Have you ever felt the urge to Learn Dutch Language? In the Netherlands, whisper that desire into the wind, and you might just be told to “go see the nuns.” It’s the go-to advice, the ubiquitous solution for anyone grappling with language learning queries in this charming European nation. But who exactly are these legendary “nuns,” and how did I find myself spending an entire week under their (metaphorical) tutelage, attempting to master the intricacies of Dutch?
Why the Dutch Language Became My Challenge
Let’s rewind a bit. I found myself in Amsterdam, a city celebrated as the fourth most proficient in English among non-native speaking cities globally, according to the 2022 EF English Proficiency Index. Ironically, the top three spots were also claimed by Dutch cities. However, my initial Dutch experience wasn’t in the bustling capital. In 2019, I moved to a quaint village in the north of the Netherlands to join my boyfriend. Brexit deadlines loomed, and my relocation was swift. Before I could even unpack, the world shifted with the onset of Covid-19, disrupting our plans to move to the city.
For 18 months, I was the sole expat in a small Dutch town, surrounded by native Dutch speakers. My Dutch language skills? Non-existent. I couldn’t distinguish Dutch from any other language in a lineup. While the locals were incredibly welcoming, my situation felt isolating. Language barriers obstructed cultural understanding and social interactions. Traditional avenues for making friends were closed off, and no one around me shared my experience. I had traded my familiar life for a remote Dutch village just as the world went into lockdown.
Frustration mounted, morphing into fear and then anger. “If only I could learn Dutch language right now!” I would often lament, feeling overwhelmed by the linguistic and cultural gap. This desperation led me to “the nuns.”
Discovering the “Nuns of Vught” and Regina Coeli
Regina Coeli, located in Vught, a town in the southern Netherlands, is renowned as a premier institute for rapid foreign language acquisition. Colloquially, its instructors are known as the “Nuns of Vught,” a nod to the actual nuns who established the language school back in 1963. Their remarkable success quickly turned “going to the nuns” into a common phrase for anyone seeking to learn a language, especially Dutch, quickly and effectively.
While the original nuns no longer teach, Regina Coeli boasts a diverse team of over 200 language experts from around the globe. They offer courses in ten languages, including Arabic, Chinese, German, English, French, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. Though discreet about their alumni, rumors suggest that royalty and prominent sports figures, particularly football managers and players needing to quickly adapt to new teams, have sought their language expertise.
Intrigued and hopeful, I decided to explore this reputed institution to tackle my Dutch language woes.
Facing My Own Obstacles: Anger as a Language Barrier
Regina Coeli isn’t just open to anyone; prospective students undergo an intake interview to assess their suitability. To my surprise, I was initially deemed unsuitable. “In my opinion,” the interviewer gently explained, “you are too angry to learn Dutch language right now. You resent the language and the situation, and learning requires willingness, not resentment.”
She pinpointed my frustration accurately. I did resent feeling forced to learn Dutch, and being told I couldn’t access this potential “magic pill” to language fluency felt like another blow. However, masking my underlying frustration, I managed to convince her of my genuine desire to learn Dutch and my eagerness to immerse myself in the process. Against the odds, I secured a spot and, in October 2021, embarked on my week-long intensive Dutch language course.
Intensive Dutch Language Learning: What to Expect in a Week
Let’s be realistic: can you truly learn Dutch language in a week? The straightforward answer is no. Fluency requires sustained effort and time. However, a week at Regina Coeli provides something incredibly valuable: a solid foundation. You grasp the fundamental rules of Dutch grammar, understand sentence structure, and begin to decipher the logic behind the language. This foundational knowledge significantly enhances comprehension, even if fluent speaking remains a longer-term goal. Moreover, the immersive environment dramatically boosts confidence in pronunciation and speaking Dutch aloud.
My five days at Regina Coeli were a blend of individual lessons, group sessions, and multimedia self-study. Days were intensive, stretching from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, punctuated only by a lunch break. Around 20 individuals were focused on learning Dutch language alongside me, representing diverse nationalities and skill levels. Some were complete beginners like myself, while others were advanced learners aiming to refine their professional Dutch. The contrast was sometimes humorous; I’d hear advanced learners in neighboring booths confidently discussing complex business propositions in Dutch, while I was still mastering basic greetings.
The course is undeniably demanding. Wednesday is often cited as the critical point when exhaustion peaks and motivation wanes. Your brain feels overloaded, yet you’re only halfway through the intensive program. Frustration and vulnerability are common, but surprisingly, so is a sense of exhilaration from pushing your limits.
The Value of Immersion: Was it Worth the Investment to Learn Dutch?
Absolutely, the experience was invaluable. Regina Coeli courses are a significant investment, often sponsored by employers. While I managed to offset the cost through my freelance business, considering the intensive one-on-one instruction, access to specialized resources, full-board accommodation, meals, and even gym and massage chairs, the price felt justified for the comprehensive experience offered.
Although prior basic Dutch knowledge would have been beneficial, I still gained a tremendous amount. The language became less intimidating, and being compelled to speak Dutch aloud helped me overcome my self-consciousness. Re-entering a learning environment after years was also surprisingly enjoyable. Sharing this unique experience with fellow expats created a sense of camaraderie and easy connection. We were all in it together, grappling with Dutch grammar in a former convent, being guided by (non-nun) instructors.
The most profound realization, however, echoed the intake interviewer’s words: negative emotions like resentment, frustration, anger, and fear are significant barriers to learning.
Becoming “Nun” the Wiser: Beyond Language Fluency
I went to “the nuns” seeking a quick fix for my integration challenges. While speaking Dutch would undoubtedly simplify daily life, it wasn’t a magic solution to broader life adjustments. My week at Regina Coeli made me realize that while I couldn’t become fluent in Dutch in a week, I could make significant progress and, more importantly, shift my perspective. Starting to learn Dutch language was a step forward, just as moving to Amsterdam and embracing new experiences were crucial for adapting to my new life in the Netherlands. Long-term change rarely comes from instant solutions.
So, thank you, “nuns of Vught.” A year later, my Dutch might still elicit a chuckle from native speakers, but my fear and frustration have diminished significantly. The journey to learn Dutch language is ongoing, but the intensive week provided the essential jumpstart and mindset shift I needed.
