Bert van Essen, Author at XPAT.NL

The Difference Between a Resume and a CV

If you’re an expat living and looking for work in the Netherlands then there are some vital differences you should know about in regards to your job applications. In the Netherlands, as with most places in Europe, the norm is a CV rather than the resume which is commonly used in the United States amongst other countries. If you’re used to writing resumes, then this article will help you understand the crucial differences and additions your resume will require to make it into an impressive European-style CV that will help you secure a decent job in the Netherlands.

Length

The most obvious difference between a resume and CV is the length. While resumes are supposed to display your career headlines in a clear and concise way fitted on one page and tailored to the role you are applying for; a CV, while it should still be a summary rather than every detail of your work experience and academic career, can be a longer and more complete document of 1-3 pages long.

Aside from your work experience, contact details and skills list that are all commonly included on both CVs and resumes. A European-style CV usually includes additional info on your academic career and training, evening going back as far as secondary school in many cases (although if you have been out of school for a while don’t focus on this). Resumes tend to focus mainly on professional achievements, rather than the academic, so here are some of the key things you should discuss on your CV.

Work experience: companies, roles, employment periods, main tasks and references
Unpaid/voluntary experience
Educational background: universities, majors, courses, thesis, achievements, certifications and grades
Professional development and training
Hobbies, interests, sports and a little about your personal approach to work. Keep in mind that Dutch recruiters often place higher value than most on extracurricular and leisure activities if they are related to skills required for the role e.g. team sports can show your ability to work well with others and pull together as a team
Personal info including your name, nationality, contact details and a link to your LinkedIn profile (if you have one)

Layout

When considering the layout of your CV, for most job roles you should start with your skills and then focus on your work experience, listing your jobs and experience working backwards chronologically. It’s a good idea to break up your descriptions into bullet points to make everything as clear and comprehensible as possible.

Function

For those coming from the US a CV is pretty much used for the same purposes as a resume and is simply the word used in Europe. However, it is worth mentioning that for academic and research-based roles a CV is used as a more comprehensive academic diary, rather than a resume which is more of a work experience summary. So, depending on the roles you are applying for, your CV may be required to be a very different type of document.

Have your CV checked

Before you begin sending out your completed CV to prospective employers it is always a good idea to get it checked over by someone you trust. This could be a recruiter who’s been helping you find work, a friend in a similar line of work or an old boss, family member or colleague. In addition, there are numerous online tools and spell checkers that can help a great deal.

Although CVs and resumes often fulfil the same purpose, if you don’t have a CV you will be required to adapt or rewrite your resume to give you the best chance of landing your dream job. Luckily, for those of you with a resume already, converting it into a CV is usually not too difficult and, as CVs can be longer, you should find it easier to write more details and elaborate on what makes you the best person for the job. Check out this article for more differences between a CV and a resume.

Learning With Head, Heart and Hands

The Hague has been home to a Dutch Waldorf school for over 90 years. Since 2018, it also boasts an international, English-language one, aimed at children of kindergarten and primary-school age.

Based on Steiner’s principles, the school offers children a balanced education, combining social, personal and cognitive development in equal measure. “We’re helping children become critical and engaged world citizens.”

The International Waldorf School was founded to make Waldorf-style education (also known as Steiner education) available to children who travel the world with their parents. “We saw a lot of children who don’t have Dutch as their mother tongue join the Vrije School, our Dutch-speaking counterpart,” attests school principal Niels Schieman. “And of course, The Hague welcomes a lot of temporary international visitors, so we recognised the need for an international school.”

Curiosity Is Key
The main aim of Waldorf schools is to create a warm and welcoming environment in class, explains Schieman. “We want children to look forward to going to school. We strongly believe they need intrinsic motivation for learning, not just extrinsic reasons like seeing their friends or being rewarded for getting good grades. So we create an atmosphere where curiosity and creativity are nurtured. And by discovering and appreciating each other’s differences, they learn to exist peacefully together.”

Rudolf Steiner, the Austrian philosopher upon whose thinking Waldorf schools are founded, observed that curiosity is the key to deeper learning – a century before neuroscientific discoveries confirmed his findings. This concept informs the way every part of the curriculum is taught at the school.

“Children have the natural ability to marvel at what they experience – we simply harness that capacity to make learning more effective and more fun. When children truly get involved with the curriculum rather than just memorising it, they gain the capacity to be creative with their knowledge and use it for problem-solving later in life.”

Letting Children Be Children
Another underlying principle of the school is that children have the right to be children. “We believe that young children should be allowed to stay in their protective fantasy bubble for a while. We don’t start introducing news or current affairs into the curriculum until quite late. The grown-up world can be very scary, we don’t want children to become frightened of it,” explains Schieman.

“Instead, we introduce the more difficult parts of life slowly and with a lot of context, so that children have a solid base of confidence in the world. We work with a lot of historical tales: these are often rich in imagery and morality. This principle is common to Waldorf schools around the world, and the stories are usually drawn from the local context or religion – but we see that the underlying morals and themes are the same, regardless of location or culture.”

Children have the natural ability to marvel at what they experience – we simply harness that capacity to make learning more effective and more fun

Language Support
Running an international school provides the additional challenge that children come from all sorts of backgrounds, and many do not speak English as their first language. “We offer lots of individual support to make sure every child can participate in class,” says Schieman. “We’re a small school, so there’s plenty of scope for a personal approach – another guiding principle in Steiner teaching.”

The school also makes sure the children get some exposure to the Dutch language. “It would be odd to completely isolate children from the context they currently live in, so we introduce them to Dutch through songs, poems and games. The main aim is not for them to become fluent or understand the grammar, but to give them a feeling for the differences between languages. We want them to experience language rather than learn it.”

Happy Parents
Schieman and his team want to make sure international parents in The Hague are aware of the existence of the International Waldorf School. “Many people don’t know we’re here, or perhaps they haven’t heard of Steiner education. But we’ve had tremendously positive feedback from parents so far, and some of them express sadness when they move away, because they see such positive development in their children.”

One parent, Jon Monastero, who is a performer in Cirque du Soleil, explained how happy he has been with the school. “We know that it is not easy to accept a student out of the blue, so to speak, and for such a short time, but everyone welcomed us with open arms and left such a warm and beautiful impression on our lives. It has been one of the most incredible experiences in our six years on tour.”

Our curriculum is of equal academic value to that of any other school. We have an added focus on helping children to become independent, confident and active global citizens

Compatibility
While the Waldorf curriculum takes a different approach to learning, it is perfectly compatible with other education systems, and children can progress seamlessly to the international secondary school in The Hague. “Our curriculum is of equal academic value to that of any other school. The difference is simply that we have an added focus on helping children to become independent, confident and active global citizens,” Schieman concludes.

Side Note
For more details about the school or Waldorf Schools worldwide, visit www.internationalwaldorfschool.nl.

The school has open days, but parents and children are welcome at any time for a tour.

The American Netherlander – 25 Years of Expat Tales

In 1994, author Greg Shapiro came to the Netherlands. The idea was to spend a while doing comedy for a start-up theater called Boom Chicago, but he stayed for love. That was the start of a cultural adventure, with incidents and elements that anyone who spends some time in the Netherlands is bound to recognize. Covering topics that range from places he lived in – and what each of these places taught him about the Dutch – to the social issues such as Zwarte Piet, Dutch meetings, trying to make sense in Dutch, and Bike Etiquette, The American Netherlander is just too much fun to put down.

Try to picture some the scenes he recreates, such as the births of his children and his introduction to the ‘mother cookie’ and ‘shame hair’, or having to answer his doctor’s questions regarding what he thinks is the matter and how to treat it. Not to mention convincing a service team – “When service and team appear in the same sentence, it usually means trouble” – to install a washing machine. Written with a wry sense of humor and an eye for detail and the ludicrous, he manages to paint a picture of a nation that is part cartoon, part realism. At each turn of the page, you find yourself both laughing about and appreciating the Dutch.

And then, once you have seen the Dutch through Greg Shapiro’s eyes, you are treated to that very special aspect of deciding to live in the country; the Dutch Assimilation Test – one that the Dutch themselves score notoriously badly on. “Every question tells a story,” Shapiro explains, proceeding to explain what characteristically Dutch assumptions lie at the basis of these questions and why they want you to give a particular answer. Under the title, “The Questions That Should Be on the Actual Quiz,” readers are treated to what Shapiro feels would be a more useful and certainly entertaining way of familiarizing yourself with Dutch culture – and traveling the road towards assimilation.

The American Netherlander is accompanied by entertaining cartoons by illustrator Floor de Goede and photographs by the author.

Available through bookshops, www.hollandbooks.

Price: €19.95
Paperback
224 pages
richly illustrated
16.5 x 22 cm
ISBN: 978 94 6319 226 2

The Netherlands is an absolute Cycling Paradise

With its flat countryside, stunning nature parks, green meadows, canalside paths, seaside vistas and cyclist-friendly villages and cities, it is no wonder that the Netherlands has more bicycles than inhabitants. Peter de Lange – a bicycle enthusiast who knows the bicycle routes through the country like the back of his hand – has created a book that not only explains how cycling became an intrinsic part of Dutch culture, but also makes it impossible for those who did not grow up on spokes and saddles to resist the urge to join the locals – from primary school children to prime ministers – on the more than 37,000 kilometers of bicycle paths that criss-cross the country.

In the Netherlands, bicycles are for everyone – tall people, small people, people with physical challenges, racing enthusiasts – and they are welcome everywhere; ranging from Veluwe National Park, where you can pick up a bicycle for free to roam its extensive woodlands and heaths; to fietscafés, where you can meet people who share your passion; to the foundation Vrienden op de Fiets, which offers a network of cheap and welcoming places throughout the country to spend the night, exclusively for cyclists and hikers.

Throughout the book you are treated to a feast of photographs showcasing the beloved wheels of the Dutch, while forty pages are dedicated to a selection of the most beautiful cycling routes in the Netherlands, ready and waiting for you to explore!

Published by XPat Media Publishers
Price: €17.50
Paperback with flaps
160 pages
richly illustrated with more than 200 photos
17 x 23 cm
ISBN: 978 94 6319 2279
Preview

To order this book please go to Hollandbooks.nl

Four Legal Differences You Need to Consider When Relocating to the Netherlands

Relocating to any country is a big step. Aside from all the cultural differences and language barriers the way the legal system and paperwork work are often different depending on the country. In this article, we will discuss the most important legal changes you will need to know about if you are planning to move to The Netherlands.

Health Insurance

Unlike many other countries, like the USA, every resident of The Netherlands is required by law to have at least the standard bare minimum of health insurance. This can seem like a chore or unnecessary expense but people in The Netherlands respect this law and largely believe the government has their best interests at heart. Just keep in mind that at some point you are likely to require medical attention. So, how does it work? Well even for the cheapest health insurance you will need to pay a nominal premium. Depending on the insurance company it will cost approximately € 1,200 – € 1,450 per year. Also you will make an income-dependent contribution for The ZVW (Health Insurance Act), but this will usually be supplemented by your employer.

Visas and Work Permits

The Netherlands has an approach to visas and work permits that might work in your favour. Residents of some countries are allowed to enter and work in The Netherlands without the need for either. These include: EU/EEA and Swiss nationals who don’t need anything other than their own national ID’s to work anywhere in the Netherlands and for those from Australia and Canada, only work permits are required. If you do need a visa as a working expat, they are inexpensive, usually costing around €300.

Laws Around Drugs

Despite what you may have heard, drugs are not legal in The Netherlands. In fact, all the drugs that are illegal in your country are also likely to be illegal to produce, possess, sell, import and export in the Netherlands. The only small difference is that smoking cannabis is tolerated, but only under strict terms and conditions. Of course, this does not mean that most of the population of the country smoke weed a lot or even at all. It is just worth considering to avoid unwanted surprises.

Laws Around Cycling

Cycling is extremely popular in The Netherlands with cities designed with bikes in mind. It may, therefore, come as a surprise to know that the only safety precautions you need to invest in before hitting the roads on your bike are a bell and lights, rightly or wrongly it is not a legal requirement to wear a helmet. The laws on the road are also different to most countries in The Netherlands as cyclists are granted the right of way. So please avoid walking on cycle paths and keep a close eye out for cyclists when driving.

Liberal Laws Around Prostitution

One of the more liberal laws in The Netherlands is the approach the country takes to prostitution. The laws were relaxed to help the sex workers and their clients keep as safe as possible. This means that prostitution is only legal between two consenting adults who are of age. The government is also planning to increase the legal age for sex workers to over 21. Of course, just like drugs, this does not mean prostitution is a common part of most people’s lives in The Netherlands.

From the cheapest health insurance to its more liberal laws, The Netherlands has a beautiful culture and society that is definitely worth experiencing. This article does not cover everything you need to know before you move, so make sure you do your research thoroughly to ensure you are fully prepared to make the most of this amazing country.

Taking Online Courses in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a good destination for people looking for better job opportunities. An academic certificate from a Dutch-based institution can boost your CV. While attending a physical classroom is a good experience, it might not work if you need to balance work and school. Thanks to modern education technology, you can opt for an online course.

Advantages of Online Courses

Like the rest of the world, the Dutch education system has always favoured the brick-and-mortar setup. However, with the growth of the internet, online classes are gradually becoming a norm. A study by the Babson Survey Research Group found that about 33 per cent of college students take at least one course online. The research also showed that these classes are as effective, and sometimes even more efficient, than the traditional in-person classroom courses.

Some of the advantages of an online course are:

Your job will not suffer because of school work as you can schedule your study times during your free time.
You can study in a college or university in any part of the country from the comfort of your home.
You determine the pace of your study so it is possible to take a shorter time to complete than when attending physical classes.

Top Online Courses to Consider

Even though there are many online courses, some are more beneficial to expats than others. They include:

Course in the Dutch language: If you are moving to the Netherlands but cannot speak Dutch, then you should start here. It will not only help you on the streets or in the coffee shop but also boost your career as you will more easily communicate with colleagues and be able to express your ideas.
Courses in your current career: Opting for a course that will help you up the corporate ladder will be more beneficial than learning just for the sake of it. Studies show that 68 per cent of online students are experienced professionals.

How to Choose an Online College

Some of the key factors to consider when choosing a college are:

Language: If you need to study in the Netherlands, you will find about 2,100 courses offered in English.
Accreditation: Employers in the Netherlands only consider certificates from accredited learning institutions.
Flexibility: Part-time learning is the best arrangement if you must attend a live classroom at specific times of the day.
Fees: Some colleges offer financial aid to expats taking online courses, but you should still make sure tuition fees are within your budget.

Conclusion

Thanks to the internet, you can earn a degree without attending a traditional classroom. Use online courses to improve your employability in the competitive Dutch job market. It will be helpful to research extensively to determine the course that will be most beneficial to your stay in the Netherlands.

An Introduction to the Top 3 Modes of Transport in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a well-run, innovative and modern place to live while still maintaining lots of interesting, historical buildings. So, it should come as no surprise that transport across the country is easy, affordable and impressively organised. This article will look at everything from ease-of-use laws to helpful tips on finding the cheapest car insurance and where to buy your metro tickets.

Bicycles and Cycling

Cycling is the most popular mode of transport here. Not only do 36% of residents say they most frequently travel by bike, but an overall 27% of all nationwide trips are made by bike. This is somewhat unsurprising when you see how the cities, roads and laws are designed to aid and encourage cyclists. Unlike most places, in The Netherlands, cyclists are given right of way. In addition, two cyclists can ride side by side, so long as they are not holding up traffic, and in some cases, cyclists can turn right at a red traffic light.

Cars and Driving

In The Netherlands, cars drive on the right side of the road and the minimum age for driving a car is 18 years old; for a moped, it’s 16. In addition, you must only drive with a hands-free kit as is the law in most of Europe.

All vehicle owners are required to take out third party car insurance. Called WA (Wettelijke Aansprakelijkheid) in Dutch, this insurance covers damages to people, cars and property should you be involved in an accident. It is worth shopping around to find the cheapest car insurance.

Trains and Metros

Overall The Netherlands is a country that is well-served by trains and metros. Perhaps due to its flat terrain, the cities are well-connected by the Dutch National railway system. The trains themselves are very comfortable with first and second class carriages, and single and double-decker trains. You can purchase a Holland Travel Ticket or Amsterdam Region Ticket online in advance.

There are three metro systems in The Netherlands based in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. Each of them is modern, smoothly run with minimum delays and easily affordable. You can pick up your metro travel tickets from tobacco shops, GVB trams, buses and metro lines in any of the cities in which they operate. Those in Amsterdam cover metros, trains and busses.

The Netherlands is a great place to live and getting around is simple. Even if you don’t speak the language, it’s easy to figure it out and stations are well-staffed with people who can help you. However, it is always worth preparing yourself before you arrive and if you want to fully immerse yourself in the Dutch culture, getting a bicycle is obviously the best option.

Green Energy in The Netherlands

The Netherlands has been a long-standing supporter of green environmental initiatives and is ahead of many countries. Aside from the obvious environmental benefits the nation’s passion for cycling provides, there are a number of different elements that contribute to its low carbon footprint. In this article, we will investigate some of the key environmental initiatives that make this nation so eco-friendly.

Renewable Energy

Since 2018, The Netherlands has been focussed on switching energy sources and now produces over 7% of its energy from renewable sources. Although there is still quite some way to go, The Netherlands is doing very well in terms of renewable energy used in households. In 2009, it was found to have 41% of all household energy coming from renewable sources.

Unsurprisingly from a nation that is famous for its windmills, Holland is a pioneer of the development of wind energy. Currently, the nation’s power grid has plans to build the biggest wind farm in the world on a man-made island off the coast of The Netherlands. It’s land-based wind farms have powered the tech giant Microsoft in the past and already power many of Dutch homes.

The Netherlands is also a trailblazer in terms of solar energy, expanding its solar market by 60% in 2017 alone. Now, well over half a million homes run on solar energy and its popularity is still surging. A new project started by Oceans of Energy and Utrecht University will focus on converting seaweed farms into floating solar energy farms through innovative new technology and processes.

Transport and Travel

The Netherland’s flat terrain makes it perfect for cyclists and has made cycling the most popular mode of transport for many. However, it is not just the natural landscape that makes it so perfect for riding. The cities are designed with cyclists in mind and so are the laws. For example, cyclists in The Netherlands have right of way and are allowed to ride without a helmet. Additionally, Holland has made a commitment to provide 100% emissions-free busses over the next five years and they have plans to remove all gas and diesel vehicles by the year 2030.

Greenhouse Gasses

In 2010, the Dutch government agreed to cut emissions of harmful greenhouse gasses. Currently, the aim is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by the end of 2020 in comparison to its emissions in 1990. That is a full 5% more than the target all nations in the EU agreed to.

From switching energy sources to transportation, you can see The Netherlands is amidst an exciting push to become a greener, more eco-friendly nation. Plus, with the surging prices of fossil fuels, homeowners in The Netherlands are sure to have the opportunity to save money while also doing their bit to help the environment.

Unraveling the Mysteries of Culture

Professor Geert Hofstede, one of the Netherlands’ most widely cited and translated scholars, passed away in February 2020, at the age of 91. Hofstede is known for his pioneering research on cross-cultural groups and organizations and has been a great source of inspiration to those who have tried to unravel the mysteries of culture. At the heart of Professor Hofstede’s work is the question: what are the mutual role expectations between the archetypical role pair of teacher and students in different cultures? The way these roles are played is guided by deeply-rooted values which lead to feelings about good and evil, right and wrong, rational and irrational, proper and improper. These feelings burden cross-cultural learning with premature judgments that can come from teachers, students and parents.

Social Dilemmas

Through his research, Geert Hofstede extracted four fundamental social dilemmas: the relationship to power (hierarchical or egalitarian), the relationship to the group (collectivistic or individualistic), the relationship to motivation and, finally, the relationship to uncertainty, culminating in his four cultural dimensions: the Hofstede Model. These dimensions have helped many people better understand the perplexities of cross-cultural education, most of which I have experienced and witnessed myself as an expat child, expat parent and intercultural trainer.

Educational Track

Consider the power dilemma and the different social positions teachers have in different cultures. In cultures that are more sensitive to hierarchy, as I witnessed as a child in Colombia, students from privileged families will often have access to a privileged educational track – private schools, private tutors and a wealth of learning resources – but not so in more egalitarian cultures. In the Netherlands, a teacher is nothing more or less than anybody else. The same applies to the students – one is not better than the other. The Dutch school system is anti-elitist and there are relatively few private schools in the country. Kids attending a private school are often seen as rich kids who do not have the intellectual capacity to successfully complete ‘normal’ schools. This egalitarian approach often baffles parents from cultures in which different school systems cater to the different needs of the various social groups in society.

More egalitarian and individualistic cultures have developed a more conceptual learning style, requiring students to apply their knowledge in different situations

Teaching Style

Adding the dimension of individualism to the equation, the differences become even larger. Contemplate the way knowledge is managed. In the Chinese Confucian tradition, the ‘teacher’ is the most respected profession. The Chinese and many other hierarchical and collectivistic cultures have developed a reverence for the tutor, the guru. These societies are more likely to have established a rote learning pattern, which, simply put, is the storage of the data in the brain, without necessarily understanding the concept. The teaching style is one-directional, and students become good at copy-pasting. It often involves a focus on the creation of tacit knowledge, knowing what to do or say rather than why.

Other, more egalitarian and individualistic cultures have developed a more conceptual learning style, requiring students to apply their knowledge in different situations. There is more focus on explicit knowledge – knowing how. Having switched from these different styles myself, from rote learning in Latin America to conceptual learning after returning to the Netherlands, I remember having been frustrated with the apparent disorder in my new Dutch classroom. I saw little respect for the teachers and could hardly develop respect myself for these teachers, who let us, children, find our own ways – creating what seemed to me a mess.

Curriculum

Hofstede has also described how societies have different inclinations to avoid uncertainty – this is demonstrated in how one society will focus on the relevance of the curriculum, while another will find a more flexible learning path acceptable. In the former, especially if these are more hierarchical and centralized, it is normal for the curriculum to be dictated ‘from above’. Methodology and content are closely monitored by the government. A teacher is expected to be the expert and have all the answers; deference and obedience are virtues. In other – individualistic and decentralized – cultures, such as the Netherlands, schools and their faculty have more freedom to develop their own curriculum and learning method. The learning outcomes are measured against a standard set by the Ministry of Education. Also, teachers in these cultures welcome and stimulate intellectual challenge by students. Critical thinking is seen as a skill that is important to develop and a great asset later in life, in the workplace.

A six, on a scale of ten, is a good enough score to pass their courses and gives the children spare time to enjoy other aspects of life

Sixes

We have discussed how the differences in hierarchy, individualism and uncertainty affect cross- cultural education. The final difference in the Hofstede framework is in what motivates students. The Netherlands, often to the astonishment of expat parents, has what we call the zesjes culture: the culture of the sixes. A six, on a scale of ten, is a good enough score to pass their courses and gives the children spare time to enjoy other aspects of life. I attended university in the United States with a group of 18 Dutch students. Rather than trying to be the best in the class, we helped each other achieve our goal to earn our master’s degree, all the while allowing us to enjoy the pleasures of local Arizona life which included rafting, hiking, skiing and hot tubbing – pleasures we did not have back home. Later in life and back in the United States, my wife and I were put off by the high level of competition our son was subjected to in elementary school.

We cannot expect local schools to adapt their style and methods to the needs of all their expat students. We can expect tutors, adolescent students and parents, however, to develop an awareness of the different roles and learning expectations that exist in cross-cultural education. “Thank you for helping me take off my cultural glasses,” said one expat parent after one of my workshops. “I am more confident now that my 11-year-old daughter will get the education we want her to have. And, I guess, she’d better become a more outspoken and a critical thinker in order to defend herself here in the Netherlands.” I was not sure her wink was one of relief or mockery.

Geert Hofstede has provided us with a unique and valuable systematic framework for assessing and differentiating national cultures and organizational cultures, even in education. We will honor Hofstede’s legacy by accepting his guidance and helping each other to recognize, understand, accept and reconciliate cultural differences. It will help us remove our prejudices and see that we have more in common than not.

Jan Vincent Meertens is author, consultant and coach specializing in cross-cultural interaction. He is chairman of the Connect2Us Foundation and Associate Partner of Hofstede- Insights.

Why Do the Dutch Speak English So Well?

The Dutch are internationally known for the fact that their English is of a very high standard.

Why is that?

Well, there are a couple of reasons.

Technical – Proximity

On a technical level, the Dutch language has its roots in the Indo-European languages (like German and English itself). For that reason, grammar structures (and often words) are very comparable in the two languages (e.g. “geef mij dat” becomes “give me that”). Compare this to Latin languages (Spanish, Italian, and French), that have a totally different structure (and grammar structures like the ’subjunctive’ that doesn’t exist in Dutch and English) – and you can appreciate the difference.

Another reason for the high level of English spoken by the Dutch is that we’ve always been a sea-going nation; trade has been at the center of Dutch society for hundreds of years. This entrepreneurial and global mindset has led to a lot of international business where you need a good level of English to be able to do your trade. In addition to this, many international companies have set up (European) headquarters in the Netherlands. Think of Ikea, Unilever, Starbucks, and more recently after Brexit, the European Medical Agency.

Subtitles & James Bond

According to the English Proficiency Index, the Dutch rank number 1, while the Germans rank number 10. Why is it then, if German and Dutch stem from the same mother-language and are quite comparable to each other, that the German level of English is so much worse (or lower) than that of the Dutch?

Here’s the complete top 10:

Netherlands
Sweden
Norway
Denmark
Singapore
South Africa
Finland
Austria
Luxembourg
Germany

Belgium ranks 13 (this could be due to the fact that in the south of Belgium people speak French), France, 31.

Typically, in the countries surrounding the Netherlands (with the exception of Flanders, Belgium), English/American TV shows and movies are audio-dubbed, and not subtitled as they are in the Netherlands. Hence, the degree of exposure to the English language is simply a lot lower.

Cultural – Predictability

The cultural component playing a role here is that the countries surrounding the Netherlands all score significantly higher on a cultural dimension called Predictability. This means that these countries are less entrepreneurial – they prefer to stick to the language they already know/speak –and are therefore more likely to audio-dub (so that James Bond speaks the local language).

I Always Get My Sin

The title of the book I Always Get My Sin, by Maarten H. Rijkens, illustrates clearly that the level of English isn’t the same for everyone. There are plenty of Dutch people who simply take Dutch words and Engli-fy them, leading to very weird sentences and expressions. Below is a short list of how this will or can look.

“My compliments to your cock for the lovely diner.”
“Where can I buy an uploader for my telephone?”
“We would like to go on step.”
“Where can I strike my shirts?”
“Is this fish or flesh?”
“We would like to rent a topless car.”
“At what time can we go on table?”
“Where can we put our mail on the bus?”
“Can you give me a tip?”
“The wine is up.”

Not that this generates any embarrassment for the Dutch, though – as the other side will probably not know how to begin to correct them.

Pronunciation

And finally, there is the almost famous way the Dutch pronounce English. (Though, to be fair, every non-native English-speaker has their distinct way of pronouncing things. Think about the Germans and the French…) Among the Dutch there is a wide spectrum of pronunciation, ranging from – on the one side – the Vice-President of the European Council, Frans Timmermans (close to perfect English with a close to perfect accent) and – on the other side – famous football trainer, Louis van Gaal. Louis van Gaal has mastered the skill of speaking so-called “charcoal-English” (steenkolen-Engels), whereby no effort is made to pronounce the words in a way that comes even remotely close to how the British or the Americans pronounce them.

To Summarize

For many of the Dutch people – close to 93% of the population – English is not seen as a foreign language anymore. It is seen more as a second language in this country. Therefore, don’t be surprised if, when you order your Big Mac at McDonalds or check in at a hotel, you will have to do this in English – simply because the other person doesn’t even speak Dutch.

Want to better understand the Dutch and learn how to work with them? Get in touch with Chris Smit at culturematters.com or send an email to chris.smit@culturematters.com.