Category: Dutch

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Handbooks to learn Dutch: recommended books

Looking for a handbook to learn Dutch? Here’s a list of books you would use in a classroom. Of course, you can also take a look at my list of teach yourself books and grammar books. But here, we’ll cover those books you’d use in a classroom. Make sure to find one according to your needs.
Disclaimer: I might get a small commission if you buy the book through the links. Stars (*) are based on my opinion.

1. Contact (4,5*) by Intertaal
+ Presentation, quality content, complete
– Price, no slow introduction
Audio in Dutch from the Netherlands
Level: (absolute) beginners and intermediate
Language: Dutch only
Price: highest
Format: paperback
Buy the textbook via Bol.com for beginners, intermediate and advanced intermediate.
Buy the exercise book for beginners, intermediate and advanced intermediate.

2. Ter Zake (4,5*) by Intertaal
+ Topical: focus on business, nice presentation, quality material
– Price, not much except business, no series
Audio in Dutch from the Netherlands
Level: intermediate
Language: Dutch only
Price: highest
Format: paperback
Buy via Bol.com or Amazon (German version)

3. Nederlands in Gang, Nederlands in Actie, Nederlands op Niveau & Nederlands naar Perfectie (4,5*)
+ Almost only exercises, good content, part of a series
– Not a good mix, few explanations
Level: (absolute) beginners, intermediate, advanced
Language: Dutch only, except a little English in the first book
Price: high
Format: paperback
Buy via Bol.com: in Gang (A1-2), in Actie (B1), op Niveau (B2), naar Perfectie (C1)
Via Amazon: in Gang (A1-2), in Actie (B1), op Niveau (B2), naar Perfectie (C1)

4. De opmaat, Van start, In zicht, De sprong, Vooruit, De finale (4.5*)
+ Exercises & vocabulary, presentation, quality content, focus on preparation for Staatsexamen
– No solutions
Audio and video in Dutch from the Netherlands
Level: (absolute) beginners and intermediate
Language: Dutch only
Price: high
Format: paperback
De opmaat and de sprong are a bit harder than van start and in zicht.
Buy via Bol.com: Van start & De opmaat (beginners), In zicht & De sprong (advanced beginners), Vooruit (intermediate), De finale (advanced intermediate)
Via Amazon: Van start & De opmaat (beginners), In zicht & De sprong (advanced beginners), De finale (advanced intermediate)

5. Totaal (4*) by Anneke van den Broek
+ Nice presentation, good content
– Price
Audio in Dutch from the Netherlands
Level: (absolute) beginners
Language: Dutch only except vocabulary
Price: highest
Format: paperback
Buy via Bol.com, second book for intermediate level is here.

6. Vanzelfsprekend (4*) by Rita Devos and Han Fraeters
+ Good content mix, story-based learning, useful vocabulary
– Old feel & look
Audio & video in Belgian Dutch
Level: (absolute) beginners
Language: mostly Dutch but some explanations in English
Price: middle-high
Format: paperback
Buy via Bol.com the textbook and workbook, or the textbook via Amazon.

7. Taaltrainer voor gevorderde anderstaligen (3,5*) by Emmeke Boot and Sytske Degenhart
+ Useful vocabulary, practical, focus on business
– Layout, price
Audio in Dutch from the Netherlands
Level: intermediate
Language: Dutch only
Paperback price: highest
Format: paperback
Buy via Bol.com.

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Days of the week in Dutch

Let’s learn the days of the week in the Dutch language. Let’s start with the first four days. Also feel free to watch the video with audio:

First off: the days of the week aren’t written with capitals and all days end with the Dutch word for day, which is ‘dag.’ As you can see, Monday is very close to its Dutch equivalent. One trick to remember Monday in Dutch: ‘maan’ means the moon. Same so for Thursday: ‘donder’ means thunder.

Tip: put a calendar in Dutch on your desk, you’ll learn the days in no time!

Second part of the week: Friday is in Dutch literally free-day. And Sunday, just like in English, is sun-day. On calendars, you might see the following abbreviations. They’re simply the first two letters of the days of the week:

One last thing: to say ‘on’ a particular day, we use ‘op’ in Dutch. So you say ‘op maandag’, meaning on Monday.

Interested in starting to learn Dutch? Enrol in my course for absolute beginners!

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Dutch language schools in the Netherlands

Looking for a language school to learn Dutch? There are many institutes offering language classes. Here is an overview of the possibilities.

Berlitz is an international language school with courses in Amsterdam, Maastricht, Den Haag, Rotterdam and Eindhoven.

Elycio Talen focuses on Business Dutch. Group classes available in about 10 cities in the Netherlands.

Taalthuis offers courses in 8 cities in the Netherlands and offers a wide range of courses.

Flowently will connect you to a tutor for one-on-one classes, or for two students. Tutors are available all over the country.

At Language Partners, teachers will adapt to your needs. The school is present in 8 cities in the Netherlands.

The University of Tilburg offers many language courses, including a language café.

Sagenn doesn’t only give language classes, but also helps people to find a job.

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Top Dutch language YouTube channels

Learn the Dutch language from Belgium, also called Flemish

YouTube is an obvious choice to learn a language: it’s free, and there are plenty of teachers teaching you Dutch. Let’s check out which YouTube channels offer the best choices.

LearnDutch.org is one of the most popular channels (120 000+ subscribers, 2.4M+ views, 380+ videos!) to learn Dutch. For good reasons: the channel has a course including the 1000 most common words, animated videos on grammar and pronunciation and plenty of cultural advice for the Netherlands.

DutchPod101.com is connected with many channels to learn other languages. It has good animated series on listening comprehension, includes many exercises and new words and also focuses on how to learn Dutch. Over 70 000 already subscribed, amounting to 5M+ views for over 320 videos.

My own channel is obviously the best. I answer those questions and topics Dutch students have the most difficulties with. Expect to learn a lot with my videos.

EasyDutch publishes videos in very easy Dutch, interviewing people who make an effort to speak slowly.

Learn with Udemy, the online course provider
Yes, you can learn on YouTube too!

A few channels seem inactive but have over 10 000 subscribers. Learn Dutch with Niels features a teacher explaining single topics in 15 videos, just like in DutchForN00bs with 25 videos. Learn Dutch with Rozemarijn features only pictures with words written on them read out loud. If you know Arabic, check out this channel.

Found another good channel? Let me know.

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New book: 300+ common Dutch language errors made by English speakers and how to avoid them

Learn the Dutch language from Belgium, also called Flemish

As a Dutch teacher, I often correct the same mistakes. Why? Because almost all students know English too. And they translate literally from English. But Dutch isn’t English, and typical issues will arise because of those structures, grammar issues and words different in Dutch.

One typical example is the structure of the sentences. How does the following sound: ‘Now think I that it good is in order quick to travel’? Yes, this is the word structure in Dutch. Other typical example is ‘I speak in the English’, because Dutch adds an article in front of the languages.

Correct your Dutch mistakes

That’s why I wrote a book, based on my experiences. Over 300 of examples are shown, translated and corrected with clear explanations about the reason why English speakers make them. The book is written for advanced beginners, from level A2 to B1.

There are hundreds of additional exercises to help you practice, with the solutions at the end of the book. I sincerely hope to help you perfect your Dutch by buying this book. Feel free to take a look at other products in the shop.

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Best Dutch language learning podcasts

microphone pop filter

Podcasts are an excellent way to learn languages by listening. Wherever you are, improve your Dutch skills with these podcasts.

Hear news fragments read slowly and head over to the ‘Say it in Dutch‘ podcast. Ideal for advanced beginners to intermediate students. In each episode of around 30 minutes, someone reads a news story in Dutch, but very slowly. To get the PDFs with the transcripts you’ll have to pay though.
Duration: 30 minutes, level: A2-B1, transcripts: paid

In een beetje Nederlands – a bit of Dutch – you’ll learn in each episode about Dutch culture and many other topics in slow Dutch. The website is entirely for free.
Duration 10-20 minutes, level: A2-B1, transcripts: free.

DutchPod101.com is a Dutch learning platform. Except over 1000 podcasts for all levels, there are video lessons, exercises, transcripts and vocabulary lists. Making an account is necessary, and some of the features are paid.
Duration: variable, level: A1-B2, transcripts: account/paid

Learn basic phrases with LinguaBoost, you can listen to the podcast here. However, you’ll have to pay to get the transcripts.
Duration 5-10 minutes, level: A1-A2, transcripts: paid via this link.

Interested in simple, everyday stories of about 5 minutes? That’s what Dutch teacher Caroline makes with her podcast 5 minuten Nederlands. It’s intended for intermediate students, transcripts can be asked via her email address in the link.
Duration: 5 minutes, level: B1+, transcripts: on demand

Yes, you can learn by listening, even in the bus! ©

The Dutch Online Academy features podcasts for advanced beginners and intermediate learners. A simple text is read about a specific topic is read slowly. Occasionally it focuses on a grammar topic, but no explanations are given in the Podcast. Transcripts are available for free.
Duration: 3-10 minutes, level: mostly A2-B1, transcripts: free

One of the few podcasts also using English are the ones from Dutch Grammar. They focus on a topic per podcast, with useful phrases. It’s one of the older podcasts, but you can find the transcripts and their translations via the link.
Duration: 1-6 minutes, level: A2-B1, transcripts: free

However, there are many other podcasts unrelated to language learning. There is a huge selection of podcasts from Belgium you can find on Vlaamsepodcasts.be. If you prefer podcasts from the Netherlands, go to Podcast Luisteren. Need some help to choose one? Read my other article.

Spotted another one? Let me know in the comments!

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Dutch news, slowly read

Watching the news is an excellent way to improve your comprehension skills. However, sometimes it goes too fast. That’s why I started making videos in slow Dutch. And here’s the first edition:

You’ll get the translation of the most difficult words. Plus, you can slow down the speed of the videos. So you’ll be learning news words in a Dutch context!

Don’t forget to subscribe to my Youtube Channel for more.

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Als in Dutch

Learn the Dutch language from Belgium, also called Flemish

Als is translated in English as ‘if’ and ‘as’. However, many English speakers learning Dutch will have three challenges while using als: the word order, the connection with when and the comparative.

The word order
Conjunctions such as because, while and so that change the order of the words. If the conjunction is in the middle of the sentence, the verbs will be at the end:
-Ik ga naar huis als ik morgen niet moet werken.
-I go home if I don’t have to work tomorrow.
If you start your sentence with the conjunction, the verbs will be at the end of the first part of your sentence, and the next one starts with inversion:
-Als ik morgen niet moet werken, ga ik naar huis.
-If I don’t have to work tomorrow, I go home.

The connection with when
‘Wanneer’ has the same meaning as ‘als.’ However, wanneer also has another meaning: ‘when’ with time in the past. You can’t use als in the following case:
-When I went to school, I was happy.
–Wanneer ik naar school ging, was ik gelukkig.
Same goes for questions. When you’re asking questions with when, always use wanneer:
-When do we go?
-Wanneer gaan we?

Wanneer or als? ©

The comparative
Als has also other uses, apart from being a conjunction. Here are two of them:
-I work as a coach.
-Ik werk als coach.

-It’s the same as yesterday.
-Dat is hetzelfde als gisteren.

The first meaning is ‘in the capacity of’, and the second meaning one is only used with the same as, not by using the comparative as in the following example:
-I’m bigger than you.
-Ik ben groter dan jou.

Also, when you’re using the structure ‘as … as … ‘, only the second as will be als:
-as big as him
-zo groot als hem
The first one will use zo.

Exercises
Put the words in the right order (both starting with als and with als in the middle):
– ga – wil – iets – ik – hem – naar – als – wil – wel – drinken
Fill in wanneer / als (both are possible):
– … heb je tijd?
– … je tijd hebt, kom je dan naar mij?
Translate:
– He’s as fast as his sister.
– If you study Dutch, you’ll need a good teacher.

Solutions
-Als ik iets wil drinken, ga ik wel naar hem. / Ik ga wel naar hem als ik iets wil drinken.
-wanneer / wanneer or als
-Hij is zo snel als zijn zus.
-Als je Nederlands studeert, zal je een goede leraar nodig hebben.

Interested in Dutch language lessons? Book me for private lessons (here‘s $10 extra).

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Learn when to use ‘zo’ in Dutch

English speakers use so very often. ‘I think so.’ Or: ‘So, what’s next?’ Or: ‘that’s so amazing!’ Unfortunately, in Dutch, only the last one uses ‘zo’ the same way. Let’s learn when to use ‘zo’ in Dutch.

So in between sentences
One of the first mistakes I correct as a Dutch teacher, is using ‘zo’ in between sentences. It’s often used to combine sentences. But, in Dutch, we use ‘dus’. So drop the zo’s there.

Zoo or zo? ©

So when do you use ‘zo’? Well, in Dutch, it has several meanings. One is ‘in this way‘ or ‘like this.’ So when someone asks: ‘how do you open the window’, and you’re showing it, you would say ‘zo’. Or, if you’d like to say ‘this way, we’ll never get there in time’, one also starts the sentence with zo. It’s also how a Dutch speaker would interpret ‘ik denk zo’. They would think you’d like to say you ‘think this way.’ Rather say ‘ik denk het’.

Another use is the same as in English, with an adjective. So good will be translated as ‘zo goed’. So big means ‘zo groot’. In this case, English speakers are quite safe. However, if you’d like to say ‘as big as … ‘ one would also use zo: ‘zo groot als’.

Another strange way to use zo is by saying ‘see you soon.’ One can use ‘tot zo’ in Dutch. Also, don’t confuse a zoo with zo. The one with animals is written in the same way as in English.

Exercise: fill in the missing words.
Jouw tuin is … mooi! Wil je dieren in jouw tuin? Dan wordt het een … ! Of wil je jouw tuin niet … veel veranderen? Tja. Je hebt geen tijd. … is het beter om geen dieren te kopen. Ik moet naar huis. Tot … !

Solutions: zo – zoo – zo – dus – zo

Did this help? Don’t forget to get Dutch tips in my newsletter.

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10 tips for expats learning Dutch

Learn the Dutch language from Belgium, also called Flemish

New in the Netherlands or Belgium? Willing to learn the Dutch language? Here are 10 tips for foreigners learning Dutch.

10 pro Dutch tips
  • Many people in the Netherlands and Belgium speak English. So as soon as they hear you’re not a native, they’ll switch to English or even another language. To avoid this, pretend you don’t know English. Or use a horrible accent when you’re answering. Success guaranteed!
  • Look around. Names of streets have meanings. Road signs too. For example, one of my students thought ‘herhaling’ meant end in English. He was also surprised he has so many speeding tickets. Turns out herhaling means repetition, and this for zones where you could only drive 30 km/h!
  • Dutch is one of the closest languages to English! So if you think you recognise a word, it might be the right translation!
      Writing during classes can help you a lot!
  • Libraries are free in Belgium and the Netherlands. Beginners can explore the kids’ sections and work their way up to fluent native level with novels.
  • Dutch or Flemish? Dutch (‘Nederlands’) is both countries’ official language, but Flemish (‘Vlaams’) is the dialect spoken in Belgium. Written, it’s 99% the same. Spoken, the accent is different. You can compare it to Brazilian Portuguese and the one spoken in Portugal.
Classes & courses
  • Dutch often combines different words. For instance, praten is to talk and groep means… group, you’ve guessed it. So a ‘praatgroep’ is a group where people talk. Easy!
  • Meeting Dutch people and Belgians can prove to be difficult. But why don’t you start with expat groups and work your way from there? Additionally, many cities have taalcafés. It’s an evening where languages are exchanged. Google the word taalcafé and your city or one nearby to find language exchange partners.
  • Another way to meet like-minded people is via evening classes. CVO courses are relatively cheap and you’ll find friends who share your struggles. Try to talk only in Dutch with the other students.
  • Working with Dutch-speaking colleagues? Ask them one word a day. That’s over 300 a year… And tons of funny conversations.
  • Last tip: join my Facebook group for Dutch learners, buy my online class for beginners and book some online language lessons with me ($10 extra)!

Also monthly tips to learn Dutch in my newsletter…