Learn Dutch Faster: Proven Language Learning Tips for Expats

Everyone has heard about the difficulties of adult language learning. Acquiring a second language after age 18 gets trickier and trickier. But what people forget is that language learning should be fun! Conversation is the most accessible way we have to express ourselves. And the more languages you know, the more people you have available to be a part of your community. You also qualify for more professional positions and can live in more countries!

Textbooks are only going to get you so far in your learning. If you get bored, you might as well say “doei” to your chances of learning Dutch. Luckily, we’ve compiled some language learning tips for expats and wannabe expats alike.

Develop Intuitive Understanding (Don’t Just Memorize)

Dutch language coach Albert Both has been teaching Dutch for over 20 years, and he’s got the tips to prove it. “If you speak your own language, you just talk, and you don’t know what you’re doing. And when you speak another language, you have to know exactly what you’re doing,” says Both. That’s where he says ‘intuitive understanding’ comes in.

There is a difference between knowing something because you just memorized it and understanding how it really works. If you understand how it works, you can apply your knowledge to diverse subjects. Achieving intuitive understanding will allow you to create your own story any way you like, which is what language is at the end of the day– storytelling. Read on to learn how you can move closer to intuitive understanding.

How Many Dutch Words Do You Already Know?

We’ve all heard that it takes 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to master something. What if we think of it a different way? It is said you need 5,000 words to be fluent in a language. Fortunately for you, if you speak English, there are up to 2,000 exact cognates, or words that are the same, in English and Dutch.

Examples:

• Water = water
• Hand = hand
• Plant = plant
• Winter = winter

And beyond that, there are thousands more true cognates, which are nearly identical words.

Examples:

• Cat = kat
• Apple = appel
• Book = boek
• Knee = knie

So now, knowing that you’ve already got thousands of Dutch words under your belt, you can confidently shave some time off of your 10,000 hours.

Put in the Right Hours (Not Just 10,000)

When you are studying, make use of the various resources at your disposal. Of course, you’ll need to consult your textbook, but it’s important to vary your learning methods. Netflix and YouTube have plenty of Dutch-language content. You can listen to Dutch podcasts at 0.8 speed. You can go to language exchanges or volunteer in Dutch. Remember, language learning should be fun!

Pay attention to the time of day that you are learning. While the brain is not a muscle, it does behave like one by responding to training. It can be strengthened and improved by mental exercises and consistent use. Keep in mind that, just as some people have more success working out before or after work, your brain will probably have more responsive timing windows for studying. Play around with different routines to see what works best for you. Don’t be afraid to experiment!

Overcoming the Mental Block in Dutch

Learning Dutch can come with an unexpected psychological barrier. “If you speak English, the dominant language in the world, it may feel like you are giving up a kind of power position when switching. It’s always more difficult to go from a bigger language to a smaller language,” says Both.

People who speak English alone may tend to think their way of speaking is superior. This can lead to limiting sentence structure to phrasing that mimics English. But there are so many different ways to order a beer in Dutch, for example. “Speaking a language is all about freedom. You can create any sentence that you like. The sooner that you learn it, the sooner that you learn how to think in Dutch rather than staying in English,” encourages Both.

Anyone learning English as a second language understands the power of the whole new world that will open up to them. But learning Dutch will open up a new world, even if it’s a smaller one. Maintaining a genuine, eager openness is crucial to your language learning success. Besides, who wouldn’t want to think in two languages?

To overcome the mental block that leaves you tongue-tied in another language, you have to let go of being a perfectionist. Achieving fluency requires a little humility. Make peace with the fact that you are not going to sound like a native for a long time, but that is nothing to be ashamed of. “Don’t compare yourself to other people. It’s your journey,” says Both. If native speakers are judging you, it is likely a judgment of inspiration that you are bravely trying new things!

Immersion: The Fastest Way to Learn Dutch

Both created a new method for language learning called the Dutch Brainwash, which encourages intuitive understanding and actual speaking among its students. The seven-day course will give you the power to construct your own sentences (not just repeat ones you’ve already learned), explode your vocabulary, and control your mindset. It’s called a class, but the experience is akin to sitting around the table with friends.

The intensive immersion course uses non-stop, guided repetition to really brainwash students. The program guarantees individual tailoring and undivided attention from your language coach. Unlike the little green owl, the Dutch Brainwash will get you actually speaking. Dutch will stop being a subject you are learning and turn into a part of you as you move from memorizing to communicating. Learning Dutch as an adult may require patience, but it is entirely achievable. With consistent exposure, smart practice, and a willingness to make mistakes, you can build real fluency in no time.