How To Learn Dutch Outside The Language School: 6 Tips For Intermediate Learners

You have already gone through the absolute beginner stage. You can tell a barista your order, recognize some signs, and take part in a simple conversation. However, you are now in a situation where you feel limited. You are living in that comfortable English, but the Dutch around you is still not very clear to you. So, it’s time to move on to the next level. I’d really like to integrate more, understand what’s going on around me, or actually be able to read that road sign I cycle past each day. If you’re eligible to vote, it would also be really nice to make an informed decision. Here are six tips to push those skills from “okay” to “actually pretty good,” all without a language school (although they can be the most helpful way to learn for some).

1. Play “Word of the Day” Whilst Walking

Make your regular walk to work or bike ride to the gym into a game. Each day, pick a new word you have seen somewhere. Perhaps it’s `apotheek`, `verhuurd`, or `geopend`. Look it up. The next day, you’ll see it again and reinforce it.

Continuing on that theme…. You pass road signs every day, but have you stopped to check what they mean? Some help learn what `verboden in te rijden` means (no entry by the way). The important thing is: What differentiates `uitgezonderd`(excepted) from `verplicht`(mandatory)? Such things sometimes help you in practical situations or act as guidelines to keep you safe on the road. Your objective is to understand every Dutch sign on your regular route. You’ll be sign fluent in no time.

2. Message In Dutch

Try to exchange messages in Dutch with your friends. Telephone exchanges with your Dutch friends via email, WhatsApp messages, or texts in which they message you entirely in Dutch about small, easy things, such as where to meet and basic topics, might help you. You can take time to translate English to Dutch and avoid the laid-back, abbreviated texting style. They may kindly correct your way of speaking as they teach you all the hot phrases and the ones worthy to be coupled with a single emoji (`leuk!`, `gezellig!`, `wat kut!`).

Try sending simple messages in Dutch to your friends. Start small with things like “Waar zullen we afspreken?” (Where shall we meet?). You can use a translator to help you compose your messages and to translate English to Dutch. Your Dutch friends will likely be happy to help and might even correct you kindly, teaching you fun slang like leuk!, gezellig!, or the ever-useful wat kut!.

3. Add Dutch To Your Social Media

Follow Dutch influencers, news accounts, and the local community on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The algorithm will then begin showing you Dutch content, helping you become familiar with modern slang and current events. Think how impressed your Dutch friends will be.

4. Use your Dutch at the Supermarket

Now that you’ve got a handle on some basic phrases from our first guide, try them out at the supermarket. There are only a few phrases you need at the tillen (til). How would you like to pay? Pinnen, alstublieft.` (Pin/debit card, please.) Ja, dat is alles.` (Yes, that’s all.) Would you like a bag? Fijne dag nog!` (Have a nice day!)

4. Become an Eavesdropper

Listen to a Dutch conversation around you. Listen actively, not passively. On the train, at the café, etc., quietly listen to what is being spoken over whatever conversation is going on. Try to isolate one word or a short phrase from what’s being said. You might hear `eigenlijk` (actually), `misschien` (maybe), or `wat erg` (how awful)?

5. Wean Yourself Off Google Translate (Strategically)

The most obvious one if you wish to translate English to Dutch. While reading a Dutch newspaper article, NU.nl is excellent for beginners, but do not paste almost the entire text in Translate. Instead, consider the Dutch for each sentence and try to grasp the meaning from the general context. Then translate only the one or two key words whose meaning you truly did not understand. It is this active struggle that causes learning.

6. Listen to Dutch podcasts while commuting or working out.

Zeg het in Dutch (explains grammar slowly) or Een Beetje Nederlands (general topics).

Het Geheugen van Nederland (fascinating Dutch history) or De Volkskrant Podcast (news stories are examined in depth).

You will make mistakes. You will say the wrong thing. You will accidentally say, Cashier, have a nice day, when you meant to say, “Thank you.” That is not failure; that is data collection. Every awkward interaction teaches you what works and what doesn’t. Most Dutch people would genuinely be delighted to help you with your attempt to learn their language. Begin small. Choose a few of the available hacks that you consider doable this week. Set your phone to Dutch, or just label everything in the fridge. Next week, incorporate a third action. A compound effect occurs when, over time, these small, consistent transformations become a strong foundation of practical, applied knowledge of the Dutch language. Go and get it! *Veel succes!*

Expect the more advanced version of this soon.