We’ve all been there. You start with something and you think you are just faking it, until someone intervenes and tells you that you are bad at it. When learning a language, you are out of your comfort zone. Therefore, many people experience Imposter Syndrome while learning Dutch. Let’s get rid of it once and for all.
Imposter syndrome is a term coined by psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes in 1983. It refers to the feeling of being inadequate, incompetent, or unworthy despite accomplishments and success. It is often experienced by people who have achieved high levels of education and professional status.
Some common thoughts and behaviours associated with Imposter Syndrome are:
These thoughts can lead to behaviours such as:
Be open about your struggles
It’s okay to admit that you feel like an impostor. You don’t need to pretend that you’re not struggling. If you struggle with impostor syndrome, then you should talk about it. Talking about your feelings helps you understand them better and makes you less likely to feel ashamed.
Don’t compare yourself to others
Don’t compare yourself to others. Instead, focus on what you’ve accomplished and how much you’ve grown since you started studying.
Take pride in your progress
Dutch for beginners can be hard. But take pride in your progress. When you do something well, take note of it. Write down your successes.
Practice self-care
Self-care is taking care of yourself physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and socially. Self-care is important while learning Dutch, because it can sometimes be hard for your ego to make the unavoidable mistakes.
Ask for help
If you need help, ask for it. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help. A Dutch conversation example can be that you ask a person to repeat the sentence, because you don’t understand it:
‘Ik begrijp je niet. Kun je het herhalen?’
Seek out opportunities to learn
Seek out opportunities to learn. You can find out how to learn Dutch by yourself. Or you can find classes, workshops, and online courses that interest you. This can be via an app like Duolingo or via a local language school. A way to learn Dutch in a fun and personal way and without having to physically travel, is signing up for HoiHoi Language School.
Our priority is to listen to everyone in class so you feel comfortable to speak up
Our personal approach will enable you to confidently make mistakes
With engaging group practices you will be leaving our sessions with a smile
