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10 Dutch language challenges for foreigners

Learn the Dutch language from Belgium, also called Flemish

Learning Dutch? Good choice! Dutch is one of the languages closest to English. Even if they’re pretty close, here are some typical mistakes foreigners make while learning the language.

In Dutch, ‘ik wil‘ means I want. Yes, that’s confusing. Especially since Dutch uses ‘ik ga’ or ‘ik zal’ for the future tense.

If you want to put a sentence in the negative, you’ll soon learn about niet and geen. So when do you use niet, and when geen? Simple: if you can replace the not by no, it’s geen. As in:
-He doesn’t have a phone (can be ‘he has no phone’, so geen).

When you’re using the comparative in English, you’re sometimes forced to use the word more. As in: more dangerous. However, in Dutch, you’ll always add -er.
-Gevaarlijker ( = more dangerous)

Talking about g’s: the pronunciation of the G is so difficult, there’s even a wikihow page dedicated to it!

Dutch pronunciation – tricky ©

Since we’re reviewing pronunciation, the ij, the uu, the eu and many other diphtongs can be tough to pronounce too.

Another tricky one is the translation of who. In a question, it’s wie. But if you use it as a replacement of ‘that’, it’s die.
-De man, die studeert, is mijn vader. ( = the man, who studies, is my father)

How do you say ‘to like‘ in Dutch? Whenever my students ask the question, I prepare for a sigh. Yes, you can use to love, which is less strong in Dutch. But it’s better to use ‘graag’, which you add to a verb.
-Ik werk graag. ( = I like to work)
-Hij heeft graag kinderen. ( = he likes kids)

The order of the different parts of a sentence is… well. Dutch. Subsentences have their own way of putting words and using words as while or because complicates matters. Here’s one little rule: when starting with time or place, use inversion.
-Hier werk ik. ( = here I work)
-Soms werk ik. ( = sometimes I work)

Another disturbance in the order of the sentence: separable verbs. Some verbs have a part that occasionally splits with the main part. Fun, huh? Oh yes, if you forget that little part, it can change the whole meaning of the sentence.
-Ik werk af. ( = I finish)
-Ik werk. ( = I work)

Which article do you use, de or het? There are some rules: persons use de and diminutives use het. But there are so many exceptions. Make sure to use the right article for words you use most.

Need more tips to learn Dutch? Get language lessons with me ($10 extra) and subscribe to my free newsletter.

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What to do in language group classes

One of the most popular ways to learn a language is through language classes. Even though there are many types, a group class can be the easiest (and cheapest) one.

A great start is to ask for a try-out. So you can check if you’re at the appropriate level, and if you like the teacher’s style as well as the pace.

Writing during classes can help you a lot!

At the end of the class, your teacher may give you homework. Make sure to always do it – some teachers even correct it for free! One tip: don’t do the homework just before or after class. The more you spread your learning, the better.

While you’re in class, be active! There are many ways you can learn much more during the lessons. Listen actively to the other students. Ask questions. Write down words your teacher used that are above your level and look them up afterwards. Or, even better, bring a dictionary. Or use a digital one on your smartphone.

If you’re scared to speak, remember all the other students are scared to speak too. You may want to ask questions to them to make sure they feel comfortable too. Learning involves making mistakes. And if you’re not making mistakes in class, where will you?

Talking about speaking: during breaks, start to speak the language you’re learning with your fellow students. They may want to take up the good habit of having a language partner.

If you have some sense of humor, use it. People will be more relaxed, you’ll be more relaxed, your teacher will be more relaxed. You don’t have to be funny all the time, but if you associate learning with fun, you’ll be looking forward to the next lesson.

Many teachers give extra resources. Check them out after doing your homework. The teachers will select the best ones for your level and your individual needs.

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Dutch numbers 1-100

Learn the Dutch language from Belgium, also called Flemish

Let’s see the Dutch numbers from 1 to 20 to start with. 0 is nul.

Check if you can recognise similarities between Dutch and English.

Dutch numbers
1-20

From fifteen to nineteen, notice it’s just five plus ten etc…

Let’s see how it goes further…

Dutch numbers
21-40

From here on, it’s just one to ten + en + 30 or 40 or 50. Don’t forget to put the ¨ on two and three. They’re there for the pronunciation.

41 to 60 in Flemish
41-60

Dutch 61-80
61-80

Numbers 81 to 100
81-100

One tip to practice the numbers: make calculations. For example 2 + 3 = 5. Or whenever you see a number in your neighbourhood, try to say it out loud.

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How to choose your type of language class

How do you choose language classes? Let’s take a look at the available options and start with the classic language school.

One of the most efficient ways to learn a language is by following classes at a language school or a language institute. These schools adapt to the needs of the student and use an individual approach. Many of them offer a wide range of language learning tools, like lessons at your home or company, own learning materials, phone lessons and e-learning platforms. Be ready to speak, as a good language school makes their students talk. One disadvantage: these classes are the most expensive type of classes. If you’re short on cash, ask for group classes.

people university
Many universities offer language classes ©

 

If you’d like to find a cheaper option, classes at universities or non-governmental organisations might be a good choice. Unlike language schools, their first goal isn’t earning money. Usually, their tools and services are more limited and the groups tend to be bigger. You probably won’t have too many choices when it comes to location, and the hours of the classes will be set in advance, so no canceling. Make sure to be active in class: ask questions, do your homework and talk to the teacher.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/160082970@N04/44112113312/

The cheapest

The cheapest option: group classes by the government. Even if they tend to be the least efficient, there are many reasons why you could follow them. If you don’t want to improve too quickly. Or if you want to meet fellow students. Or if you need to often skip classes. A limited number of locations. The groups are the biggest. The services are the most limited. And progress will move at the pace of the least capable learner. But these don’t need to be a disadvantage. As for universities, be active and participate.

One of the most diverse types of classes is given by individual language teachers. There are many teachers looking for students, both online and offline (I teach on italki.com and here’s $10 extra). Materials, prices, teaching methods, number of students in a class, progress, quality, and location all depend on the teacher. So make sure to agree in advance on the price, location, number of students and materials. Also, communicate what you’d like to do and where you’ll meet exactly. To find teachers, look for ads on websites like justlanded.com.

Tips
  • Always ask for recommendations from your local friends and colleagues. They might give you specific advice about the possibilities in your location.
  • Ask your teacher or language school if you can try the class just for one lesson. That way, you’ll quickly know what to expect. And you won’t be stuck in a class you’re not interested in.
  • Check if your company or organisation can get you discounts, or maybe even offer you language classes for free.
  • Find out where you can find Dutch language classes in Belgium and where you can follow Maltese language classes.
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Dutch language schools in Belgium

Learn the Dutch language from Belgium, also called Flemish

There are many Dutch language schools in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium. The following schools offer Dutch classes in more than one city:

Berlitz offers individual and group lessons in Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent. Teachers can also come to your home or office and teach your kids. E-learn platform present, telephone and Skype lessons available. Normal face-to-face classes start at around 55 euro per hour.

People following a class
Ready for Dutch classes? ©

Eurospeak gives Dutch private and group lessons in Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent as well as at your home and via call. E-learning environment also present. Normal prices start at 50 euro per hour.

Lerian Nti is located in Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent and also uses an e-learning environment. Phone and Skype lessons are also available. Prices upon request.

CVO, the Centre for Adult Education, offers many classes in too many locations in Flanders. A list of locations is here. One important advantage: normal group classes don’t cost more than a euro an hour.

Let’s see the language schools in the different cities.

In Ghent

The University of Ghent offers classes at all levels in many different groups. Prices depend on your status, e.g. students pay less. Full price is around 4 euro per hour. Private classes also available.

CVO offers extremely cheap group classes at around half a euro per hour. Mind you’ll get into groups coming from everywhere so progress may be slow.

Following classes in Het Perspectief is cheap too: only 1.5 euro per hour.

In Brussels

CLL is a non-profit organisation offering mainly group classes in Woluwe, Brussels. Both for kids and adults. The group lessons cost around 10 to 20 euro per hour. Private classes also available.

Callinter offers Dutch classes in Brussels in many ways: via Skype, via phone, via private and group classes. Kids can also follow lessons. Count around 15 to 20 euro an hour.

The Free University of Brussels or VUB offers group classes. Students can enroll from about 5 euro an hour. Others may enroll too.

The Europa Language School‘s prices start at around 40 euro an hour, transport to your home or company included. Up to 5 students per class.

notebook laptop
Writing during classes can help you a lot! ©

The CPAB gives group classes from 8 to 16 persons. This governmental agency’s prices are maximum around 2 euro per hour.

OpenContext specialises in 1-to-1 classes, but also offers group classes. Price around 50 euro per hour.

In the Amira Language School, group classes and individual classes are offered as well as to your home or company. Prices start at around 50 euro per hour.

Languages in Brussels is a non-governmental organisation offering one-to-one classes and group classes. Prices on demand.

In Antwerp

Hello Languages offers individual and group classes. Contact them for prices.

The University of Antwerp gives group classes on its campus. Intensive and immersion courses. Price: less than 10 euro per hour. Or less if you have a special status, like a student.

Cosmolingua has both group and individual classes. Individual lessons start at around 50 euro per hour, group classes at 30 per person. Possibility to come to your company.

Some extra tips…

Make sure to ask your company if they can get you a language class. If you’re working for a small company, they may get special discounts at official language schools (in Dutch: via the KMO-portefeuille). 

The Flemish government can help you finance your studies (in Dutch) under certain conditions. One important condition is that you worked for one year in the past two years in Belgium.

Don’t forget you can always find a private teacher online. I give Dutch lessons on italki and here’s $10 extra.

Spotted another language school? Let me know.

Disclaimer: prices may change.

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Where to find Maltese language lessons, teachers and courses

Learn the Maltese language to express yourself in Malta's official language

Where can you follow Maltese classes?

Many teachers and universities offer Maltese classes, as well as the Maltese government. Some are online, others are in classrooms. Here is a list of organisations and people offering Maltese lessons. Disclaimer: prices and locations may change.

Group classes in Malta

  • Malta’s government offers very cheap, 3-hour weekly classes for all levels located all around the islands as well as online. A whole year only costs around €35. Search for the keyword ‘Maltese’ here. Courses last from October till May. Conversation classes also available.
  • The University of Malta gives a course of 30 hours for groups of beginners, plus two follow-up courses in Lija (or online). They cost €250 each and start in August and October.
  • A Maltese teacher runs 6-weeks Skype courses from beginners until intermediate level, prices are around €20 per hour. Contact the teacher here. Individual lessons also possible.
  • MCast offers courses for beginners and advanced students in Paola. Check out their offers here under ‘search courses.’ One course costs €400 for 40 hours.

Private teachers in Malta and online

  • Italki sometimes has online teachers available. Here‘s $5 extra to study via Italki – I’ll get extra money to study too if you go for it.
  • Other private teachers are sometimes on Justlanded or in the Yellow Pages, but ask if anyone is available in this group too. Alternatively, contact this page.
  • International language school Berlitz might offer individual Maltese classes if you ask them.

Classes and lessons outside Malta

  • Series of group lessons by a Maltese teacher in London via this Facebook page.
  • The University of Bremen has a Malta-Centrum sometimes offering courses. Contact them for more information.
  • Group lessons for all levels organised by the Maltese Community Council of Victoria in Australia cost around €70 for 16 lessons of 2 hours. The Maltese Language School of NSW in Australia also offers online and offline classes.

Online Maltese video course

  • My online Maltese course for beginners is in Maltese. Check the previews and read the reviews so you can see how my students rated my course. Also check out my free general course and a verbs’ course.
  • Teleskola offers many shorter online video lessons to pupils, but they’re interesting to adults too. Check the videos from year 7 on for ‘Maltese as a foreign language.’

Spotted another course? Let me know!

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Websites translated from English to Maltese and Maltese to English

Learn the Maltese language to express yourself in Malta's official language

Where can you find texts translated from Maltese to English? Yes, finding decently translated articles or websites is hard. Let’s make it simpler for you by listing these good sources:

TVM

My favorite Maltese news website! All the content is translated into English, just click the logo above the articles to switch languages.

The people of Malta

Wonderful Facebook page. You will regularly find new stories about people living in Malta. Posts are first in Maltese and the English translation is below.

Malta’s government

All the websites of the Maltese government are in both Maltese and English. Switch to Maltese in the bar above. The ‘about Malta’ pages are interesting, not only because they’re in both languages. You’ll find cultural information too.

Wikipedia

Wikipedia is the internet’s free encyclopedia and is translated in many languages, including Maltese. This link will lead you every time you click it to another random page in Maltese. Click on the left below for the translations to English. The translations aren’t done word for word but you’ll understand the meaning.

The Bible

Malta is a Catholic country. It is said there’s a church for every day of the year (365!). So if you enjoy reading the bible, you can read it online on the website of Jehovah’s witnesses (note: I do not support their beliefs or actions, except putting the entire Bible online). It is very useful as the pages and sentences are numbered, so you can check in the English version what it means.

The European Union

Maltese is one of the official languages of the European Union. So many texts are translated into Malta’s language. Even their surveys are translated into Maltese! The section ‘dwar l-UE’ (about the EU) is interesting to read. The Commission’s representation also has some Maltese videos with English subtitles.

Spotted any other resources? Contact me here!

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Learn any language – by watching sports

Love to watch sports? Nice. But did you know you can learn languages at the same time?

You can start by watching your game on television with comments in the language you’re learning. It has many advantages:

  • When your team scores and the commentator shouts: ‘Goal, goal, goal!’, you’ll directly learn a new word.

Football on a green soccer pitch

  • Sports language is a good mix of interesting background and repetitive comments: pass and corner kick will always sound the same. So you’ll start to remember quickly.
  • How the commentator pronounces the name of the players shows the pronunciation of the language.
  • Some news channels give live written comments. So you can watch and read at the same time.

Is the game over? Time to practice what you’ve learned during the game. Head over to a news website and read the resume. Find the words you’ve learned and try to understand the meaning of the sentences.

Reading the resume will not only repeat the new words you’ve seen. You can also learn new expressions and new words. These expressions will come back in the next games you’re going to watch. You might even see words you’ve heard during the game but couldn’t understand.

If necessary, use an online dictionary. Especially if you see expressions and words commentators often use.

When you’ve read the resume, it’s time to step up your game. Many TV channels offer a video resume on their website. Watch it after the game. The commentator will explain in a few sentences what happened during the game.

These few sentences are usually at a higher level. The commentator has to squeeze all that happened in just a few lines. However, here are the advantages of watching the video:

  • you already know what happened
  • you can watch it again and again
  • you can re-read the written resume

Of course, you don’t need to follow each step. Feel free to read resumes of games you haven’t seen. But it’s a fun way of learning a language!

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Present continuous in the Dutch language: aan het

How do you say ‘I’m eating’ in Dutch? Or: I’m walking now? Yes, English speakers often use the present continuous: to be + verb + ing attached. But how do you use it in Dutch?

Simple:

  • Ik eet. (I’m eating)
  • Ik wandel nu. (I’m walking now)

Isn’t that the simple present? Yes.

Present continuous or not?

In Dutch, the present continuous isn’t used as often as in English. That’s why Dutch language teachers sometimes even forget to mention it. It is used to explicitly stress the verb.

When you use the present continuous, use to be + aan het + infinitive.

So if someone is calling you and you want to tell that person you’re eating and you’d like to diplomatically say you can’t speak for the moment, you can answer:

  • Ik ben aan het eten (I’m eating).

    a woman is reading and learning Dutch
    Ze is aan het lezen (she’s reading)

Or if you’re informing your son is walking, and he shouldn’t be disturbed:

  • Hij is aan het wandelen nu (He’s walking now).

And if you’re studying Dutch together (bonus points if you do) with some pals :

  • We zijn Nederlands aan het studeren nu (We’re studying Dutch now).

To ask a question with aan het, you can ask:

  • Wat ben je aan het doen? (What are you doing?)
  • Ik ben aan het dansen. (I’m dancing)

Note that the past continuous simply uses the past tense of to be:

  • Ik was aan het dansen (I was dancing).

Exercises

Translate the following with the present continuous:

  1. They are eating in the restaurant.
  2. We’re dancing outside now.
  3. What were you doing?
  4. I’m studying.
  5. What are you studying? (plural)

Solutions

  1. Ze zijn aan het eten in het restaurant.
  2. We zijn nu buiten aan het dansen.
  3. Wat was je aan het doen?
  4. Ik ben aan het studeren.
  5. Wat zijn jullie aan het studeren?