunciation, cultural immersion, and — most importantly — real student stories that prove it’s absolutely possible.

This is for you if you're raising your child abroad, planning a move to the Netherlands, or just want to support their multilingual development.

📌 Listen now and discover how to confidently support your child’s Dutch learning journey.

Links:

Get in touch with us today for quality lessons for your child.

Read more about the myths and strategies.