1. Dr. Olaf Pecina
Head of Organization & Information Services
Nunhems Netherlands BV
Bayer CropScience Vegetable Seeds
P.O. Box 4005
August 8, 2014
To whom it may concern
Reference letter for the language lessons given by Sophia Riemersma
Dear Sir or Madam,
As part of an expatriate language training program Sophia Riemersma provided me with
Dutch language lessons from October 2013 until July 2014.
The organization of those lessons was very flexible, so that alternate dates for lessons were
found in case the regular scheduled lessons couldn’t take place. That was very much needed,
since I had a lot of absences due to business trips.
Sophia’s ability to motivate me as an absolute beginner to learn the Dutch language was
impressive. Sophia adapted the content of the lessons on my personal situation and
preferences I had for learning that new language. At the same time she consulted me
carefully on realistic but still challenging learning targets.
The language lessons were always very well prepared and conducted in such a way, that
they were demanding on the one side but also on a level where I could see the progress and
was thus motivated to continue.
Sophia applied a lot of different learning materials, ranging from classical text book work,
listening exercises, listening to Dutch songs, internet learning sites to reading and discussing
newspaper texts. Thus, each lessons was not only different and exciting, but that diversity of
different material helped a lot to enlarge upon the respective learning targets.
Sophia’s focus in the language lessons itself was to make me speak Dutch as much as
possible, even right from the beginning. I was really impressed that that worked out. Sophia
has a high ability to evoke that, even when I was very reluctant and unsecure how to
continue to explain my current thoughts on a certain topic. She always gave good examples
how similar content could expressed in a simpler way, which was very important for me in
order not to get stuck in formulating too complex sentences.
The lessons focused basically on understanding and speaking whereas the more repetitive
grammar exercises were left to homework and were only reviewed in the next lessons and
enlarged upon if needed. Thus, the language lessons itself was very effective. In addition, the
lessons were complemented by creative homework exercises, like explaining experiences

2. from vacation, writing short reports on cultural or other actual topics. That was very useful
in applying and transferring the learned content into other “real life” situations.
Overall, I was absolutely satisfied with the language course Sophia provided me during that
time. I definitely would recommend her as a language trainer to everyone who needs to
have efficient Dutch language training and needs to progress fast.
With kind regards,
Olaf Pecina