Conversation Buddies: Beautiful matches and cultural differences

Maud Hedeman and Dick van Beuningen are both enthusiastic volunteers at Gilde Amsterdam, located at the beautiful courtyard on Keizersgracht. They are two of the impressive 750 volunteers within this organization. They are involved in the SamenSpraak project, aimed at helping non-native speakers improve their Dutch speaking skills.Maud has been active here as a volunteer for 25 years, currently as a team member. She matches non-native speakers with volunteers and always aims for a good match. “I always conduct an introductory interview. They could be refugees looking to improve their language skills, foreign students, or expats. Parents born in other countries who want to better assist their children with schoolwork also turn to SamenSpraak. I find it important to make people feel at ease and create a basis of trust. And of course, volunteers also have their own preferences.”

“Talking about things you like greatly helps with learning”

Dick van Beuningen is one of those volunteers, he has been active as a language coach at SamenSpraak for 10 years. During that time, he has had many dozens of matches with non-native speakers. Each contact lasts in principle for a year, but sometimes shorter. The conversations almost always take place in Dutch, which is the best way to get to know the language better. “I always ask what their hobbies are. Talking about something you enjoy greatly helps with learning. I myself am interested in art and culture. So I always hope for a match in that area. Then we often go to a museum together. That is fun.”Maud:“That’s the best part, when there is a real connection between both! Occasionally, it doesn’t work out, and both parties can indicate that. Fortunately, the match usually works out very well in practice. It’s also beautiful when non-native speakers, for example, find a job through a good CV. Friendship often arises from SamenSpraak.”

Tips and amazement

Dick“I have guided non-native speakers from as many as 25 different cultures; people from China, Russia, but also from Europe. I find all these cultural differences with the Netherlands fantastic. I always bring many newspapers and sometimes give tips, for example, on being punctual if people want to prepare for a job interview. People from Asia can sometimes be very surprised by concepts such as freedom and equality in the Netherlands.”

What does it yield?

When asked what volunteering brings them personally, Maud laughs: “You could stay at home cleaning, but I really enjoy this work. I like to be productive and stay up to date. Dick believes that you can contribute a little to SamenSpraak in the world yourself. “I find that important. And I just find all those different contacts very interesting.”

Are you also interested in volunteering?

>> Check out the available volunteer tasks atSamenSpraak or at another project of Gilde Amsterdam.>> You can find all volunteer tasks in Amsterdam here. There are more than a thousand of them. For everyone’s talent and schedule.Search online or make an appointment with one of our mediators.Text: Thecla Groot Koerkamp
Photo: Jackie Mulder