Starting to Learn Dutch: Real Stories from New Learners

“Internationals don’t want to learn Dutch!” As an international living in the Netherlands, you might have heard this story a million times. As the country with the best non-native English speakers in the world, the ease with which conversations can switch to English often makes it harder for internationals to practice Dutch and reduces the necessity of learning the language. Despite this, Dutch courses are always full of people eager to learn and make Dutch language their own.  Our Communication and Events Officer Sibilla recently joined a Dutch course herself, and had the chance to talk about this experience with some of her fellow students. 

Why should you learn Dutch? 

There are many reasons to start your Dutch learning journey (here we listed 5!), but what motivated these students to enrol in a Dutch course? 

Bin, from China, has been in the Netherlands for 1.5 years. She works for LUMC and lives with her husband and 5-year-old daughter. Her main reason to learn Dutch is that she is planning to live and work in the country for the long term. She is also encouraged by seeing her daughter learning the language in her own “childish” way. 

Josep comes from Mexico. He moved to the Netherlands 4.5 years ago to pursue two master's degrees. In the meantime, he also spent some time working in the country. Like Bin, Josep also wants to settle here in the Netherlands – or Flanders, where his girlfriend comes from. In fact, his relationship has had a major role in his decision to learn Dutch, as well as his many Dutch speaking friends. 

Briana moved from China to the Netherlands about a year ago to study. Unlike the other students, she is not yet planning to stay here long-term. In fact, her main reason to learn Dutch is rooted in the present: she wants to learn more about Dutch culture and to live more comfortably in the Netherlands. 

Maxim has been in the Netherlands for 2 years already. Originally from Russia, he is now a writer-in-residence at Leiden University and the publisher and editor-in-chief for the independent literary magazine ‘The 5th Wave’. For Maxim, learning Dutch is primarily a way of showing respect to the country and the culture that welcomed him. On top of that, he is learning Dutch to better understand what happens around him, as well as to get ready for his inburgeringsexam (Civic Integration Exam) to obtain a Dutch passport 3 years from now. 

Jason moved here from Ireland 5 years ago and has always wanted to join a Dutch language course and start his learning journey. He wanted to do so to help with his integration and, like Maxim, to show respect to the country and understand its culture better. On top of that, he wishes to be able to speak with his neighbours and colleagues from Leiden University, where he currently works as a teacher of International Law. 

What is it like to learn Dutch? 

Bin told us that her biggest challenge has been finding a different method to how she learned English, her second language. She recalls learning English in school was not efficient, nor enjoyable. Instead, she is now trying to learn Dutch as if she were a child. Being immersed in Dutch life gave her new motivation in doing so. In fact, observing her daughter, she noticed she learns in a different way: she listens a lot and repeatedly, and uses what she has already learned to learn new things. Constant feedback from adults helps her correct her pronunciation and get familiar with new words. Overall, Bin says that this seems a much more fun way of learning! 

Josep has taken an A1 course for the second time, as he wanted to make sure to have the basics “pinned down”. After all this time he still struggles with all the irregular verbs! 

Briana instead finds learning Dutch fulfilling and relaxing. She enrolled in a 3-week intensive course, and the quick progress for her was incredible. In addition, she says that learning as an adult gave her the chance to immerse herself in a new culture “without need to compare any theories or question any rationale behind it”. Of course, some things like listening and pronunciation were more challenging, but her teacher made the class enjoyable enough to get over it. 

Maxim is 60 and had not taken any courses for decades, but with the right teacher his journey started smoothly. He enjoyed the classes greatly, and immediately enrolled in the following level and he is eager to continue after that. 

Jason describes the experience as rewarding, though challenging. The quick progress he made was unexpected for him, and he thanks his gifted and passionate teacher for that, as well as his fellow students. Finding a committed class of students who are eager to help each other can really ease the learning process. 

What benefits can be noticed after starting to learn Dutch? 

“The Netherlands look slightly different to me now; street signs and advertisements are no longer meaningless” says Bin. These achievements might seem small but gave her a great sense of accomplishment and made her daily life more enjoyable. Similarly, Maxim mentioned that he is now paying attention to the Dutch words he hears, or sees written, something he could not do for the past two years. 

Josep told us he is now more confident in speaking Dutch in more complex situations – not only at a restaurant! He is passionate about exploring the country, and he went as far as to open a TikTok channel called LostInTheNL where he explores hidden secrets that the country has to offer beyond the Randstad. His project has helped him to connect with locals and discover not-well-known spots, strengthening his connection with the country. 

Briana is also eager to travel more across the country, as knowing Dutch made it more fun. She feels proud of herself for trying to use the language as much as she can, and the locals are happy to see her trying. Jason also noticed that the people he speaks Dutch with are really grateful and encouraging, something that helps when trying to practice using Dutch in basic daily interactions.