How to Learn the Dutch Language
Dutch is a West Germanic language spoken in countries like the Netherlands, Belgium and Suriname. More than 22 million people speak Dutch worldwide. If you plan on visiting a Dutch-speaking country or if you simply have an interest in learning Dutch, there are various ways to learn this language.
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Instructions
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Learn Dutch online for free. If you want to learn basic words, phrases and grammar in Dutch, visit LearnDutch.org or Elanguageschool.net for free online lessons. (See Resources for more information.) These sites are useful if you plan on visiting a Dutch-speaking country for a vacation, but they are not meant for people to gain fluency in Dutch.
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Purchase Dutch language software. Programs like Rosetta Stone and Pimsleur Direct offer audio courses that help you learn basic conversational Dutch as well as more advanced Dutch. These programs are easy to use and convenient for people who do not have time to take a language class at a university or community college. (See Resources for more information.)
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Take a Dutch language class at a university or community college. College courses allow you to learn Dutch over a course of a few months. These classes offer in-depth training and the opportunity to converse with other Dutch students. Contact your local community college to inquire about enrolling in a Dutch class.
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Practice Dutch with a native speaker or another Dutch language student. If you are enrolled in a Dutch language course at a college, ask a classmate if he or she would like to practice speaking Dutch outside of class. Meet a few times a week to converse solely in Dutch to improve your language skills. If you are not enrolled in a college class, you can post fliers at your local college looking for a native Dutch speaker who can help you improve your Dutch. Conversely, you can help the native speaker learn English.
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Learn Dutch overseas. One of the fastest ways to learn Dutch is to live and study in a Dutch-speaking country. Programs like IPSA offer Dutch classes in Belgium for both college students and older travelers. (See Resources for more information.) Study abroad programs can be expensive, but they allow you the chance to learn Dutch in a Dutch-speaking culture and environment.
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Tips & Warnings
Purchase an English-Dutch/Dutch-English dictionary before you travel abroad. A dictionary can help you communicate with Dutch speakers and help you decipher store signs and road signs.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit This image is in the public domain.
