During the hike, Felix taught me some basics French words that were related to nature. I learned how to say things like: foret, (forest), lac (lake) and champignon (mushroom). It was funny to see that some words sounds similar to English or Dutch, but others are completely different. I also learned to form simple some sentences. It helped me realize that pronunciation in French can be quite tricky, but with some practice, it became easier to recognize the sounds.
While walking I taught Felix some Dutch words too, especially those related to the forest and the landscape. We repeated them several times as we saw things around us, which made it easier to remember. Sometimes we also compared words between Dutch, French and German, since Katja joined us. It was interesting to notice how some words are similar across languages, while others are unique.
We also talked a lot about cultural differences between our countries, for example, how the Netherlands is so flat compared to France and how Dutch people often travel abroad for mountains or hiking. The discussion made me appreciate how geography can influence traditions, holidays and even language.
Overall it was a very fun and educational day. I enjoyed learning new French words in a natural environment and it was nice to see that Felix was equally motivated to learn Dutch. It felt like a great start to our Each One Teach One project and I am looking forward to the next activities together!
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