How To Learn Dutch Outside Of A Language School

If you’re one of the 2.7 million people in the Netherlands who moved here from another country, you might speak little or no Dutch. When you arrived, you thought it would be nice to learn Dutch. But after a bit of time here, you realize just how widespread English is—and it’s convenient, right? So much so that you just don’t bother. Time goes on, and all you really know is lekker and gezellig. Sound familiar?

So yes—you can live in an English-language bubble. But most expats eventually hit a moment where they think, “I’d like to understand what people are saying on the tram.” “I want to be able to read the signs I pass every day.” “I want to feel more part of Dutch social life, not always standing on the sidelines.” “I want to watch Dutch news and understand what’s going on in politics.” But what is the best way to learn Dutch? Well, you don’t NEED language schools, here’s some techniques for learning outside of language schools.

Absolute Beginners: Where to Start Learning Dutch Outside a Language School

One crucial point is that to learn Dutch is not about memorizing words or grammar rules. It is about immersion and making repeated use of that language. This is the best way to learn Dutch. Life in the Netherlands is a language course for the few moments you can spare to observe your surrounding environment. But change only comes when you shift your mindset to an open one. Instead of something to learn, think of it as “I get to experience Dutch every day.” Then watch it become easier. Here are our tips for learning Dutch outside a language school:

1. Use AI as a Language Teacher

Think of AI chatbots as your free, Dutch tutor. It can give lessons in digestible chunks, asking you to finish sentences with a few blanks or to make a whole sentence. Feedback is instant. On the spot. “Remember the rule for this kind of verb. Tell it you’re a beginner, ask it to create some beginner-level exercises. When you want more freedom, just set up a “chat buddy” persona in the usual chat session by saying, “ChatGPT, be my Dutch tutor.” Another great benefit is personalization. If you enable Memory in your ChatGPT settings, the AI can remember your goals, challenges, and cliff-hangers from previous lessons. You lean over time, without pressure of a classroom environment.

2. Gamify Learning With A Dutch Language Learning App

Dutch-language learning apps, with the usual suspects Duolingo and Babbel, are popular ways to learn Dutch. And for a reason. Such apps cater to structured vocabulary development, short phrases, and simple sentences. They’re also incredibly convenient. Got time to kill at an airport…? Get learning…

They can listen to your pronunciation through their speech recognition technology and give you feedback. Gamification can keep motivation up Set a daily goal for yourself, even for just 5 minutes. Repeat those lessons or words that you keep getting wrong. And then combine these with other forms of ‘real-world’ practice: watching, listening, speaking, and so forth.

3. Add Post-it Notes To…..Everything

Label everything in the house with post-it notes. Don’t be shy. If you do not want to have some visible, stick them on the inside of the cupboard. It works like that because of the repetition method, which is context-specific to the environment. So, start with the most-used rooms first.

In the kitchen: `koelkast` (fridge), `fornuis` (stove), and `magnetron` (microwave);
In the bathroom: `wasbak` (sink), `spiegel` (mirror), and `douche` (shower).

And don’t leave out `deur` (door) and `raam` (window). Just write down the article (eg, the ‘a,’ and the ‘the’ in Dutch) plus the noun, because this is very important in Dutch. In a few days’ time, they can then start referring to the items with some adjectives like `grote koelkast` (big fridge) or `schone spiegel` (clean mirror). Afterwards, verbs come in: `Ik zet water op.` (I boil water)-to be written on the kettle.

4. Switch Your Device’s Menus to Dutch

This might just be one of the most effective methods. Another great example of reinforced learning, why not change the language settings on the phone, computer, TV, and Netflix, or any other streaming app while you’re on it. Since you work on intuition from these menus, you will learn words like `instellingen` (settings), `opslaan` (save), and `wachtwoord` (password) by context. Sure, you might be frustrated for a day or two, but soon the crucial verbs and nouns that you need to navigate will be learned through repeated use.

5. Install Subtitles & Watch Dutch News

If you install the free Language Reactor Chrome extension on your laptop or phone, you can learn Dutch via YouTube content, such as NOS news, with English and Dutch subtitles, pausing to save vocabulary. In addition, you can slow down the spoken dialogue of the YouTube content by adjusting the playback speed. This activity will help you pronounce more clearly while also enhancing your understanding of what’s happening, eg, the economy and everyday life. Dutch news is a fantastic way to improve your listening skills and stay up to date on current events.

6. Bingewatch Netflix (in Dutch)

For some, the best way to learn Dutch is to try watching your favorite shows in English, but with Dutch subtitles. Your brain will start associating spoken English with written Dutch. For the next level, watch any Dutch show with English subtitles. For the next level, watch Dutch shows with Dutch subtitles to connect spoken and written language.

7. Shop in Dutch

Another way to learn Dutch outside a language school is to write your grocery list in Dutch. While in the stores, try reading the front and back labels. What are the ingredients (`ingrediënten`)? What does `aanbieding` or `twee voor één` mean? This is practical Dutch that you will use every week. Food is something we deal with daily. Switching items on your grocery list is a low-risk and fairly straightforward way to acquire vocabulary.

Stay tuned for our intermediate guide, coming soon!