Rediscovering your own mother tongue
29 May 2025
What happens when you look at your own language through the eyes of someone who has yet to learn it? For me, that meant a rediscovery of Dutch and what makes language so special.
For a long time, I did not teach in Dutch. Although it is my native language, I felt much more comfortable teaching in French and German. Those languages I had studied intensively for years. I could smoothly explain grammar in them and felt I could really contribute something. Dutch, on the other hand, seemed too obvious to me and frankly: a bit boring.
Don't get me wrong: I have always enjoyed Dutch in literature, poetry and wordplay. But in language training where the focus was on Dutch as a means of communication (in meetings, phone calls or emails) there seemed less room for that depth.
Explaining vocabulary was of course easier in Dutch, but I missed the challenge. My love for French and German ran deep. Dutch felt like a language I ‘just spoke’, but had not explored professionally.
Until two years ago, I decided to take on more requests for Dutch training anyway. And to my own surprise, I really started to enjoy it. I dove back into my native language, with the eye of a language teacher. The origin of Dutch words and expressions (etymology) also turned out to be an added value in NT2 lessons. It was like rediscovering my own language.
What makes classes even more interesting are my students. They come from all over the world: Bulgaria, South Africa, Zambia, Ukraine, Lebanon, France, Turkey, England...
That diversity makes teaching extra challenging and enriching. We compare language structures, look for logic, and see how their native language can help them learn Dutch. I learn as much from them as they learn from me.
Personal stories also often surface during the lessons. You get a glimpse into other lives and perspectives. This connects people.
And yes, when you take a closer look at your own language, you suddenly hear 'language mistakes' everywhere. Phrases like “Hij doet dat beter als mij” then stand out. (Maybe you too wonder what's wrong here? ) Correct would be: “Hij doet dat beter dan ik.” But in the end it's all about the message, and that usually does come across. In conversations, that's more important to me than grammatical perfection.
The picture above shows three of my Dutch students. They all take individual online classes, but came together especially for a Dutch language table. It was a nice exchange, full of recognition. And the language stress that might still have been there a bit in the workplace? That has now completely disappeared.
What I approached somewhat indifferently at first turned out to be a source of new energy and inspiration. Teaching Dutch challenges me, enriches my outlook and brings me into contact with people from all over the world. And that is perhaps the most beautiful thing about language: it unites.
Written by: Sofie Martens - language supporter of Landa Languages
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