Dutch trainers Mylène (left) and Marlies (right)
Our trainers
Mylène Hanson is not only the driving force behind Let's Speak Dutch but also its founder and owner. She works together with Marlies Zegelaar for the Dutch language courses and with Michelle Boughton Smith for intercultural communication workshops.
Her partnership with Marlies, rooted in their shared teaching styles, began back in 2016. Together, they crafted Dutch conversation courses tailored for expats in Hilversum, giving rise to the establishment of Let's Speak Dutch. Mylene's unwavering commitment, vision, and passion for teaching have been pivotal in shaping the success and reputation of the institution as a go-to destination for those eager to learn Dutch in an immersive and effective environment.
In addition to her work with Marlies, Mylène recognised the importance of intercultural communication and decided to collaborate with Michelle. Michelle is a seasoned Business English and Intercultural Communication trainer with over 25 years of experience working with Dutch and international organizations. Being an expat herself, Michelle intimately understands the challenges of adapting to a new culture and recognises how learning from diverse cultures can significantly benefit individuals and teams.
Together, Mylene, Marlies, and Michelle form a dynamic team that offers a range of language courses and intercultural communication training, making Let's Speak Dutch a leading hub for personal and professional development.
Mylène
Mylène is a seasoned Dutch trainer, working with expats since 2009. In 2002 she finished her PhD on education in multicultural groups. After this period of research, she worked as an educational advisor, and later as a teacher at the Hogeschool Utrecht, where she specialized in Dutch as a second language (NT2).
In 2009 she started teaching NT2 to expats, in groups and privately. Mylène finds it important to tune in on the learning style of each learner, because every language learner is different. Besides her teaching activities, she is a professional singer in her very own jazz band WhoSheDo. For more information, check out her LinkedIn page.
Marlies
Marlies has always been passionate about language. She attained a master's degree in communication sciences after attending the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. At that same university, she became a certified Dutch teacher in 2017. She prepares her lessons carefully and makes sure they are far from boring.
She enjoys working with people from all around the world, and just like they learn from her, she learns a lot from them. Next to her teaching activities, she's a freelance B2B communication advisor for international tech companies. She is married to Marcel and has two small kids.
Michelle
Michelle is an experienced Business English and Intercultural Communication trainer who has been working with both Dutch and international organisations since 1995. As an expat herself, she understands the challenges of adapting to living and working in another culture and how learning from other cultures can enhance individuals and teams.
In 2010, she successfully finished the NLP Master Practitioner program, and in 2012, she completed a postgraduate course in Strategic Training. At the end of 2021, she obtained her postgraduate Coaching and Counseling certification, with a specialisation in Career, Team, and Leadership.