The benefits of learning a second language...

[Joe Black]

"Joe, have you learned dutch without being in Holland?"

No, I've been working in Belgium for the last year or so.

Could have chose French I suppose, but knew a few Flemish speakers and also the last contract was primarily Dutch speaking, likewise this job which is based both in Belgium and Holland.

"If so that was impressive"

I think hard work more than anything, 9 hours a week lessons then another 5 or 6 doing 'huiswerk'. There were also extra intensive courses during the summer, 35 hours a week for a couple of months but I think thats a bit too much of a push.

[threaded]

Aficionados refer to them as "Hoaxley" for a reason.

[mcquiggd]

Talking of Holland....

A month ago I rang up and asked about it only to be told 'oh, it was filled within a couple of days'.. yet it is still regularly posted every few days.

C# / ASP.NET Developers x 2
Last Posted:02/11/2005 09:13:04 | The Netherlands | €NEG | Contract

Huxley Associates client are looking for a Developer to work on a new project for them. To be considered for these roles you will need to have at least 2 years C# experience and some ASP.NET experience. It would also be beneficial if you had SQL Server experience. This role is to start ASAP, so if you are available then please send your CV.


Location: The Netherlands
Salary: €NEG
Type: Contract
Contact Name: Dean Whittingham
Advertiser: Huxley Associates - Amsterdam
Tel. No. 00 31 20 522 1250




C#/ASP.NET Developer x 2
Last Posted:28/10/2005 14:59:04 | Amsterdam | €NEG | ContractHuxley Associates major client in Amsterdam are looking for 2 Developers to help them on a number of projects. To be considered for this role you must have at least 2 Years C# and ASP.NET experience. Also experience of SQL Server would be prefered. This role is to start asap, so please send you CV if you are available.


Location: Amsterdam
Salary: €NEG
Type: Contract
Contact Name: Dean Whittingham
Advertiser: Huxley Associates - Amsterdam
Tel. No. 00 31 20 522 1250



Anyone fancy ringing up and see what story they get told...? I know its simply CV fishing but Id like to hear their excuse as to why they advertise a job a month after 'its been filled'...

[Francko]

Joe, have you learned dutch without being in Holland? If so that was impressive.

[n5gooner]

I prefer a Satsuma

I prefer the karma sutra

[Phoenix]

I have Mandarin, helped me win a contract doing a video device driver in Japanese. Which I then learnt.

Which is nice.

I prefer a Satsuma

[Joe Black]

"...well exactly Joe perhaps I should have spent my time immersed in Java or C++ books rather than flying off to Tenerife to improve my Spanish"

Can't say I've actually bought a tech book for years now, on that side of things I've generally learnt most of my stuff on the job.

The foreign language on the other hand...I've now got four dictionaries, half a dozen things on grammar, and have spent nine months doing 9 hour per week intensive courses...it's cost a bit thats for sure.

PS: threaded, I thought you invented Japanese?

[threaded]

I have Mandarin, helped me win a contract doing a video device driver in Japanese. Which I then learnt.

Which is nice.

[Phoenix]

G'day,

Well I speak reasonable American and Australian!

Missing you already!

[BlasterBates]

...well exactly Joe perhaps I should have spent my time immersed in Java or C++ books rather than flying off to Tenerife to improve my Spanish.

[Joe Black]

BB, so learning the German hasn't helped, or do you just have the wrong skills?

"Surely Hindi or Mandarin would be more useful in the long term..."

Hmm...sorry Mordie, a contract in Beijing or New Delhi just doesn't appeal to me right now.

[Mordac]

Surely Hindi or Mandarin would be more useful in the long term...

[BlasterBates]

...really

well done.

I used to have this opinion before I learnt German but now I'm restricted crapply paid jobs in Europe, with the additional disadvantage that the competition speak better German than I do.



Hoe gaat het?

[scotspine]

cela va sans dire, mein freund...

[Joe Black]

Have just had my first telephone interview...in Dutch, and it looks like all the time and effort is starting to pay off, because - yippee!! - I passed and get to go to a second inteview in-person next week.


What can I say, a few years ago it would have just been another position on JobServe in some foreign language which I wouldn't have bothered applying for, today its a potential well-paid contract.

So my thought, or post for the for the day...if you fancy working in Europe in the future, start learning a second language, it just might be a better investment than a .NET course.