If only the Dunglish speaking prime minister Balkenende, Neelie Kroes and the late Pim Fortuyn had been smart enough to sign up for an English course with Nick Walker. The Englishman, born in Wimbledon (with a Dutch mother), teaches English and Dutch to executives in the business world. “Holland is a bi-lingual country. Many Dutch people think that they speak English well. But when you hear the language mistakes they make, you know that they don’t qualify for the international business market.” Reversely it’s just as important for foreigners working in the Netherlands, to be able to speak Dutch: “It opens doors and removes barriers.” Most of Walker’s clients are expats who want to learn Dutch; employees from law firms and advertising agencies, however he also trained a group of stand–up comedians. “They weren’t as much interested in learning Dutch, as they were in certain aspects of Dutch culture and particular language jokes.” Most of his trainees simply want to be able to communicate in Dutch. “Usually that takes up to a year. Germans, Danes and Swedes have an enormous advantage over native English speakers.” Apart from the fact that it’s useful for foreigners to speak Dutch, there is also a certain amount of prestige involved: “Expats often show off their Dutch. Someone who has lived here for years, and can only order a sandwich at the bakery, simply remains an outsider.” This article was written by Mischa de Woestijne for Quote Magazine in 2004.