Horizons by Kickstart School

annual - 1st edition - 2017

KICKSTART SCHOOLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MAGAZINE

A TOUCH OF HOPE An interview with a volunteer from the Romanian orphanage Stichting Livada.

IN THE WORDS OF OUR STUDENTS! Testimonials written by Kickstart School students for our blog covering interesting subjects about expat life and the language learning process.

THE INSIDE SCOOP ON ENGLISH EXAM TESTS! Everything you need to know about the exams. What you have to study, how to be prepared and much more.

EDITORIAL “I THINK THAT THE NEW MAGAZINE PROVIDES AN EXCELLENT PLATFORM TO INTRODUCE YOU TO OUR WONDERFUL TEAM.”

5 JOSIEN DEKNATEL MANAGING DIRECTOR

he end of the year is always a good time to reflect on what happened in that year and to learn some lessons from it. The next step is to make new plans and build on what has been created before. All this is part of the life cycle at Kickstart School. We are a teaching organisation, but we are also learning at the same time. What I have learnt is that continually reinventing oneself keeps the company fresh. We should not fall into the trap of complacency. This is one of the reasons that we have decided to take the plunge and start Kickstart’s very own magazine ‘Horizons’ and launch it at our famous end-of-year party. This is the very first edition and I am proud to write the first editorial for it. I think that the new magazine provides an excellent platform to introduce you to our wonderful team. The people working hard behind the scenes make sure that the course administration works like a welloiled machine.

“

This magazine has been created for our customers and it will also serve to demonstrate the talent of our expat student group. Every term when we organize the blog competition for our students over 20 entries are produced and it is a joy to read all of them. We believe that writing of such high quality deserves a little more attention, so we have made a special selection for this first edition. However, I would still suggest that you check out our blog page frequently! This magazine marks a point in time where Kickstart really has become a well-established company in the market. We have seen tremendous growth over the past 2 years. It all started as a one-man band 16 years ago and now we are proud to hire 25 teachers who do a wonderful job. We have collected about 1900 reviews over the last 2 and 1/2 years and the average score is still 8,8. I would like to mention some of our

achievements and future plans. For Dutch we have added a 2- week intensive course for two levels and we have introduced a weekend Stepping Stone II course. For English we are introducing two very intensive formats for Pre-intermediate and Intermediate level. This will enable students to cover one, or even two language levels in one term. In order to accommodate the extra students, we will have the use of 3 new classrooms in a building across the road. We have also invested in a lot of promotional items, such as rucksacks, bloc notes, pens etc. And last but certainly not least, we now have a new tag line: Kickstart takes you further! Basically, I do not want to lose the personal character of the school and that thought has also contributed to the idea of launching this magazine. Creating a feeling of belonging and making a difference in people’s lives is the heart of what we do, which is still as true now as it was when I started off with just a handful of students in a small room in Bezuidenhout. Hopefully you will feel the personal touch in many more aspects of Kickstart School. The magazine is also a good vehicle to highlight the needs of the charity Livada, whose work we support wholeheartedly. They are helping people who have less opportunity than we have. I know the volunteers myself. It is a charity with a hands-on approach who really make sure that the donations are being used properly. I embrace the opportunity to draw your attention to it and I hope you will enjoy learning about their good works. I truly hope you enjoy reading this first edition of Kickstart’s Horizons Magazine. I am already looking forward to 2018 and the new and exciting opportunities that I know will arise.

CONTENT

Meet the team

Kickstart Courses

A touch of hope An interview with Julie Wouterson, volunteer for Stichting Livada, a Romanian orphanage

Kickstart Events Take a look at whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happened during the last 12 months

11.

In the words of our students Read some articles written by Kickstartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s students

26.

Do you know? Fun facts about Kickstart

27.

The inside scoop on English Exam Tests

Horizons Magazine

Address: Laan Copes Van Cattenburch, 86 2585 GE - The Hague Telephone: 070-3607860

Director: Josien Deknatel Editor & Designer: Fernanda Simoes Copy Editor: Isobel Walker

Isobel Walker & Valentina Armini Contact: info@kickstartschool.nl

Meet the TEAM

Josien Deknatel Likes and dislikes: Likes - Running along the

beach at Scheveningen with her running mates; dis-

Kickstart TEAM

likes – rain and people not answering emails!

Bio: Josien Deknatel is the founder of Kickstart

School. She first started her teaching career in the UK and continued teaching when she moved to Nigeria. Back in the Netherlands, she developed a course specifically aimed at au pairs, which was a great success. She then devised tailor-made courses for ex-

Nationality: Dutch Years in the Netherlands: 54 years Position at Kickstart School: Managing Director

Years working at Kickstart School: 16

patriates, taking into account not only their abilities, but also their varied interests and expectations. As Kickstart has grown immensely since 2001, Josien now has to dedicate much of her time to managing the school, which she finds a very rewarding task.

years

Favourite Dutch word or phrase: Hardlop-

ers zijn doodlopers

Valentina Armini Nationality: Italian Years in the Netherlands: 5.5 years Position at Kickstart School: Office Manager Years working at Kickstart School: 3.5 years Favourite Dutch word or phrase: Natuurlijk! Likes and dislikes: Likes - foreign languages,

sun and good food; dislikes - impoliteness, rain and ‘filet americain’.

Bio: Valentina has developed a passion for foreign languages and cultures since she was a child. Thanks to this interest she graduated with a master’s degree in Foreign Languages and Literature. First, she lived in Lisbon, and then, in the international city of The Hague. Her language passion than led her to join

Kickstart School as a student on a Dutch course before working in the office.

Katherine (Kat) Edmonds Nationality: Australian Years in the Netherlands: About 1.5 years Position at Kickstart School: English teacher/Administrator Years working at Kickstart School: 1 year Favourite Dutch word or phrase: Lekker Likes and dislikes: Likes - cooking and eating, reading, indoor rock-climbing; dislikes - having her picture taken, windy weather, house-hunting Bio: Kat is originally from Australia, but she has also lived and worked in Japan, the UK and now the Netherlands. She first achieved a Bachelor degree in Journalism and Communication before becoming a certified English Language Teacher. In the Netherlands, she splits her time between working at Kickstart and studying for her MSc in Archaeology at Leiden University.

Marina van der Beek Favourite Dutch word or phrase: Prima! Likes and dislikes: Likes - reading, cycling

and camping in our little van; dislikes - She hates having to wear her rain suit

Bio: Back in 2009 Marina started working as a

Nationality: Dutch Years in the Netherlands: Since birth Position at Kickstart School: Financial Ad-

Dutch teacher. Soon after that she took up some administrative tasks as well. As the number of tasks grew together with Kickstart, she now mainly takes care of the financial administration. You can always find her at Kickstart on Monday and Wednesday mornings.

ministratior

Years working at Kickstart School: 8 years

Fernanda Simoes Nationality: Brazilian Years in the Netherlands: 2 years Position at Kickstart School: Receptionist/ Marketing Assistant

Years working at Kickstart School: 1 year and 3 months

Favourite Dutch word or phrase: Eet smakelijk!

Likes and dislikes: Likes - exchanging thoughts and ideas; dislikes - staying away from people and things that she loves. Bio: Fernanda graduated in Advertisement with Masters Degree in Integrated Communication. She always works with people and for people. She started

her professional life working in events and editing photos, then her path crossed over into journalism and marketing, leading her to a career in digital media and graphic design. She is currently studying English at Kickstart School as well as being the creative genius in the office.

Isobel Walker Likes and dislikes: Likes – sunshine; dislikes

– illogical behaviour

Nationality: British Years in the Netherlands: 2 years Position at Kickstart School: Administrator Years working at Kickstart School: 6

Bio: Isobel is a native English speaker originating from the UK. After graduating from the London School of Economics with an Economics degree, Isobel worked for 15 years as a retail buyer. She then took a career break to look after her 2 sons. Isobel then moved to Singapore for 3 years as an expat before relocating to the Netherlands where she has become a CELTA-qualified teacher. Isobel has been in The Hague for two years and divides her time between working in the Kickstart office, looking after her family and trying to keep fit! She enjoys engaging with people from different cultures.

months

Favourite Dutch word or phrase: Schijnbe-

weging

Sammy Nationality: Portuguese Years in the Netherlands: 8 months Position at Kickstart School: mascot and “therapy officer”

Years working at Kickstart School: 6 months

Favourite Dutch word or phrase: Buiten (outside)

Likes and dislikes: Likes - Chasing other dogs and running around like mad; dislikes - having to stay at home by herself. Bio:

Sammy is a rescue dog from the North of Portugal. She was a street dog and the foundation ‘Homeless Dogs’ rescued her. She had been sent to the Netherlands to find a safe home. When Josien visited her in her temporary home, Sammy arrested her attention by wanting to sit on Josien’s lap. She looked so help-

less that Josien could not resist her. Josien was allowed to take her home the same day and she has become the centre of attention in her home. Sammy has already followed a couple of private dog training sessions to learn how to behave in the office, to cycle etc. She has become a vital member of our staff!

Kickstart COURSES

Taking you

further!

by Rebecca Groesbeck, former English teacher at Kickstart School.

Are you studying or looking for work, but feel your language skills are letting you down? Does the thought of speaking English or Dutch at a social event or business meeting ﬁll you with dread? If you answered yes to any of these questions, don’t despair. It’s never too late to start learning!

eople have different motivations for learning a language and for understanding that we are constantly developing our language programmes to better meet the needs of our students. We offer a variety of language training programmes, so there’s something for everyone. Learning Dutch will not only broaden your opportunities in this country, but will also help you develop a deeper understanding of Dutch culture and society. Combine this with the opportunity to meet other like-minded expats, and you will quickly realise that learning Dutch is about much more than memorising vocabulary or wrapping your head around the grammar. It is about feeling more at home in the Netherlands. We now offer seven progressive levels of Dutch courses in a range of formats to suit different schedules, as well as Exam Preparation Courses for Inburgering and NT2 Programma II.

prepare students for IELTS, TOEFL, and Cambridge examinations.

re you looking to improve your everyday English? Try our General English courses. Have you reached an advanced level, but you’re keen to learn more? Proficient English could be right up your alley! Want to feel more confident chatting to friends or colleagues? Maybe a Conversation course is what you need. We also offer Business English, IELTS, TOEFL and Cambridge Exam Preparation, Skype courses, and private options as well. What’s more, we also provide Dutch and English language courses for kids.

Who are our courses for? Many students come to us from all over the world and they all have a common goal. They are determined to improve their language skills in a supportive and dynamic environment. Whether you are an expat, company ine years ago, we launched our employee, au pair, or student we have English department, and we a course to fit your Dutch and English now offer General, Conversa- needs. tion, and Business English courses ranging from beginner to advanced levels. We Why choose Kickstart? also have courses and private lessons to We provide quality teaching for a com-

General Courses

A0/A1 A1/A2 A2/A2+ A2+/B1B1-/B1 B1/B2

Starterpack (Beginners) Stepping Stone I Stepping Stone II Stepping Stone III Stepping Stone IV NT2 Programme II

B2/C1

Exam Prep. Course

Advanced Dutch

Courses available at all levels Private and Small Group Courses Skype Courses Dutch for Children

Between our Dutch and English departments, Kickstart School offers up to 60 group courses per term! Next to our group courses we also run online courses – writing courses and Skype courses. Kickstart works together with the students to design a programme tailored to their goals. The lessons can also be supported by exercises and materials on KickstartNet, our online learning platform.

ew terms start in January, April, July and September.

ENGLISH

DUTCH Level

petitive price in a professional, yet personal, manner. We are constantly revising and improving our materials and online learning environment, KickstartNet, in order to create the best possible learning experience for all our students. We work with approximately 25 experienced teachers who provide our students with dynamic Dutch and English classes. With small class sizes, we also ensure that every student receives individualised attention.

Online Courses

A0 A1 A2 B1 B2

Inburgering Exam NT2 Programme I NT2 Programme II

Level General Courses

NT2 Programme II Writing Business Dutch Writing Social Dutch Writing Business Dutch Writing Social Dutch Writing

Elementary Upper-Elementary Pre-Intermediate Intermediate Upper-Int.

Advanced

Courses available at all levels

Conversation Business Exam Preparation Online Courses Courses Courses Courses Pre-Intermediate Intermediate Upper-Int. Upper-Int./Adv. IELTS TOEFL Cambridge:1st (FCE) Cambridge: Bus.(BEC)B2 Advanced Upper-Int./Adv. IELTS TOEFL Cambridge:Adv.(CAE) Cambrigde: Bus.(BEC)C1

Academic Eng. Business Eng. Technical Eng. Academic Eng. Business Eng. Technical Eng.

Courses available at all levels Private and Small Group Courses Skype Courses English for Children

A touch of HOPE

An interview with Julie Wouterson, volunteer for Stichting Livada

How did you become involved spired us every year with new projects therapist who are busy with these kids with Livada Orphan Care (LOC) and new plans! He always visited us in during the day. Otherwise the kids will and what motivated you to do so? Amsterdam each year, on his way to lay in their beds the whole day! It’s amazIn 2008 I was talking with Rudolf Philipse during a neighborhood meeting. He told me that he visited Romania annually because of his IT company there. What he found in Romania in terms of poverty hit him very hard. He decided to give some shoes to the orphans in Romania during Christmas instead of giving Christmas packages to his customers. One of his employees knew the American founder, Bruce Thomas, from LOC, a foundation in Romania that works with children in orphanages. Rudolf ’s story inspired me and I also wanted to help these children. I wanted to do something meaningful for this vulnerable group. (My mum told me that I always said when I was a child “I will help orphans in the future…”) It was meant to be… Within 3 weeks, we decided to set up a private foundation called Livada.

During your work with Livada, is there a particular experience or person that really stands out in your memory? Bruce Thomas, the founding father, in-

Romania, and talked with us about the impact our money had in Romania and asked us about our vision. We got a lot of energy to go further with all our projects. Together we were a great team. In summer 2017 Bruce stopped with this role and moved to another job. The new American staff continue all the good things Bruce started. We talk with them continually and maybe next year we will meet them. It’s a change for all of us, but we all have the power to go forward and help the kids as best we can.

ing to see that most of these kids become happier, less shy, etc. LOC tries to get these kids in foster care as soon as possible; most of these kids have parents, but the parents couldn’t take care of them. I really hope that LOC will find a lot of foster parents or adoptive parents to take care of these kids. We will support the new parents with money and goods. I also really hope that the poor people in Romania get the opportunity from the government to develop themselves and their kids. So kids can stay with their own family with their own culture... If What do you see as your greatest they give their kids the right structure success so far and what is your in life, the kids will do the same in their greatest opportunity for future de- future.

velopment?

The greatest success is the foster care program. Little kids came from the most awful situations (abandoned, abused, hospitalised) to live with lovely foster care families. The foster parents are so involved with their new kids. They give these kids a normal family life and a place they can be safe! The warmth and love the parents give them is amazing! Also, the baby hospital project. We made a nice safe room in the hospital. We arranged volunteers, an educator, and a

What are your hopes for the future of the organization? What would you like to have achieved in five years’ time, for example? We will make sure that the kids we have supported and continue to support will grow up like our kids. We will help the children to lay a foundation for a better future for themselves and those around them. That will make Romania well balanced in future!

What advice would you give to people who want to help or get involved with a charitable organization?

www.livada.nl secretaris@livada.nl

LIVADA PROJECTS Projects supported by Livada since 2008.

School project: Every year will give 400 kids school supplies so they can go to school to make their future!

Hospital Care: Our LOC staff and volunteers work to assist the hospital staff in the care of abandoned babies in Ludus hospital. Casa Juliana: A group home that offers orphaned children a place to stay. This project focuses on investing in the children not only physically, but spiritually, emotionally and educationally.

”

I do this job with all my heart, I do this job with compassion for the kids and their “mams” and educators, and I do this job to make the world a little bit better! It’s really a gift that I can (and should) do this job! If you want to help us or you want to support another vulnerable group of children or adults, follow your heart and do it! Another important thing in this job is that we have found some sponsors who will help us every year or on a regular basis, who make it possible to do all the projects. Every year it’s a challenge to get enough money to support all the projects we want! We have lovely friends, clients and companies who support us and trust us in the job we do! Together we will make the world a little bit better!

OLUNTEER V , N O S R E T JULIE WOU G LIVADA IN T H IC T S FOR

do a lot for the e w r, te la rs a ye 0 1 Now, almost ge, but also for the a n a h rp o e th m o fr children rticipate in a p t a th a re a y rb a e children in the n rojects several beautiful p

”

Medical assistance: Due to the medical situation of the kids living full-time in LOC group homes, we have enlisted the help of a specialist that offers medical services and full-time medical care Tutors: Due to the fact that most of our LOC kids are behind in their education, we need special needs tutors/educators to help our kids through the Romanian education system. Foster care, special needs kids: LOC considers that the best opportunity to help the kids that are reaching graduation age is to find a family that they could live with, learn from, and be integrated in to. The project covers some of the basic costs for this child once he enters into the full-time care of a “foster family.” For more information, www.livada.nl secretaris@livada.nl

Kickstart EVENTS

CHRISTMAS PARTY by Isobel Walker

very year Kickstart gathers its students, teachers and friends to celebrate all the accomplishments of the year and also to cherish friendships. The much anticipated end-of-year party includes a pantomime, where some of our students and teachers can let their hair down and show their acting skills as well as their language abilities! In 2016 it was Sleeping Beauty and this year it will be Jack and the Beanstalk.

he party also includes a dessert competition where students can win some fantastic prizes. In 2016 there were over 30 delicious desserts entered! Everyone wants to be given the tasty job of judging the entries!

A day at the Fair 2017

by Kat Edmonds

IamExpatFair

what this lovely city has to offer its intern the 4th of November, the national residents. historic Grote Kerk played host to the 2017 IamExpat Fair ickstart School was lucky in The Hague. It was wonderful to see enough to participate, and we’re the sheer number of local businesses so glad we did. From the moand services trying to make expat life in ment the doors swung open, we were The Hague that little bit easier. inundated with questions regarding Dutch and English language training. he event was the brainchild of We chatted with patrons until we were the IamExpat team and was specifically designed to bring the hoarse. But at the end of the day, we felt it was a job well done. And we look international community together, to forward to seeing some familiar faces in make them feel welcome, and to make them aware that their needs are catered our upcoming courses! for. Expat Fair: www.iamexpat.nl he fair featured representatives from the field of education, financial and legal services, career assistance, accommodation services, relocation services, childcare, and more. Not only were these representatives available for one-on-one consultation at their stands, but there were also numerous free workshops and seminars throughout the day. The seminar topics ranged from Dutch language tips and tricks, to how to navigate the Dutch tax system – this one in particular was packed to the rafters with eager expats. It was both surprising and heartening to see the expat community come out in force. But it wasn’t only residents from The Hague who made a day of it. People came from Rotterdam, Utrecht, Amsterdam, and even further afield, to discover

In the words of our students

hree times a year we run a blog competition where our students can show off their writing skills with the opportunity to win a free course at Kickstart School. We have had some fantastic entries over the years, the best ones are used on our website and some of them are included elsewhere in this magazine!

log Winner B ion it t compe ly April-Ju 2016

Tips & Tricks

Five tips that help you to better learn a new language

Category

by Milena Alexova, Dutch student April 2016-April 2017

illennials are encouraged to learn as much as possible, thus, learning new languages is crucial. My first foreign language is English and I have been studying it for as long as I can remember. Later on German and French came along, but only at an elementary level. My next step is learning Dutch! The biggest challenge I face when learning a new language is keeping up with the vocabulary and speaking properly. Vocabulary is essential. If you do not know the words, then how can you speak the language? Vocabulary is tough because no matter how much you study it, you tend to forget certain words, or you get introduced to a bunch of new ones. Speaking the language properly is, of course, not going to be perfect in the first few months, but pronunciation is key to mastering the language. Thus, practice, practice, practice!

Hereby, I present you with five tips for learning a new language. Let’s imagine that Dutch is the foreign language, and English the ‘native language’.

revise and repeat, it might not work at its best for you. 2.Use flashcards Flashcards are a well-known way of studying vocabulary. Trick: It is easier to look at a word in Dutch and say what it means in English. The other way around, however, is more challenging and further strengthens your knowledge. Pros: Trains your mind to be flexible when changing languages. Cons: Again, if you do not repeat regularly, it will not work at its best. 3.Review grammar at home and immediately do all exercises available I find grammar very easy to learn, although sometimes tricky. However, repetition is key. So I always do all the available exercises after having a glance at what we have studied in class. This way I repeat and use what I have learned in many different ways. Pros: You are prepared for the next class. More importantly, you get to lock in the knowledge from the previous lesson. Cons: If things are unclear, there is nobody to explain the logic behind your questions in the heat of the moment, which might be crucial for memorising. 4. Ask questions

Connected to Tip #3, if anything is unclear, it is essential to get your questions explained. I usually study 1. Repeat words 10 times while with my Dutch boyfriend in the room writing them so he often explains if something is I write the word in Dutch and then its ambiguous. However, some rules translation in English, while saying and exceptions can only be properly both of them out loud. Then I conexplained by a professional, like your tinue writing only the Dutch word teacher. Thus, note down your ques10 times, while repeating it verbally tions and ask them before the class both in Dutch and in English. starts. Pros: Helps you memorize the sound Pros: You get to understand what of the word and its meaning at the was not clear to you. same time. Cons: If you have too much of a Cons: Time-consuming; if you do not focus on logic, sometimes you might

find it hard to understand certain things about a language that cannot be explained by logic or reason. The teacher might say, ‘This is just how it is in Dutch’, which might bother you. 5. Speak/read out loud as much as possible Since this is the part that requires the most practice, you have to try and speak as much as possible. Living in a country where everybody speaks English perfectly, I really struggle with speaking and practising Dutch in real life. Luckily, my boyfriend is Dutch which gives me a lot of freedom to talk. Sometimes I think of a question (‘Is “afstappen” a separable verb?’) and get the answer right away.

Additionally, Dos: • Understand the material • Think of examples • Do your homework Don’ts: • Don’t skim over the material • Don’t skip classes or exercises • Don’t get distracted Using those tips and tricks helps me learn any new language better and more efficiently. Learn how to get the most out of every situation, self-develop and surround yourself with people who can help you acquire knowledge in a more useful way.

Tips & Tricks

Category

Who said learning a new language was easy?

– Well I say it as easy as making new friends. by Kayla Joubert, Dutch student - 12 Apr-28 June 2016

o learning a new language is an exciting, intimidating and challenging subject that you will rejoice over and complain about ... Kind of like a new relationship! We have all been there – I know you can relate. The biggest trick I’ve found is to keep on treating a new language like a sexy, interesting man or woman – and not like a family member whose flaws and secrets you all know, and whom you always try to avoid at those big family gatherings.

Time and courage

Riding on the relationship analogy, we must commit to spending time with our new, sweet language: reading, writing, listening to, and then – like going public with your new relationship – speaking it.

As much as movies like to suggest that secret relationships are what keeps partners interested and excited, I’ve learnt that speaking a language has kept me going back to its intricacies time and time again (and by that I mean studying grammar).

the grammar of a language. Gramof the seven languages. Ultimately, mar is like getting to know what he you should dig into the culture as you or she likes, their interests, hobbies, dig into the language. and dreams. In the same way that we remember these points which give us insight into someone’s character, we must find ways of retaining the grammar that builds our understanding of the language we are learning. 1. Association: We do it all the time – associate new names, dates and places with things that we already know. Similarly, the vocabulary of your new language is easier to remember when you associate it with words or sounds from your home language (assuming you speak a home language that can be found in its written form as much as it is spoken).

Keeping it simple At the end of the day, the most important thing to remember is that your mind sees letters in a specific order, as a picture with which meaning is associated. Equally, your brain pro2. Similarities: I believe this is a cesses the spoken language as sounds personal thing, comparable to wheth- to which meaning is attached. er you are a blonde or brunette kind of man, or a muscular or sleek kind of As that man or woman you mused woman. I am merely referring to your over has become your partner or best own personal method of studying. friend, there are a million things that The more you are aware of the way have changed about what you think you take in information, the greater of them, and the way you talk to your chances are of studying effecthem and about them. Therefore, in tively. I call this point ‘similarities’ the same way, let the new language because placing verbs or other gram- you are learning become more than mar structures that share similarimere knowledge, but rather an extenties into groups has personally been sion of your expression. my greatest strategy to success.

Dig deeper

As much as a new language needs to be learnt it must likewise be underTake my word for it: the boldness stood. It’s like the way you learn to required to speak to that guy or girl love the things that seemed strange who is making eye contact with you or maybe even irritating about that from across the room comes from the new person, because it is a part of same place as the boldness required what makes them who they are. So, when ordering your first meal in your also, the way people speak stimulates new language. Yep, that’s right! The the culture they live in. courage and boldness lies in your endeavour, no matter the result – Matthew Youlden, who speaks seven you’ve failed when you’ve stopped languages and is Babbel’s Language trying. Ambassador (a language learning app), said in an interview that he has Endurance experienced that he takes on a cerEndurance in a relationship is like tain personality when he speaks each

r-up Runnece pla ly Ju p A ril2017

Working in NL Category

DUTCH AT WORK

by Lucas Tostes, Dutch student from 2016 to 2017

to trust each other. You don’t have to worry if you feel you’re not getDutch people are famous for being ting enough responsibilities at first, very practical about things. I find it because if you say you can handle especially amazing how practical they something, Dutch people won’t think are about work. And they are practwice before assigning things to you. tical not only because of their effiBut make sure you really can handle ciency in the way they work, but also it, otherwise the trust can be gone as because you soon get to understand quickly as it got there. that they do so to make sure they Formal education and certifications have plenty of time to spend at home might play a big part in salary and and for leisure activities. That for me position negotiations, but as soon as sounds much more interesting than you’re there, all it takes for people aiming for your boss’s approval by to trust you with an opportunity is being in the office ten hours a day. saying you can do it – and then really Tip: Focus on getting things done doing it on time. And be aware: this and not on looking busy all the time. easy trustfulness might be easy to In fact, if you don’t look too busy but mistake for an ‘I don’t care’ feeling. at the same time get a lot done, you I myself was so unused to such a bewill for sure get some respect from haviour that it took me some time to your Dutch colleagues and boost your understand that they do actually care growth path. – a lot – about your work.

Practical information

Taking it personally

The Netherlands is a place where boundaries between work and personal life are very well defined. It’s amazing how heated discussions and tough work decisions can be easily followed by a friendly happy hour where plans for the weekend are the most important topic. I personally find that astonishing (especially being a hot-blooded Latin-American person!). On the other hand, Dutch people also tend to keep their inner friendship circles outside work. Don’t get me wrong, they are often very open to building a friendship with you, but don’t expect them right away to invite you to something other than the standard colleagues’ happy-hour. Tip: Take the initiative to build friendships with your Dutch colleagues instead! Even if they are not willing to, they definitely won’t get offended if you ask and you might as just be surprised by how much more open they are than they seem to be.

Trust people People in the Dutch work environment have a natural willingness

leagues’ busy calendars.

Advice My biggest tip for someone who is new to the Dutch work environment would be: give the Dutch way a try! Let it sink in a little bit and you will soon notice how much you can learn from it. Trust me, your Dutch self has a lot to share with you!

A day at work

Punctuality Needless to say, there is a difference in punctuality between the Netherlands and Brazil – especially in the work environment. Regardless of how important you are or how big your role is in the meeting, don’t ever expect a meeting to wait for you to start fifteen minutes late, nor to have it extended after the planned ending time.

Tip: Keep your times sharp! Otherwise you might end up having to wait for more than a week to fit the rescheduled meeting into your col-

Working in NL Category

The key to success in finding

Winner Blog competition April-July 2017

a job in the Netherlands

am a dreamer. Ever since I was in college, one of my biggest dreams was to work abroad, where I could travel and experience the world and its cultures from a different perspective. After nearly fifteen years living abroad, I can say with a big smile on my face that I am living my dream. This didn’t happen from overnight. Below are my tips.

by Adriana Salazar, a private English student

can couple with lovely twins. Next to learning math in French, I learnt that no matter what you do, you should never bow your head or let success go to your head. That was a priceless experience.

Learn Dutch

It is true that you can work in The Netherlands without speaking Dutch, but come on, does it make any sense? Do voluntary work If you are not planning on learnNo matter what kind of background ing any Dutch, why are you here in or working experience you have, one first place? Through language you of the easiest ways to enter the Dutch can discover magical things about a labour market (and for sure the most culture, you become more aware of rewarding one) is through voluntary the why and the how, and you just get work. Mine was with ACCESS, a the most out of your experience living not-for-profit organisation that helps here. international settle in the NetherWithin two years I had passed the lands. Their main services include NT2 Programme II exam. It has been information about health services, also one of the best decisions I made, lifestyle, learning Dutch, living and and because I now work in an intergetting around. I started there as national company where the official Information Desk Officer and I learnt language is English and 50% of the loads of things about this country, but employees are internationals, I can also about the expectations of people honestly say that knowing Dutch has that, like me, came here hoping to put me in a privileged position. make their dreams come true.

Be flexible. Getting the dream job takes some time

Boost your CV and contact the right people

After some Dutch working experience, some money in my pocket and fairly good Dutch language skills, I could go for my dream job. But I knew I needed to boost my CV somehow, which is when I looked for an internship with an NGO, something more related to my interests. While working as an intern, I improved my CV with the help of the EU templates and I started looking for a ‘real’ job. I visited several employment agencies (uitzending My first job in the Netherlands was bureaus), which specialised in inwith a newspaper delivery compaternationals, like Undutchables and ny. My task consisted of delivering newspapers and promotional material Adams Multilingual Recruitments. door-to-door in the ten blocks around Fake it until you become it my house. I was paid peanuts but I still remember the two beers (literal- I did several interviews until finally ly) that we enjoyed with that money. someone believed in me. For someone My second official paid job was as a with a legal background, it was an nanny. I got hired by a French-Afriodd position for me to take a job as

a junior Financial Officer (with little to no financial experience). I took the risk, and I told myself that I could make it work. I just needed to tell and repeat to myself time and time again that I was capable enough to perform in that position (or any other). This happened five years ago. Today, I am a Quality Specialist with high emphasis in Finance. I have been given the opportunity to give fascinating cross-cultural and multi-functional trainings and to build capacity in different countries around the globe. Sometimes I still wonder if I should be doing what I am doing, but the truth is that I am enjoying my work, I am living my dream and I am learning more and more every single day about this wonderful experience of learning by doing.

r Blog Winne etition comp pr Jan-A 2017

Settling in NL

Category

Proactive and Positive by Jennifer van ‘t Hof, Dutch student - 2017

s an international teacher, I have lived in a number of countries including the UK, Qatar and the UAE. I have been living in the Netherlands for over four years now, and only this year I bit the bullet and signed up for my first Dutch Beginners’ Course. Full of nerves, I signed up for Kickstart School and as I now reach the end of my Starterpack Course, I can say I have more knowledge of the language and, more importantly, I am now focused on becoming more confident living everyday life in this Kingdom by the Sea. So how did I cope with moving to the Netherlands from the Middle East? What might I have done differently?

layers and enjoyed feeling cozy with a With this said, I waited far too long new scarf, hat, gloves, jacket, thermal to develop my language skills. Yes, socks, and waterproof trousers! you can get by with no issues, but the confidence I now have to speak Dutch Enjoy the Country at a very basic level makes me feel great. I am taking a step towards feelIt is vital to not expect the Netherlands to be a carbon copy (or anything ing more integrated in a country I call my home. I love being in the Nethclose!) to the country you have come from. It took me a while to find shops erlands and upon reflection I think I like, restaurants, hangouts or other the Kickstart experience would have things that make life easier (or more helped me four years ago. I look forward to the next course and beyond. manageable!).

Newcomers Be proactive and positive! You will survive here – this country is GREAT! Take confident steps to make you happy. Consider why you are here and what you want your life to look like. Consider things you can change and take the step (or ‘leap’, if you’re like me) to learn the language.

The Weather Many people struggle with the dark, cold(ish) climate. I must say it was a slight culture shock for me coming from the desert, but no big deal in comparison to the windy, harsh north-east of Scotland where my family live! I think it is vital to anticipate the Dutch climate in advance and to know the facts. Winters are longer than you might expect and it rains more than you may foresee!

Trying not to compare the Netherlands to other places has been important for me. I enjoy the Netherlands for what it is. An example is to ask around to get advice on places you will enjoy eating, drinking or meeting new people. In addition, I recommend visiting different places for short vacations or long weekends. I love to visit the south of the country and have also ventured to Texel as well as neighboring countries such as Belgium. Everyone knows the “must-see attractions”. Enjoy these and then go further and talk to the Dutch people to look past the stereotypes you may hear.

The Language My advice is simple: look up at the sky. Even when it is chilly outside, we have beautiful blue skies and fluffy clouds. During the short days, sometimes you forget to look up from your work desk. I find time to wrap up and go for a brisk walk, enjoying the fresh air that so many European cities lack. I made sure I was prepared with

The anticipation of learning Dutch has been the worst part for me. For many expats, Dutch is not required. We might find ourselves in an English-speaking workplace, within a community of expat friends, within a country where almost everyone speaks English (much more proficiently than they believe).

My top three tips: 1. Remember that bad weather doesn’t last forever. Have ways to make the darker days positive and enjoyable. In spring the flowers will pop up everywhere; it’s amazing to see the change and all the colors, PLUS the cherry blossoms! 2. Rent or buy a car and visit different places outside the “Randstad” to get a true sense of the country. 3. Don’t wait around in an expat “comfort bubble”. Consider taking action that you might not need but I guarantee will help. Success!

Settling in NL Category

Settling in The Netherlands: To Love or Not to Love?

by Irina Kustovska, Dutch student - 25 Jan-5 Apr 2017

f you google Holland (which later you will know is correctly the Netherlands), you will see mostly great things. The Dutch are considered to be some of the happiest people in Europe (despite the weather) and the Netherlands is well-known for being a progressive and liberal country.

to briefly highlight my own impressions about some of the procedures that gave me the most headaches at the time:

Municipal registration This is where everything begins. Be sure you are aware of the limits and obligations of your residence permit and that you are properly registered at your municipality. They will give you your BSN number and send you useful and important information by post (albeit in Dutch!).

Time to enjoy now! When the major settling work has been done you can start to hire other basic services and enjoy your new life. My advice would be never to give up mastering Dutch. Language is a fundamental part of culture and learning it will help to understand, love and integrate into Dutch society, building up a new circle of friends. It even can help you to reduce expenses. For example, the tons of ads in the post can be useful in saving money by shopping with korting!

So you could wrongly assume that settling in the Netherlands would be like a stroll in the Keukenhof. However, in their constant search for precision, the Dutch have a particular way of complicating things and making everything part of a system, Bank account which may sometimes seem overly structured (or not structured enough), You need a bank account to activate and hire all sorts of different services, particularly for newcomers. but have you seen any banks while walking through the city? Me neither. Understanding and getting familiar with the system is not easy, especially Most banks have very few offices if you do not know the language, but available for appointments, so be sure itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not impossible. But after learning to make one well in advance and come in time with all the required docusome basic things and having some mentation. frustrating experiences, you will be well on your way. Everything will Insurance and medical services start to flow easily and calmly, like So, to love or not to love the Netherwater in a canal. Health insurance and in some cases lands? Of course, to love! Despite all third-party insurance are compulsory, its complexity, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great country! so this should be your first concern. If you catch a cold (and with the wind and rain you probably will) or get sick from haring indigestion, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impossible to get any medication (apart from the infamous paracetamol) or to see a specialist without a referral from your family doctor. So find out where the closest one in your neighborhood is and register straight away. Paperwork and again paperwork More than the cultural shock with the Dutch straight-forwardness, or acquiring a taste for Hollandse Nieuwe Haring, our first main challenge was all the different paperwork and registrations that you have to undergo in order to be a functional member of the Dutch society. Since I would have appreciated some guidance in this regard, I would like

School system It turns out primary school is obligatory from the age of four (not six, as in my country). Children can already be registered when they turn one year old. If you register them late they will be put on a waiting list and since they cannot be on different lists simultaneously, my advice would be to scout out your preferred school well in advance and give your kinderen their registration as their first birthday present.

Language p Runner-u e c pla Sep -Dec 2016

Comparisons Category

It’s not all bloemkool:

A Dane’s perspective on learning Dutch by Barbara Witt, Dutch student - 2017

rom my very first visit to the Netherlands – a short trip to beautiful Delft – the Dutch people and culture felt mysteriously familiar to me. As a Dane, I felt very

much at home, as the Netherlands and Denmark have quite a lot in common: lots of rain, people on bikes wearing practical clothes, rather direct and informal interaction with others, and a non-authoritarian way of bringing up their children.

example. Similarly, some language concepts are very much alike in Dutch and Danish, such as numbers – eenentwintig (enogtyve in Danish), zestien (seksten), honderd (hundrede) – or telling the time – kwart over vier (kvart over fire), half drie (halv tre), vijf over half twee (fem over halv to).

My real-life working vocabulary is still very limited. Also, my very nonDutch pronunciation makes me doubt All in all, these similarities made it that even those few words are undercomparatively easy for me to learn to stood by a Dutch person. My Dutch us read Dutch just by using everyday, sounds like oo rather than y, my gs in convenient means, like reading Dutch graag – one or both – sound flat and subtitles while watching my favourite Danish and not at all Dutch. sitcoms on TV, recipes in food magazines, menus at restaurants, and even Also, knowing German helps me the lists of ingredients on supermar- to understand more Dutch words. ket products. However, the German pronunciation drilled into me at school tends to interfere with my Dutch pronunciation, making my Dutch ik sound like the German ich, for example.

However today, a few years later, I believe that in some ways the two countries are deceptively similar – looking past the surface I have noticed many small and surprising differences. This is also the case when I look at the Dutch language from a Dutch is totally incomprehenDanish point of view. sible!

Dutch is reassuringly familiar... Well, first I had to get past the pronunciation of the Dutch language. Danish is a somewhat ‘flat’ language, so in the beginning all I could hear were the – to my ears – harsh sounds of the Dutch gs, rs, schs, etc. Still, I did grow used to that after a while and started to hear the actual words.

from talking! I tend to realise this when, for example, I am talking to a supermarket cashier or a waiter and can’t think of anything to say in Dutch except for the basic dank u wel, alstublieft, ja graag and tot ziens.

However, now we come to the ‘deceptively familiar and thus easy’ part. I find that as I am confidently reading my Dutch texts, I suddenly stumble upon a word which is completely different and, to me, totally incomprehensible – not to mention very difficult to pronounce, like the Dutch words lichaam, mooi, erg, graag, nooit, leuk, buiten, etc. The list is long.

Proving the urban myth? For now, I am not entirely convinced that the ‘Danes learning Dutch’ myth is true. I have finally started a Dutch beginner’s course which has definitely helped me to expand my working vocabulary and feel slightly more confident about speaking Dutch out loud. My ambition is to learn to speak Dutch fluently and to document this by passing the highest exam possible. Currently, though, I would be satisfied with simply getting through dinner at a restaurant speaking only Dutch, or reading a Dutch children’s book.

Doing simultaneous translations into Danish of Dutch books for toddlers Further, identical words in Dutch and when reading to my two-year-old Then I found that reading Dutch is has already proved very educational. much easier. Danish and Dutch have Danish have totally different meanmany similar words. For example, the ings, adding to the confusion. For ex- Without these books, I might never ample, kapsel (hair style) means cap have learned the meaning of invalwords bloemkool, pastinak, lekker, in Danish, bord (plate) means table, uable words like billen (bottoms) or kantine, betalen, overmorgen, etc., the possessive pronouns hun/van hen slabbetje (bib). Also, I will do my best are (almost) the same. (third person plural) connotes someto set aside my reservations about Dutch and Danish sentence structhing female to me, as in Danish hun speaking (poor) Dutch in public and tures are also very much alike, means she and hende means her. And continue to practise, practise, pracmaking them easier to comprehend so on. tise! than when looking at them from an Secondly, reading is very different English-speaking perspective, for

Language

Comparisons Category

Perspective!

Winner Blog competition Sep - Dec 2016

by Karla Hyman, Dutch student from 2016 to 2017

here do you come from? What do you do? What are you accustomed to?

We all perceive a country differently depending on the various filters we have acquired - our backgrounds and our imaginations. Living on three continents in three years has taught me a lot about relocating and settling in. About overriding your own thoughts, fears and habits to align yourself with your new environment.

All your senses wake up. Whenever I relocate, I find myself freshly perplexed by the strangeness of a new country and its inhabitants. I have noted the various facial expressions that form on new arrivals’ faces. Frowns emerging from befuddled thoughts as they witness a car stop for a cyclist. Gaping mouths of awe as they stare at the ridiculously enthusiastic participants at Carnaval or Sinterklaas. Watering mouths aimed at the Nutella-smothered-whipped-cream-covered treats. Shameful, blushing cheeks at the angry scowls of the older generation who never miss an opportunity to remind the world of the sidewalk rules and regulations. I have even noted the longing in my eyes when I stare at the sky hoping for the faintest hint of blue. Moving to any country has its ups and downs. Unlike its landscape, moving to the Netherlands can be a rocky road filled with highs and lows. At least it was for me.

Space Your eyes mark similarities and differences. Making sense of street signs, noting the Dutch and their impeccable taste in shoes and observing the lack of mountains. Your ears sing with the quietness of the cities, instilled by decades – if not centuries – of self-assurance and history. At first I missed the loudness, the

comfort of being surrounded by many. I kept asking, where is everyone? The cities here felt empty. But as I got to know the Dutch I realised the cities aren’t empty. They have simply left room for everyone. In this country there is room to grow vegetables and tulips. In this country there is room for parks and pop-up art exhibitions. In this country there is room for you. Your personality and all your weirdness. The Dutch don’t judge.

coffee isn’t a thing here. So if you haven’t made plans for this Saturday – then you don’t have any plans for this Saturday. Plan ahead of time or you will sit twiddling your thumbs staring into the cloudy grey abyss. The bottom line? Here the appointments and rules aren’t made to keep you in line, but rather to keep you efficient. Or out of the efficient person’s way. But there are exceptions. The Dutch aren’t afraid to have fun and, come Carnaval or any festival, all In Africa I woke to the smell of ocean seriousness runs out the door only to air and fynbos. In Asia all I could return on Monday morning. smell were spices and decaying fruit. Another thing that might help with And Holland? Caramel and perfume. regards to your social life is understanding this very important thing: Respect the Dutch love board games and their And what do the Dutch leave in their general knowledge is off the charts. perfumed wake? Expectancy. AlAt first, like me, you might hate it. though it may be daunting and quite But after a long cold winter filled with frustrating at times, I love how this random facts bouncing around in your country expects the best of you. Not head, you will know exactly what to be rude, but because they sincerely Catan is and how many versions and believe that everyone can do a little additions there are. And you will love better. And things? Everything can it. be fixed. If not, it should be replaced. Be curious Today. Also, ask. If you don’t know someSocial scheduling thing, if you need something, if you are curious, just ask. The Dutch do. And if you don’t want to ask, there is an app for pretty much everything. So if you are stuck, stop, connect to free WIFI and download an app to help you with whichever problem you might face. There is transport pretty much everywhere. Oh, and do you need a landmark to help get your bearings? Use a church. There are And as a nod to the best version of many. themselves, the Dutch are always on Last, but not least, learn the lantime and rarely cancel. Which, when guage. Like in most countries, it I read the blogs and first arrived, is very much appreciated. I would seemed amazing. But what I hadn’t rather struggle through two minutes realised is that every occasion was and let the Dutch counterpart switch planned ahead of time, written into to English than start off a conversaan agenda. tion in English first. You should learn Spontaneity isn’t really a thing here. Dutch. By speaking. Today. Jumping in your car and driving off to an unknown destination on a Sunday, quickly popping in for a quick cup of

The Netherlands through the eyes of a short Englishgirl

Through the eyes Category

by Hannah Bingham, Dutch student - Jan-Apr 2016

hen I first moved to the Netherlands from the UK a little over a year ago, I never imagined how difficult it would be adapting to my new life here. Although The Netherlands is barely 200 miles from the UK, there are some very notable differences between the two countries.

the UK, we drive on the left side of the road, and our steering wheel is on the right side of the car. Having this reversed was so difficult to get used to at first. I am very surprised I didn’t cause any major accidents! There were several occasions where I went to change gear and almost ended up opening my door instead! And while we are on the subject of roads, I am The Netherlands vs the United still not used to the amount of bikes Kingdom over here. In the UK, we very rarely The first thing I noticed (as I am sure use bikes, and don’t have many dedia lot of foreigners have) is how ridic- cated bike lanes. This has been challenging for me, particularly at roundulously tall the Dutch are! I mean, even in the UK, I am considered short abouts, which, by the way, I have to (at only 160cm, I am often the small- drive the other way around now! Also, because I am not used to bike lanes, I est person in a room, excluding chilhave made the mistake of using them dren!). So as you can imagine, movas footpaths, which I can confirm, ing to a country which statistically cyclists do not take kindly to!

Similarities However, there are a few similarities between the Netherlands and the UK which make me feel at home. For example, the Dutch love to drink and have a party! The English are well known for enjoying a drink or 5 at the local pub or bar, and I find that the Dutch are very similar in that respect. Both here and in the UK, any excuse to celebrate is good enough.

day (normally The Netherlands has similar weather to the UK, just a day later) which is very useful. Two things that we Brits enjoy is talking about the weather and complaining… so moving to a country where I can do both things at the same time (i.e. complaining about the weather) is just perfect. I never imagined that I would want to move away from my home country, my family and my friends. But then I met my partner. I came over to The Netherlands to visit and fell in love with him, the country, the people and the lifestyle. I have loved every minute I have spent in The Netherlands so far. It is a beautiful country, and it is full of some of the warmest, best humored and kindest people I have ever met.

Any advice? My advice to fellow British nationals thinking of moving to The Netherlands; always try speaking the language. Although they will more than likely laugh when you get it wrong (which you will because, trust me, it’s not easy!), everyone is always so willing to help, and they appreciate the effort when it’s made. If you are under 170cm, start trying to grow taller! But, if that’s not physically possible, bring plenty of high heels or stilts with you...maybe even bring a pillow for your neck as it will hurt from having to look up at everyone all the time! Oh, and look out for bikes!

speaking is home to the tallest people in the world (the average height for men is 185cm, and 171cm for women), I get lost in a crowd very easily! My partner (who is Dutch, and stands at 197cm) often jokes that I should wear a bell around my neck so that he can keep a track of me in busy places! The other thing for me, specifically as a British person, was learning to drive on the other side of the road and on the other side of the car. In

The other thing I have not had to adjust to is the weather. In fact, I can call my Mum in the UK and get the weather forecast for the following

Through the eyes Category

The Netherlands through the eyes of a Lithuanian person

Winner B competit log io Jan-Apr n 2016

by Ieva Henrikson, Dutch student - Jan-July 2016)

month ago my husband, daughter and I took a long, long flight from oh-so-sunny San Diego, California to our new home- The Hague, Netherlands.

and the Netherlands: Would you like some coffee? LT: Oh, thank you, but I shouldn’t. I already had one today! NL: I thought you’ll never ask! I only had 4 cups today, make it a double! LT: Hey, let’s not make enough parking spots! NL: Let’s not make any parking spots at all!

My name is Ieva and I am Lithuani an. I am also probably one of the few people who can list Dutch weather as a reason for moving into, and not out of, this country! I have a feeling that I have already seen enough to say that. Everytime it is raining here I get slightly sad for California, as it has not rained enough for decades, and the drought is so bad that water is going to be more expensive than margaritas soon! And on the opposite side there is my home country- those guys are hilarious- it is considered a drought after two weeks without rain. It gets even more fun in the winter- as a kid I was officially free from school when the thermometer hit -20C, and -25C in high-school. That’s tough luck, considering the average conditions here, in this beautiful land of wet, yet busy, bike paths! That is how I have developed love and affection for these beautiful cement coloured skies.

must be on your agenda every once in a while, where straight-forward interactions keep you sane, where flowers on one’s dinning table are not a luxury, but a necessity! And trust me when I say that I feel so happy to be able to call this kooky place my home now and raise my little meisje here!

LT: What a great selection of cheeseFrench, Greek, Dutch. NL: There is Dutch cheese and there is bad cheese! LT: Do you have this in other sizes? NL: Do you have this in other lengths?

Oh, and thank you, dear Dutch people, for inventing stroopwaffles, even LT: Extra ketchup on my fries please! though they are as much a blessing as NL: Ooh..mayonnaise and fries- heav- they are a curse when it comes to the bikini season! en! But hey, it is not all that different if you research the right aspects: both Lithuanians and Dutch are highly opinionated; Lithuanians are just slightly shorter than Dutch; both nations drive on the right side of the road. We even drive the same cars, only we drive it 10 years later in Lithuania! Not only that, here are some little dialogues that I have just made up, but they could have definitely happened in real life:

What is that medieval torture device on your feet? LT: We call them Klumpes! There is so many other good things to NL: We call them Klompen! say about this place. Some things will probably never stop amusing and con- What’s for dinner? fusing me, but those make me want to LT[kind of sad]: Potatoes. stay here even more: simple life situ- NL[enthusiastically]: Potatoes! ations made difficult and complicated things made so easy, paradoxes and Case closed! cultural differences, funny situations that are impossible to avoid- they are So, what is the Netherlands like all part of a the great magical experi- through the eyes of a Lithuanian person? ence of the Netherlands. It is the most curious kaleidoscope For instance, here are my top 5 fun of culture, where jumping in puddles differences between Lithuania

Mixed

Category

English is a fun language by Valentina Armini, Kickstart Office Manager

et’s be honest, English is an interesting language to learn. It has grammar rules but not that many and the vocabulary is pretty simple and easier than many other languages. That is also why it is used as the world’s lingua franca.

I know you are trying to figure out that this is actually true! This word can be considered a natural ambigram. An ambigram is officially a typographical design consisting of text modified in such a way that it can be read in multiple orientations, as in mirror image, inverted, or when rotated. Ambigrams are usually used by graphic designers to create commercial logos, tattoos and book covers. They apparently became much more popular when they were featured in Dan Brown’s bestselling novel, Angels & Demons.

On the other hand, pronunciation can be hard to grasp as most of the consonants, vowels and diphthongs can be pronounced in various ways. A few tips can help you to learn English pronunciation more quickly, but it still remains a pretty difficult part of the language learning process. Nonetheless, English is still a fun language to learn, especially because there are so many interesting historical facts and peculiarities that you can discover with just a bit of digging! Let’s look at a few of them!

#1 Famous pangrams Pangrams are sentences that contain every letter of the alphabet. Most of the pangrams that exist in English and other languages are difficult to read and barely make sense.

#3 Is a boy also a girl? Well, let me give an explanation. Until the 15th century the word ‘girl’ was used to address children of either sex. To specify the gender of the child, they used extra words. So if you wanted to refer to a boy, you called him ‘knave girl’. Girls were called ‘gay girls’. Funny, isn’t it?

#4 Long time, no see As we all know, this expression is used to greet people we haven’t seen for a long time. But how is it possible that such a grammatically incorrect sentence became an officially accepted English expression?

syntax and also why it was accepted as a fixed and official expression.

#5 The language of contronyms According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a contronym is a word having two meanings that contradict one another . The English language has many words that have two opposite meanings. Here’s a short list: Fast: moving rapidly; something firm, stable Model: an exemplar; a copy Skinned: covered with skin; with the skin removed To enjoin: to instruct, prescribe, or command; to prohibit or forbid To overlook: to monitor, to inspect; to fail to notice To peruse: to read without attention to detail; to examine in detail To sanction: to permit or grant approval; to condemn or penalize To trim: to decorate; to remove These are just a few examples that show how interesting the English language is. Let us know if you have similar examples in English or in your own language?

However, there is one famous pangram in English that makes perfect sense: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. This is a very famous sentence as it is also used to test typewriters and computer keyThe earliest appearance of this exboards, to illustrate different fonts, and to do anything else that involves pression in writing is from the 1901 all the letters of the English alphabet. Oxford English Dictionary. It is said that the expression derives from a #2 Swims will be swims even form of pidgin English similar to that spoken by Native Americans or Chiupside down nese. This would explain its irregular

Mixed

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EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED by Ahmad Hafiz Rozian, Dutch student Sep-Dec 2017

he 16th of June 2017 was an important date for me, not just because I had a plane to catch to Amsterdam from Kuala Lumpur, but it is also the date when I moved to the Netherlands for good. I had mixed expectations before I moved here. I still remember, Forbes Magazine used to rate the Netherlands among the ‘most unfriendly’ countries in the world. I guess, that could be the reason why my visa application process took “forever” to be approved. For this reason, I expected to be treated differently when I arrived in Den Haag. I was wrong. Instead, I met a lot of interesting, kind-hearted and friendly people around here. One thing that I noticed about Dutch people, although they all speak English doesn’t mean they always want to. Just something to keep in mind or else you might just think that some of them are terribly rude.

Everybody knows that marijuana is legalised in the Netherlands. Back home, I would be imprisoned for selling, buying or even smoking it. I expected to see weed smokers at every corner of the city as well as the countryside. Funnily enough, it can actually be very difficult to find shops that sell marijuana. You cannot buy it everywhere, as you may think. So, don’t expect to come across weed smokers everywhere in the streets. I love food. I believe that every country has their own delicious cuisine that they are proud of. For instance, if you go to my country Malaysia, you must try our popular ‘Nasi Lemak’ which is fragrant rice dish cooked in coconut milk and a pandan leaf serves with squid sambal, together with delicious slow cooked beef rendang on the side. I expected the same of Dutch cuisine. So, when I asked my partner to take me somewhere (like a restaurant) where I could try Dutch cuisine, he drove me to Scheveningen instead. I remember we walked along the harbour and stopped at one of the small stalls nearby. That was the first time I tried Haring – lekker!

Back in Malaysia, most travel agencies promote the Netherlands by displaying pictures of people on bikes in the middle of tulip fields and windmills in the background. They My second expectation concerned all look happy and ‘gezellig’. Forget the weather. Coming from a tropical about it. Cycling here can be absolute country, we don’t experience spring, chaos, especially in the cities. There summer, fall or winter. However, we are people on bikes everywhere, and a do have haze season, flood season, lot of them. They expect you to get out dengue fever season and even ‘durian’ of their way. Therefore, it can be quite season. I think I love winter about as dangerous if you are not paying atmuch as Dutch people hate it. At one tention while crossing the street. My point, I even thought I would experi- recommendation for the newcomers, ence snow during winter time in Den get yourself a bike for your own good. Haag, until my partner told me that it was not going to happen – sigh. If you Apart from cycling, I also heard that wish to experience thick snow where public transportation in the Netheryou can build your own snowman just lands is one of the best in the World like in the Disney’s Frozen movie, - good service, punctual, comfortable then you might need to find yourself a and safe. I totally agree. Whenever I Russian partner instead. feel too lazy to bike, I just take either

the tram or the bus because I know I can rely on it. If you plan to live here longer and travel like a Dutch person, then you must get your own personal OV chipkaart. It is literally the second important card to have after your betaalkaart.

Although the reality is different from what I expected, it is also better than I expected. Things turn out best for those who make the best out of the way things turn out. Doei!

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Category log ner Bition n i W pet com p-Dec Se 7 201

MOVING TO THE

o you’ve travelled the world. You slept in a hammock in the Amazonian forest and survived a night on your own in Bangkok. You swam with sharks, jumped from a plane, and now you feel like you are prepared for anything. You definitely feel ready to move to Netherlands because:

Myth vs. Reality by Paulina Kanska, Dutch student Sep-Dec 2017

Myth 2: You know the weather standing the local culture. There is no better word to describe the native is bad in the Netherlands!

“No biggy!” – I thought. After all I come from a country where the weather is bad too. Consistently bad, meaning - if it rains today, I can be certain it will rain tomorrow. That is exactly the opposite of Dutch weather. On a typical day in the Netherlands, I am lured out of bed by the nice mornMyth 1: You know how to ing sun, only to be surprised by cold cycle! rain on my way to work ten minutes Are you the proud owner of an expen- later. What I have learned from my sive mountain bike and 3 gold medals in downhill jumping? Good for you! But completely useless in the Netherlands… Since public transportation is not the cheapest, and finding the Holy Grail seems more realistic than finding a parking spot for your car, a bicycle became my new best friend in the Netherlands. I’ve cycled for as long as I can remember, yet it took me three days to understand the logic behind the traffic rules for bicycles here. time here is that I should constantly I needed to switch from my monster be prepared. Looks like a sunny day? off-road track vehicle to an elegant Take an umbrella. Looks like there tiny-wheeled city bike. I realized with is no wind? Don’t forget to pack a hat time how handy (and not lame at all!) and scarf. Wearing three easily rethe front basket is, and that crossing movable layers of clothes might come the tram rails can be trickier than a in handy, along with these hourly steep slope. I acquired new skills such weather forecast apps: as: changing a tire, or unfreezing the • Weeronline chain lock. And I found out - the hard • Buienalarm way - that you are not allowed to park Myth 3: You don’t need to your bike wherever you like! (If you find your bike missing in the center know Dutch! of The Hague, try looking it up on Although you are right, generally the city register for wrongly parked everyone in the Netherlands speaks bicycles, before cursing the Polish English, learning a few basics in immigrants. Dutch will help you a lot in underSo, boost your fitness level with some spinning classes! Dust off your rusty knowledge of how to fix a bike! Add this to your shopping list: • pump; • gel seat cover; • waterproof seat cover; • set of bike lights; • chain lock antifreeze; • warm, waterproof pair of gloves. …and you should be good to go!

inhabitants of the Netherlands than ‘pragmatic’. Straight-to-the-point is the general strategy when building a sentence. Let me show you an example of this: English vs Dutch

Now hop on your bike, take an umbrella and cycle to your Dutch class to discover this amazing country on your own!

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GEZELLIG, HÈ? by Valentina Armini, Kickstart Office Manager

hen we start learning a new language, we begin to navigate a journey through the vast oceans of grammar and vocabulary. The more you learn, the more you realise you need to learn in order to really master a foreign language. Specific words or expressions can be that extra step to help you understand (and be understood) in the country and culture of the language you are learning.

Helaas, pindakaas!

owner of an inn or lodge from the past days. The innkeeper who always suspected his guests to swindle him was most likely someone who could not be trusted and who was inclined to do bad things

In het land der blinden is eenoog koning How many times have you heard this common expressions? Does it make sense to you? Keep reading if you want to know more about it!

Have you ever heard of or used this one? Let’s find out more about it!

- Its literal translation is: In the country of the blind, the one eyed man is As with all languages, Dutch has peking culiar words and expressions as well. The more you use them, the more you - ‘Helaas’ means ‘too bad’; ‘Pindakaas’ - This expression is used to say that when people know nothing about a will start to feel like a true Dutch stands for ‘peanut butter’. People use certain topic, somebody who knows person! Let’s have a look at a few of it to say ‘That’s too bad’. a little about it is considered as an them. - The origins of this expression are expert. not certain: somebody says it originat- - This expression may be interpreted Gezellig ed in the early 80’s of the twentieth in a slightly different way: somebody century when a professor in Delft only has to invest a little bit of effort heard it for the first time from a stu- to stay ahead of his competition, if dent; somebody else saw it written in others refuse to invest their time in 1982 in a school magazine in Leeuit. warden; the first time it was used in a - Although this expression is often newspaper was in 1993. accredited to the Dutch philosopher - Nowadays this expression is still so Desiderius Erasmus (“inter caecos popular that Aldi, the supermarket regnat strabus”), the ancient Greeks chain, created its own peanut butter already had a similar expression: ἐν brand in 2012 by the name ‘Helaes τοῖς τόποις τῶν τυφλῶν γλάμων βασιλέυει; It is impossible not to start the topic pindakaas’ ἐν τυφλῶν πόλει γλαμυρὸς βασιλέυει of this month with one of the words Zoals de waard is, vertrouwt that you might have heard in any Which of these Dutch words/expreshij zijn gasten occasion! Here is some information sions do you like the best? Which about the word ‘gezellig’: expression do you think definitely This expression is quite common in should have been mentioned? E-mail Dutch and has also an English equiv- us your favourites? - It is an adjective that comes from the combination between ‘gezel’ + ‘ig’ alent: ‘Ill doers are ill deemers’. Let’s find out more about it: and literally means ‘companionable’ - It is used to describe a cosy atmosphere, a friendly and pleasant compa- - Its literal translation is: How the innkeeper is, that’s how he trusts his ny and/or a cheerful surrounding guests. - It is one of the hardest words to translate due to its several meanings - This expression is used to say that the opinion you have about someone is largely influenced by What is ‘gezellig’ then? Your cosy how you are yourself. house is gezellig; an evening spent - It is only used in a negative context. with your gezellige friends is gezellig; A restaurant is gezellig. In other That is: if you are not trustworthy, you won’t trust others at the same words, everything you find positive, cosy, friendly and cheerful is gezellig! time. - The “Waard” is an innkeeper: the

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n order to help us in the oﬃce, any student that enrols for a follow-on course before the end of their current course will receive a free Kickstart water bottle. It’s really as a token of our appreciation as it helps the workload in the oﬃce a lot, rather than having all the students enrol just before the beginning of a course. It also means that we can plan the rooms and teachers in advance and also provide additional courses if many students enrol.

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English Language Exams Are you planning a move abroad? Are you interested in attending a university course offered in English? Are you hoping to get a position in an English-speaking company? If that’s the case, chances are you’ll have to prove your language ability at some point. Whether it’s for a university application, a visa application, or employment-related – an English language certification is a handy thing to have up your sleeve. The good news is that there are a variety of options available when it comes to English assessment exams. But… you probably have absolutely no idea which one Sammy is a rescue dog from the North of Portugal. She was a street dog and the foundation ‘Homeless Dogs’ rescued her. She had been sent to the Netherlands to find a safe home. When josien visited her in her temporary home, Sammy arrested her attention by wanting to sit on Josien’s lap. She looked so helpless that Josien could not resist her. Josien was allowed to take her home the same day and she has become the centre of attention in her home. Sammy has already followed a couple of private dog training sessions to learn how to behave in the oﬃce, to cycle etc. She has become a vital member of our staff ! s right for you!

The Exams: Cambridge English Exams One thing many people find confusing about the Cambridge exams is that there are several different tests,

each catering to a different language level or purpose; for example, there are specific exams for high school students, for business, and so forth. So, unless you already have an idea of your language level, or you’ve been given a specific benchmark to work to, it can be tricky to know which test to take.

The Cambridge First and Cambridge Advanced exams are popular choices for people wanting to study or work in an English-speaking context. The tests include four sections: Reading and Use of English, Listening, Writing, and Speaking. In total, these exams take approximately three and a half to four hours, though the speaking may be done on a different day. The speaking exam

for these exams is done face-toface with two examiners, and another exam candidate – so there’s another person going through the same thing for you to talk to. If you’re on the shy side this may seem like a drawback, however many people prefer this method as it feels more like a natural conversation. Cambridge exams are offered in both paper-based and computer-based formats.

years.

Arguably one of the biggest draws of the Cambridge exams is their validity period. According to Cambridge English, a certification from one of their exams is valid forever. However, always be sure to check the entry requirements stipulated by your university or company, as some may still ask for a result achieved within the previous two

www.cambridgeenglish.org IELTS IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is specifically designed for people who want to live, work, or study in an English-speaking environment. Unlike the exams discussed above which are divided into different types, everyone takes the same IELTS exam regardless of their language level. That being said, there are still two different versions of an IELTS exam: General Training, which may be used for immigration or employment purposes, and Academic, which is used for university applications and also employment in certain sectors.

well as an overall score. For instance, some university programmes require an overall band score of 7, but the applicant must have received a 6.5 or higher in writing. www.ielts.org TOEFL TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is a standardised test of English capacity, which originates from the US. Unlike IELTS, the TOEFL test is only offered in academic English – there is no general version. It is a widely accepted language certification for university applications, and other purposes. The TOEFL iBT test contains four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing, each of which receives a score from 0 to 30. These scores are then added together to determine the total score out of 120. The total time allowed for the exam is 250 minutes. The test is internet-based (iBT) which means all responses are entered via computer, this includes the Speaking section. Candidates verbally respond to questions presented to them via computer, these responses are then recorded and delivered to an examiner for marking. For some, this is an ideal way to be assessed as it takes away some of the pressure and nerves encountered in face-toface interaction. www.ets.org Final questions to consider: Can you type faster than you can write? Consider a computer-based test like Cambridge or TOEFL. Are you unsure what level you are, or could achieve on an exam? Perhaps you should opt for IELTS or TOEFL as they’re not level based. Are you more com fortable speaking to someone

An IELTS exam consists of a Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking section. The Listening and Speaking are the same for both the General Training and Academic, while the Reading and Writing tasks differ. Unlike the aforementioned exams, the Speaking section for IELTS is done one-on-one so you will face the examiner on your own. IELTS is graded in bands from 1-9. Candidates receive a statement of results containing their scores for each section, and an overall band score which is the average of each section (this means you can compensate a low score in one section with a higher score in another!). Depending on your motivation for taking the test, you may require certain scores within certain sections as

in-person or would you prefer to have your answers recorded? This is also something to consider when selecting an exam. Where do you intend to use it? Different countries have different preferences in terms of language certification, always check what qualification is

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Events 2018 Open Days January Saturday - January 13th 13:00 to 15:00 Monday - January 15th 17:30 to 19:30

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