My Newest Challenge: Learn Dutch

DutchclogsIt’s been quite a while since I’ve written anything here.

I was essentially between jobs when I started this blog, so I had a lot of free time to write. But I’ve been busy since September when I moved to the Netherlands and started a new job. Cheese, butter, and clogs. That’s about all I knew about Holland before I got here. I’m still a relative newbie when it comes to all things Dutch, but I’ve learned a bit. Did you know that Holland isn’t even a country? Watch the video below to understand how Holland and the Netherlands fit together…

Today I just want to let my loyal readers (all 3 of you?) know that I’m still alive, and intend to get this ball rolling again soon.

An atypically clear day in Amsterdam.
An atypically clear day in Amsterdam.
Since moving to Amsterdam, I’ve met a group of other language learners, called the International Language Café Amsterdam. I’ve also agreed to take on a co-leadership role for this group starting next year. This means I’ll get to try out some of my crazy language learning ideas on some live guinea pigs before I write about them here! Don’t you feel relieved?

Living in the Netherlands also makes for a good opportunity to learn the local language: Dutch! And I’ve already begun learning some Dutch vocabulary, with the help of Anki and AnkiDroid, which are some great tools I intend to write about in greater detail soon.

If you also have an interest in learning the Dutch language, I invite you to join me in supporting the Dutch Language proposal from the StackExchange network, which I have written about previously.

And now, as promised, an entertaining look at the difference between Holland and the Netherlands. And Dutch and German. And the United States and Dakota…