What is it like to be a language buddy?

Language is more than just words. It is a tool that can create connections, understanding, and clarity. When you arrive in a country where you don’t speak the language, it can be difficult to find your way in a new environment. Alaa came to the Netherlands from Syria six years ago. He learned the language, but connecting with other Dutch people remained challenging. Through Coloured Circle, he got in touch with his language coach Erwin. “We make a lot of jokes, this connection is truly enriching.”“Taalcoaching is really helping me,” says Alaa. He had already spent many hours in Dutch lessons and his level was quite good, but he still found it difficult to have conversations with Dutch people. That’s why he started looking for a language coach and got in touch with Coloured Circle in Amsterdam. Four months ago, he was matched with Erwin, founder of KEK! beer, who wanted to do something good and useful with his free time. “I searched online for something that would suit me. I came across the language buddies project and immediately thought: I’m going to do this. I believe that people in Amsterdam should delve more into the integration of others. It’s nice to know who you are living with in society. And with a little time, you can really help someone progress.”

A pan, a spatula, and jokes

Alaa and Erwin meet once a week. Instead of grabbing a pen and paper, they prefer a pan and a spatula. “We often cook together. Enjoying good food and drinking beers or wines,” they laugh. “We also play a lot of games,” Erwin continues. “That game with the blocks that you have to throw, it’s called ‘kubbs’.” They meet at one of their homes or, when the sun is shining, somewhere outside. Like last time, they went boating on the Amstel with Erwin’s boat. “So we don’t sit with a notebook and read from a book,” says Erwin. “It’s not like being in a classroom. We mainly have a lot of fun conversations together. Alaa talks a lot about his family and culture,” Alaa nods in agreement. “We talk about love, about friends, about everything really, like with a friend. And we make a lot of jokes. I also watched the European Championship with Erwin and his friends when the Netherlands played. I really enjoyed that because I could speak Dutch with many other people. I met a lot of nice new people, which I find important.”

A highlight

Three months ago, Alaa received his Dutch passport. They celebrated this day with self-brewed beers and a table full of food. “This was a highlight,” says Alaa with a big smile on his face. Erwin nods and continues: “He now has a perspective for the future.” Alaa has just started a hospitality training at the ROC, a work/learning program. Erwin made many calls in his network to find a job for Alaa as a cook. With a positive result: he can start working in a restaurant alongside his studies. “I would like to cook dishes from the Middle East. I still have a lot to learn. I am not a professional yet, but I really love cooking.”

More self-confidence

For Alaa, a language buddy is an ideal way to improve his Dutch speaking skills and discover the culture. “At school, I learn grammar, but there is not enough time to talk. And in Amsterdam, it’s difficult to speak Dutch. As soon as people hear my accent, almost everyone automatically switches to English. It’s very easy to respond in English, but that way I don’t make progress. With Erwin, I can always speak Dutch, and if I make a mistake, he can correct me right away.” Alaa now speaks the language quite well, but sometimes he needs time to remember words. “I first have to translate the word in my head and then pronounce it. Thanks to Erwin, I have gained much more confidence to speak. I am very happy with him.”

An enrichment

Erwin: “I also learn a lot from Alaa. For example, I discover new things about the Dutch language. Usually, I don’t think about why things are the way they are. I notice that I have become much more aware of the language that I have been speaking for almost thirty-one years.” It takes Erwin some time to be a language coach, but he gets a lot of energy back from it. “It’s really fun. People may think that a lot is expected of you, but you can make it as difficult as you want. I see it as an enrichment.”

The language buddies stand up and challenge each other to a game of ‘kubb’. As the men already indicated: language is more than just words.

Is this something for you?

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Text: Rianne Horning
Photo:Huub Zeeman, VCA Media