how come the dutch are learning like 5 languages?

Question

I have a friend in the netherlands and she's required to take atleast 4 languages other than dutch...
@ my school you can choose one elective language, either french, spanish or latin...

Answer 1

I don't think it's the average thing that your friend is required to take at least 4 languages (unless if she's a Frysian or an immigrant). It must have been sort of her own choice in the educational package.

But it's true that we are all required to learn at least three languages, including Dutch. English is obligatory, and all schools teach German and French too. Some offer Spanish, Russian or Chinese as number 4.

Why? Because we would not get around much if we would only speak Dutch. Our country has always been internationally orientated, it's a culture of overseas traders.

In fact, I believe that all countries in this world should make one or two extra languages obligatory.

I speak 6 languages myself, of which four come fluently like a second nature.

Answer 2

In many civilized countries the assumption is that ANY educated person can speak several languages - minimum 2. I work with an Irish lad who speaks English, Gaelic, French & German. Our other colleague is from Belgium where he, like a great number of his countrymen speak two languages - French & Dutch (well .. sort of Dutch) - and his English is better than most native English-speakers. Becoming a polyglot is not limited to the upper crusts of a society. It's a question of foresighted policy.

Answer 3

I'm guessing because hardly any foreigners learn Dutch?
I actually met a fair number of Dutch people in France this summer; most of them didn't seem to speak much French but they all spoke excellent English. Or maybe I just didn't identify the ones who spoke French as Dutch.

Answer 4

Just remember for a small country of 15 million people they need to know more languages than Dutch. Not many people speak that outside the Netherlands so for them to travel or to make you understand them they must learnt other languages.

Answer 5

I admire this approach. I think the earlier that we begin teaching our kids other languages and other cultures, the better citizens of the world they will be.

My daughter and I were just having a related conversation. She is wanting to purchase the Children's Video language course "Muzzy in Gandoland" (Spanish version) for her son (he is 19 months old). I whole-heartedly support her decision to expose her son to multiple languages and cultures from a young age. I think it should be an integral part of our education system also, of course there is the logistical issue of finding enough teachers to do the job well.

Answer 6

The Dutch, because of their strategic position on the coast of the North Sea and their good ports, have a long tradition of sea-going trade. They have had to acquire a great deal of linguistic flexibility because of that trading tradition. The modern requirements for multi-lingualism are merely the current way that they reflect that long-standing interest in foreign trade and commercialism.

Answer 7

Because the Dutch want to take over the world.

Answer 8

because the dutch want its student can anything languages.

Answer 9

when u learn a language , u learn its culture automatically