For several months now, we - Klaudia, Kamil and I (Agnieszka) - have been taking Dutch lessons together in the office at Twente Personeelsdiensten. The lessons are taught by Kasia Buras, a Polish teacher who has lived in the Netherlands for over 20 years. She successfully runs her language and translation agency POL-NED.
Kasia is not only experienced and professional, but aligns her lessons perfectly with our daily practice - both private and on the job. Every Wednesday, we learn in the office, which makes the learning process approachable and practical. We practise grammar, read texts to improve our reading skills and learn how to write letters and e-mails in Dutch. Occasionally, we take a test - that keeps it exciting!
We are always allowed to indicate what we are struggling with, and Kasia then provides adapted exercises or extra explanations. Thanks to this personalised approach, we make rapid progress.
Klaudia's experience:
I have lived in the Netherlands for more than 9 years, but for a long time spoke mostly English. A few years ago, I took some language courses, but without daily use, my Dutch remained uncertain.
That changed when I started working at Twente Personeelsdiensten. Here I speak Dutch with colleagues every day. Since a few months, I have also been taking Dutch lessons in the office, together with Kamil and Agnieszka.
The lessons are clear, practical and tailored to our needs. We learn Dutch that we really use - at work and in everyday life.
The language remains difficult at times, especially in terms of pronunciation and structure compared to Polish. But I have learned that the most important thing is: just start. The Dutch appreciate our commitment and courage. The more often you speak, the more natural it feels. And that gives a lot of satisfaction!
Kamil's experience:
For some time now, I have been taking the Dutch course at the office. For me, this is a valuable opportunity to improve my language skills and communicate better with colleagues and clients.
Dutch is sometimes difficult - especially the pronunciation - but is becoming more and more understandable. I notice progress and at the same time learn more about Dutch culture. This increases my self-confidence, both privately and professionally.
Much of this success is due to our teacher Kasia. She explains complex topics clearly and provides a pleasant learning environment with quick results.
Agnieszka's experience:
At my previous job, I spoke mostly English. In 2023, I decided: I no longer want to ask "Excuse me, do you also speak English?" - I want to be able to speak in Dutch myself!
I started with an app (Duolingo), but soon I wanted to move on. At Twente, I got that chance. I listened to podcasts, watched videos and took a course. And it worked!
For me, pronunciation and spelling are the biggest challenges. But thanks to the positive feedback from Dutch people, I stay motivated.
This course means more than language lessons. It is an investment in integration, self-confidence and cooperation. We find that our communication in the workplace improves - and that it is fun to learn a language together.
A big thank you to Kasia and our colleagues who support and encourage us!
Curious about more of our blogs?
Twente Personeelsdiensten: History of temporary agency work and labour migration | Twente Personeelsdiensten Wierden
