Learning a language is not just about memorising new words or mastering grammar rules.
Of course, vocabulary and grammar matter — but they are only the starting point.
I’m talking about this because I regularly hear expats ask:
Why should I learn Luxembourgish when everyone speaks English?
Or: Isn’t it useless to learn a language that is only spoken in Luxembourg — especially in a country where almost half the population is foreign?
And on the surface, these questions make sense. Luxembourg is multilingual. English, French and German are part of everyday life.
But learning a language has never really been about efficiency.
Learning a language …
- … is about people
- it’s about connection
- it’s about feeling less like an outsider and more like you belong.
And this is especially true when we talk about learning Luxembourgish.
In today’s episode, I want to explore what learning Luxembourgish really means beyond grammar and vocabulary.
We’ll talk about language as a tool for connection, integration and belonging — at work, in families, and in everyday life in Luxembourg.
And I’ll share why, even in a multilingual country, Luxembourgish still matters.
Language as Connection
When you learn Luxembourgish, you’re not just learning a language – you’re opening a door.
A door to conversations with neighbours, colleagues, teachers at your children’s school, or people you meet at local events.
A door to small moments: a chat at the bakery, a smile at the playground, a short conversation that suddenly feels natural instead of stressful.
Most Luxembourgish with Anne’s learners tell me this: “I understand more than I can speak, but I don’t feel confident.”
And that’s exactly where language becomes emotional, not technical.
Because speaking Luxembourgish is often less about being perfect and more about showing up and trying.
Integration and Belonging
Learning Luxembourgish helps you integrate into the country in a deeper way.
It’s about adding one more layer to your life in Luxembourg.
When you start to understand what’s being said around you, when you can respond — even with simple sentences — something changes.
You stop feeling like you’re just living in Luxembourg. You start feeling at home.
And that feeling of belonging is powerful.
But this is also where many learners struggle.
Luxembourg is a multilingual country, and most native speakers speak fluent English, French and German.
So the moment they hear that you’re not Luxembourgish, they often switch automatically into another language, usually to be helpful.
And in Luxembourg City and near the borders, many people working in shops, restaurants and bars are French or German speakers.
So even when you want to practise Luxembourgish, you might not hear it and you might not get the chance to speak it.
This can be frustrating.
It can make you feel like learning Luxembourgish is invisible.
Like there’s no space for it in everyday life.
But that doesn’t make your effort any less valuable.
In fact, it makes every moment you do use Luxembourgish even more meaningful.
Families and Parents
And this becomes even more meaningful if you have children.
Many expat families choose the European School or an international school, where Luxembourgish is often optional and not part of daily school life.
When children are very young, this often doesn’t feel like a problem.
They play, they adapt quickly, they find their place – language seems secondary.
But as children grow older — often around the age of eight or beyond — things start to change.
Parents tell me this again and again: their children are part of sports clubs, music classes, scouts, or other leisure activities, and suddenly Luxembourgish is everywhere.
Instructions, jokes, team dynamics, friendships …. They all happen naturally in Luxembourgish.
And that’s when children begin to notice the gap.
They may still participate, but they don’t always fully understand.
They may feel one step behind, less confident, or dependent on others to translate.
What didn’t matter at five suddenly matters at ten.
This is not too late. It’s simply the moment when language becomes more than communication.
It becomes access:
- Access to friendships.
- Access to group dynamics.
- Access to feeling fully included, rather than just present.
And this is where parents play a crucial role.
When you, as a parent, start learning Luxembourgish — or continue learning it — you’re not just learning for yourself.
You’re showing your child that integration is something you grow into together.
That it’s okay to start late, to learn slowly, and to make mistakes.
And that language is not about being perfect, but about opening doors.
Even small steps matter.
Understanding what’s being said at the club.
Helping your child with a few key words.
Showing interest in the language they hear around them.
Because in the long run, Luxembourgish can make the difference between participating and belonging — for both children and parents.
Core Value – Luxembourgish with Anne
And this belief is at the heart of Luxembourgish with Anne.
We don’t focus only on rules, lists, or perfection.
We focus on helping learners use Luxembourgish where it truly matters: in real conversations, real workplaces, and real social settings.
Our approach helps people connect with local people, feel more confident at work, and integrate into the country beyond their job title.
Because learning Luxembourgish is not just a personal achievement — it’s about integration in everyday working life as mentioned earlier (in this episode).
For employers and HR teams, this means supporting people not only in what they do at work, but in how they feel at work.
When employees feel connected to the local language and culture, they communicate more openly, build stronger relationships, and are more likely to stay and truly engage – both professionally and socially.
That’s what we mean at Luxembourgish with Anne:
language learning that supports integration, inclusion, and long-term retention — not just exam results.
From Language Training to Real Integration
So if you’re learning Luxembourgish, remember this:
Every word you use is a step closer to connection.
Every sentence you try is a step closer to belonging.
If you want to move beyond traditional language courses and create real integration for your international employees, I invite you to book a consultation call.
Together, we’ll look at how Luxembourgish learning can support confidence, inclusion, and long-term engagement in your organisation in a way that truly fits your teams and your workplace reality.
Because when employees feel they belong, they don’t just work in Luxembourg.
They stay, they engage, and they grow with your organisation.
