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Monday, January 21, 2008

Dutch Lessons Take Two

Two of my New Year's resolutions relate to learning Dutch...

1. Take another Dutch course
2. Read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in Dutch

I started early on #1 and signed up for a course with my friend Becky who had a few Dutch lessons in Houston before moving here around the same time I did. We were both given a 10 minute assessment and we both tested into the Absolute Beginner's class. Last Wednesday was the first day of class and I was sooooo bored. It was way to easy. The course was also in Rijswijk which would mean me getting home at around 10:30 PM every Wednesday night.

I finally decided that private lessons are the way to go. At ITHA in Rotterdam (where we took our beginner course) a two person private lesson is almost the same price as an individual private lesson. Therefore I convinced Charles to sign up with me. Starting February 9, the Vaughns are making a second attempt to learn Dutch!

Goal #2 was suggested by a fellow expat who is also learning the language. Her Dutch teacher suggested that she read a simple book whose story she is very familiar with and she got great results. Even if it take me an hour to read a page and I have to use a dictionary for every word I plan to get through it.

1 comment:

Lawfrog said...

Best of luck with Dutch. Not an easy language, but I have no doubt you can do it. My old college roommate spoke Dutch. Very interesting to hear it spoken.