Listen to the audio and answer the questions:
Fill-in exercise and answers in the free PDF
Where to find short Dutch texts
As soon as you’ve learned a couple of Dutch words, a student feels ready to start reading simple, short texts. So what are your options?
The first option should be your textbook. Many handbooks contain short texts just at your level. Often overlooked, but useful and with exercises. Also check if there is a workbook that comes along.
Wablieft is a website dedicated to simple Dutch. There is a section with newspapers, called kranten. Some of the articles are for free but you can also get a subscription with a newspaper in paper. Additionally, there’s a list of books according to their level.
Often recommended by teachers is Nedbox. It’s a regularly updated website with texts and videos from the Belgian news. Exercises are added, which can be adapted to your level.
Lingua.com published over 30 texts and listening exercises, plus some premium ones. The texts are on different levels.
Reading the media is only recommended to intermediate students. You may find newspapers at the local library, where you’ll also find books for young adults. These are typically easier to read.
Last but not least: I wrote a book with simple texts for A2 level, as well as one for A2-B1 level. The difficult words are marked in bold, so you’ll learn plenty of new words.
Best Dutch dictionaries
Looking for the best Dutch dictionary? Search no more, here’s an overview to pick your online Dutch dictionary. The first three translate from Dutch to English and English to Dutch.
- Google Translate
Yes, it isn’t always accurate. Yes, expressions are sometimes translated literally. But it has the most languages. It can translate texts pretty well. It reads words out loud. It gives alternatives. And if you type in an URL, it translates the whole website. Did I say it’s fast? No wonder Google Translate is the first translator I open during lessons. - Deepl
Translates a little better than Google Translate, but has fewer features. Can also translate documents. - Reverso Context
My favourite for expressions, conjugations and other idioms or words usually used together. This website compares many documents and matches English and Dutch translations. Very handy for words and expressions having multiple meanings. Only disadvantage: a bit slow. - Van Dale
This is THE dictionary for Dutch-speaking people. It does feature English to Dutch and vice-versa translations, but it’s the reference book. I use it to check if words exist in Dutch, and for sample sentences and the different meanings of words.
Dutch for business: start speaking Dutch at work
Do you need to start speaking Dutch at work? Good news: with my course, you’ll learn over 250 phrases you can use now as soon as you go back to work.
Using dialogues and many practical examples, you’ll learn what to say during presentations, meetings and other situations at work.
The level of the course is around B1, so make sure you already know 1000 words before starting. The course is completely in Dutch.
Learn your language – with your budget
Learning languages costs money, right? Not always, but it definitely helps. Let’s take a look at what your options are – according to the amount of money you can spend.
For free
What can you do for free? Many apps are for free, such as Duolingo. Using Google Translate to learn all the basic phrases can be an option too. Ask your friends, colleagues and family to teach you a little every day. Also ask if you can borrow their language learning books. Talking to people on the street is also for free.
0-200 € per year
Evening classes by the government are relatively cheap. Many apps have paid options, which are better than the free ones. There are plenty of second hand books of high quality to find on sites like Amazon or in your local second-hand bookshop. Looking for an online teacher? Some might have lower rates on Italki.
200-1000 € per year
Group classes in smaller groups are more efficient, so check out if there’s a language school in your neighbourhood. Private tutors might also help, online or offline. A good, high-quality book might be offered by the language school. But you can always buy one for yourself.
1000+ € per year
The fastest and most expensive way? Individual language classes. If you own a company, don’t forget to put them in your costs and check if there is public funding.
Learn Dutch with stories: book at A2-B1 level
Want to learn over 1000 words and expressions with a book? You’re in luck, I’ve just published this new book for students at A2-B1 level. The stories are about foreigners getting to know Dutch and Belgian culture. So you’ll not only learn Dutch, but also learn about the Netherlands and Belgium.
All difficult words are translated into English, the literal translation of the expressions are also given as well as the articles and plurals of nouns. Verbs’ past tenses are also given.
The book is available as an ebook as well as paperback. Enjoy!
Dutch grammar for beginners: new book
Pleased to announce my latest book: Dutch grammar for beginners. Most English speaking beginners have the same questions about Dutch. That’s why I wrote this brand new book, which serves both as an exercise book as well as a reference book.
Included are all the different pronouns, the tenses beginners need to learn, many prepositions, and more. A link to the appropriate videos on my YouTube channel is added.
Enjoy!
English speaking jobs in Belgium
Surely, learning Dutch definitely helps to get a job in Belgium, and here’s your place to start your journey. But where do my students who haven’t reached fluency yet work? Who are the people actually recruiting English speakers?
A first group of students works at multinational companies. Due to the international nature of the companies, English is often used as the working language. So check out if they have job openings at industrial companies like Volvo, Volvo Trucks or Bekaert. Chemical company Dow is just over the border in Terneuzen. Tech company Google has offices in both Brussels and the French-speaking region in the south. Other companies include Eastpack, Unilever, Petronas and travel company Booking.com. There are many more companies around the port areas of Ghent and Antwerp.
The second group works in Brussels for international governmental institutions. For example, for the European Union, which almost exclusively recruits EU citizens, or NATO. However, there are many ngo’s and lobbying companies collaborating with these institutions. A list of these jobs can be found on EuroBrussels. Also check if your embassy or consulate isn’t recruiting.
The third – and biggest – group of students have their own company. Even though having your own business can be quite a big responsibility, it’s relatively easy to start one in Belgium. First step would be to go to a social secretariat like Acerta to register your business. My students are active in various sectors, from baking to consulting.
Many students are doing their PhD and sometimes continue working at a university. They do their research in many fields, and as the academic environment has become increasingly international, Dutch isn’t mandatory for many positions. Technically, doing a PhD isn’t work, but it’s considered normal to get a decent wage when doing one. For example with scholarships.
Other students are working at mid-level companies, mostly as specialists. I’ve had medical experts and engineers, some people working in industrial environments like in Brose or in IT companies like DataRoots.
The last categorie would be foreign language teachers, either in a secondary school or in a language school.
Dutch for intermediate students: new course
After long hours of filming, drawing up exercises and recording MP3 files, I’m happy to announce my fifth course to learn Dutch is ready.
Using total immersion and a practical approach, the course focuses on those topics intermediate students find challenging, like the word ‘door’ or ‘het hangt ervan af.’
Every video lesson is about 10 minutes and contains new words, expressions and grammar. Most of the words taught are among the most common words used in Dutch. After the video lesson, the words are written down and read in an MP3 file.
Each lesson also contains a text in which the new words are included, which is also read in a downloadable audio file. Lessons finish with a quiz to test the knowledge. At the end of the series of lessons, there’s an exam.
This method is also used in my other courses you can find here.
6 Best Dutch learning websites to learn Dutch with
Which websites should you bookmark while learning Dutch? Obviously no websites for absolute beginners, as you’ll quickly improve. The websites below are almost all in Dutch and from Belgium.
Most students know the obvious suspects: Duolingo, Dutchgrammar.org, all the YouTube channels and other popular apps or websites. But which ones haven’t you heard of?
Nedbox: even though it’s completely in Dutch, this little gem offers articles and videos to practice your comprehension skills. Choose a topic, choose a level (the little stars on top), choose to learn Dutch.
NederlandsOefenen: again completely in Dutch, the main point of this website is to put Dutch learners together. Groups a lot of activities like reading classes, language exchanges, group classes per region. Plus some inspiration and other tips.
Wablieft is a lovely initiative to make reading easy. Has a newspaper with easy articles and links to many books for foreigners while indicating the level of the book.
Even though the visual aspect and the navigation are… well, ready for improvement, Dutch with Ambition offers intermediate students many high-quality exercises. Click on the tabs on top, you’ll see options.
ZichtbaarNederlands makes grammar visual and I do refer many times to their explanations. Only one on this list with English version and from the Netherlands.
For experts, Taaladvies answers most of their questions. Only for advanced learners, mostly at C-level.