Have you ever heard whispers about a secret weapon for language learning in the Netherlands? Mention wanting to Learn Dutch, and almost magically, someone will suggest, “Go see the nuns.” These aren’t just any nuns; they’re the legendary ‘Nuns of Vught,’ and they’re synonymous with rapid language acquisition.
But who exactly are these famed polyglot educators, and what’s it like to spend a week under their (metaphorical) tutelage, immersed in the Dutch language? I embarked on this linguistic pilgrimage to Regina Coeli, the institute behind the myth, hoping to crack the code of learning Dutch quickly. Here’s my experience.
Why the Urgency to Learn Dutch?
Moving to Amsterdam, a city celebrated for its English proficiency (ranking consistently high globally), might seem like a soft landing for an English speaker. However, my initial Dutch experience was far from urban. I first settled in a quaint village in the northern Netherlands. Brexit deadlines loomed, and life decisions led me there swiftly in 2019. Before I could truly settle, the pandemic reshaped the world, and city move plans were paused.
Suddenly, I was an expat island in a sea of Dutch speakers. My Dutch vocabulary was non-existent. Imagine being dropped into a place where you can’t decipher the simplest sign or social cue. While the villagers were welcoming, the isolation was profound. Making friends, understanding local culture – everything felt locked behind a language barrier. Fear and frustration mounted. The solution, I convinced myself, was to learn Dutch immediately. And that’s when the whispers about the ‘nuns’ became a shout.
Unveiling the ‘Nuns of Vught’: Regina Coeli
Regina Coeli, located in Vught, is internationally recognized as a leading institute for accelerated foreign language learning. The nickname ‘Nuns of Vught’ is a nod to the nuns who established the language school in 1963. Their early success in language education solidified the phrase “going to the nuns” as the go-to solution for anyone serious about learning a language quickly and effectively, especially Dutch.
Interestingly, actual nuns no longer teach at Regina Coeli. Today, a diverse team of over 200 language experts from around the globe teach ten languages, including Arabic, Chinese, German, English, French, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. While they maintain discretion about alumni, rumors suggest a clientele of royalty and high-profile sports figures, particularly football managers and players needing to swiftly grasp the language of their new teams. It sounded like the intensive Dutch learning experience I desperately needed.
The Interview: Mindset Matters for Language Learning
Regina Coeli isn’t just a language school you can enroll in without assessment. They require an intake interview to evaluate suitability. My initial assessment wasn’t promising. “I believe you are too angry to learn,” the interviewer gently stated. She astutely pointed out my resentment towards the language and the feeling of obligation to learn Dutch. Her insight was clear: negative emotions impede effective learning.
Initially, I bristled at the feedback. Being told I couldn’t access this potential ‘magic bullet’ for learning Dutch felt like a setback. However, I managed to (somewhat falsely) project a more positive attitude and eagerness to immerse myself in the Dutch language. Against my initial odds, I was accepted and scheduled for a week-long intensive course in October 2021.
Immersion: A Week of Intensive Dutch
Can you truly learn a language in a week? Realistically, no, not to fluency. But Regina Coeli offers something incredibly valuable: a strong foundation. In one week, you can grasp the fundamental rules of Dutch grammar, understand sentence structure, and begin to comprehend the language’s framework. This newfound understanding significantly improves comprehension, even if fluent speaking remains a longer-term goal. Furthermore, the immersive environment builds confidence in pronunciation and speaking aloud.
My five days at Regina Coeli were a blend of individual lessons, group sessions, and multimedia self-study. Days were structured and demanding, from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, punctuated by a midday lunch break. Around twenty individuals were focused on learning Dutch during my week, a diverse group of nationalities and skill levels. Some were complete beginners like myself, while others aimed to refine their professional Dutch. The intensity was palpable. They say Wednesday is the critical point – the day many feel overwhelmed. Brain fatigue sets in, exhaustion is high, yet two more full days of Dutch immersion remain. It’s a rollercoaster of frustration, vulnerability, and surprising exhilaration.
Was the Investment in Learning Dutch at Regina Coeli Worth It?
Absolutely, 100% yes. The cost of Regina Coeli courses can be significant for individuals, which is why corporate sponsorship is common. I justified it as a business expense, reasoning that learning Dutch would directly benefit my career in the Netherlands. Considering the intensive one-on-one instruction, specialized resources, full accommodation, meals, and even gym and massage chair access, the value proposition becomes clearer, especially if you can offset the cost professionally.
While prior basic Dutch knowledge would have been beneficial (as they recommend), I still gained an immense amount. The Dutch language felt less daunting, more approachable. Being compelled to speak Dutch aloud broke down my fear of making mistakes. I also rediscovered the joy of structured learning, a feeling reminiscent of university days (though not quite as distant as 1967!).
Connecting with fellow expat language learners created a unique camaraderie. Sharing the somewhat unusual experience of being intensely taught Dutch in a former convent fostered quick bonds and easy conversation.
However, the most profound takeaway echoed the intake interviewer’s words: a negative mindset hinders learning. Resentment, frustration, anger, and fear are significant barriers to absorbing new information, especially a new language.
Wiser and Ready to Learn Dutch
I initially sought out the ‘nuns’ as a quick fix for my integration challenges. While speaking Dutch wouldn’t magically solve all my problems, it was undoubtedly a crucial step. Regina Coeli didn’t grant me instant Dutch fluency, but it offered something more valuable: a starting point and a shift in perspective. I didn’t need to learn Dutch in a week; I needed to begin the journey. This realization empowered me to take other proactive steps, like moving to Amsterdam and embracing the experiences that initially drew me to the Netherlands. Long-term change rarely comes from quick fixes, and language learning is certainly a long-term endeavor.
So, thank you, ‘nuns of Vught’ (Regina Coeli). While my Dutch might still elicit a cringe a year later, my fear and frustration have significantly diminished. The journey of learning Dutch is ongoing, but the intensive week provided an invaluable, mindset-shifting launch.
