Somethingpolyglot

The year is almost over—a perfect moment to take a look back. This is for everyone who, just like myself and my students, learned one or more languages in 2024:

Getting Ready for 2025 | Prêts pour 2025 | Klaar voor 2025 | Pronti per il 2025 – something polyglot blog Sin categoría Getting Ready for 2025 | Prêts pour 2025 | Klaar voor 2025 | Pronti per il 2025Hallo, bonjour, hello, ciao! The year is almost over—a perfect moment to take a look back. This is for everyone who, just like myself and my students, learned one or more languages in 2024. You may not a...

: I have been studying Catalan for over 4 years now. This is what I can say now. I studied the language for about a year almost every day. Since then I have been having weekly language exchanges to slowly improve my level.

#polyglotcheck: what can I say after 4 years of Catalan? I have been studying Catalan for over 4 years now. This is what I can say now. I studied the language for about a year almost every then. Since then I have b...

One day, I’ll write a book about how I became fluent in Greek in 25 years. But who’s going to buy it? 😆 I’ve just reached B1 level after 4 years. Learning a new language is a marathon, full of ups and downs, and it often gets harder before it gets easier.

Someone new to language learning (or not into it yet) might wonder what’s wrong if, after 1 week (I saw a video titled "How I Learned Italian in One Week"), 1 month, or even 1 year, they aren’t fluent yet. As a teacher and coach, I feel it’s my extra responsibility to debunk this myth.

In my experience, the only thing that truly works is trial and error. Every language is different, every learner is different, and every situation is different. Check out what others have done, explore the tools available, and experiment to find what works for you.

And most importantly, be patient. Ask others—your teacher, a colleague, a neighbor, a partner, or a friend—if they notice your progress. Don’t give up. It’s all about persistence and consistency.

something polyglot – Languages and language learning – Improve your Dutch/Flemish, Italian, French and English skills 🇧🇪/🇳🇱 🇫🇷 🇬🇧 🇮🇹 🇩🇪 🇧🇷 🇪🇸 🇦🇩 🇩🇰 🇿🇦 🇬🇷 🇯🇵 🇸🇪 🇵🇱

Languages are part of our identity. For many people, they form a huge part of who they are. You can clearly see this in places like Catalunya, Galiza, or Euskal Herria. When we speak the language we call our mother tongue, we feel at home; we feel safe. We master its nuances and understand every aspect: culture, history, even gastronomy—they are all deeply intertwined.

I experience this every day as an immigrant in Madrid, even after more than eight years in this city. I know I will never be able to express myself as easily as I can in my mother tongue, the Dutch as it is spoken in Belgium. My life and relationships would be so much easier if I could communicate with my neighbours, my doctor, the cashier at Mercadona, and—most importantly—my partner, in my native language, Nederlands.

My ex-husband was Italian, and my current partner is Venezuelan . Even though I speak Italian at a near-native level and Spanish at a very high level, the misunderstandings we’ve had because we don’t share a mother tongue are countless. These language barriers, combined with cultural differences, bring challenges—but they also make an international relationship interesting.

I know I’ll never fully understand my partner unless I reach what I call a “C2+ level.” That means not just achieving near-perfect mastery of the language but also gaining a deep understanding of everything connected to it: history, culture, gastronomy, entertainment... But there is actually more: I need to reach a “C2+ level” in Alfredian Venezuelan Spanish. That’s the unique Spanish of someone who grew up in Caracas, spent time in the U.S., now lives in Madrid, and teaches Spanish and English. It’s a lifelong challenge, and while I enjoy it every single day, it doesn’t take away the moments of frustration. Language learning and frustration are two sides of the same coin.

That’s why language learning for me is a never-ending adventure. It’s why I’ll never stop improving my (Alfredian Venezuelan) Spanish. Learning the language of your partner, colleague, friend, in-laws, or neighbours allows you to connect with them on a deeper level, fostering trust and understanding in ways that go beyond words.

This is something I see every day in my students who are learning Dutch with me. Many are driven by personal connections—whether they have a partner who speaks the language, want to communicate better with family, or are integrating into life in Belgium or the Netherlands. Watching them take on the challenge of learning a new language for the people they care about is truly inspiring, even when frustration is part of the journey. Language isn’t just a tool; it’s a bridge to meaningful relationships and shared experiences.

something polyglot – Languages and language learning – Improve your Dutch/Flemish, Italian, French and English skills 🇧🇪/🇳🇱 🇫🇷 🇬🇧 🇮🇹 🇩🇪 🇧🇷 🇪🇸 🇦🇩 🇩🇰 🇿🇦 🇬🇷 🇯🇵 🇸🇪 🇵🇱