Reflections of Dutch Headteacher Fleur
Since 2011, she’s been working at TaalTaal in Scheveningen, and from the very first day, she knew: this wasn’t your average language school. It was the coziest, most welcoming place she’d ever taught Dutch before. Fleur: "If there is ever a place that you really want to 'go Dutch', this is the place, haha. The vibe was so informal and personal, filled with unique and colorful personalities. A real gekkenhuis (mental institution) — but in the best possible way!"
Over the years, Fleur had countless adventures at TaalTaal. Students bringing homemade 'TaalTaart', Spanish cultural evenings, unique language workshops, and many memorable “reality soap” moments that turned into stories she’ll be telling for years. She made friends for life — and in 2022, she even met her fiancé. Fleur: "Yes, really. Isn't it classic? He was a student, she was the teacher. Without kidding, we were both adults, it clicked... and now we are getting married in October!"
What Fleur loves most about teaching? "The people, the humor, the spark when a student suddenly gets something. I love inspiring others to discover not just the Dutch language, but Dutch culture too. No two lessons are ever the same. Some days it feels like teaching, other days it’s part stand-up comedy, part grammar therapy. If I had to pick a TV genre to describe it, it would 100% be a soap opera: Goede Talen Slechte Talen — full of laughter, mix-ups, heartfelt moments, and a few scenes that will definitely make it into my future grandma stories."
Here’s a little secret for all the Local Expat newspaper readers: since 2017, Fleur has also been writing almost all the articles for TaalTaal in The Local Expat. Yep, that anonymous writer talking about Dutch quirks and cultural surprises? That was her. One day, she’d love to write a book — maybe about her adventures as a Dutch teacher, or a fun, playful book about language, in the spirit of Paulien Cornelisse’s book 'Taal is zeg maar echt mijn ding' ('Language is, like, totally my thing').
Well, language might really be her thing, but TaalTaal? TaalTaal is her home. Her chosen family. It was love at first lesson, in every way possible.
Are you looking for language and maybe even love? Take a chance on TaalTaal! Visit the website for the spring courses that started in April: www.taaltaal.nl/en or sign up for a free online intake: www.taaltaal.nl/en/intake -- follow TaalTaal, follow the love!