So you’ve decided to start learning the beautiful language… Here are the four phases you’re going to go through – plus plenty of tips to enhance your learning.
Phase 1: what did I just…
Oh… they say Dutch is similar to English. So, you install Duolingo, the biggest language learning app. You enroll in some classes in Belgium or the Netherlands – or even in my well-reviewed online classes. But you just found out you don’t understand much of it. And it’s hard. Especially when watching the news, or when you hear natives talking. So what should you do?
Focus on key phrases, on your pronunciation, on the 100 most common words. Learn only from your textbook – for now. And write all the new vocabulary. The key here is to keep habits that work out for you, whatever they are. Learn what you need to learn: how to greet, how to introduce yourself, order in a pub or asking simple questions. Grammar? Present tense, numbers, modal verbs, comparatives, conjunctions, possessive, articles, pronouns future tense. And hold on.
Phase 2: I’m getting a hang of this
Well, well, well. You’re starting to feel comfortable in your class. You found out ‘stop’ means ‘stop’ – handy in traffic. You might have quit Duolingo – slim chances you’re going to tell someone the turtle is reading a newspaper. And if you dutchify your words, you might get away with it. Wine becomes wijn. But why do people always reply in English to you? And what’s the next step?
In this phase, focus on understanding small things as well as the 1000 most common words. Yes, that’s a lot – but they’re the ones you need to understand. Use as many words similar to English as you can. And start to communicate in the public space. Every time a Dutch native replies in Dutch, is a big win. And what about grammar? Buy my book (hint), the two main past tenses, reflexive and separable verbs, would, er and word order.
Phase 3: What? Why? Why? Why?
Why did anyone invent separable verbs? Is there a way out? You found out there wasn’t. Is Dutch word order so important? You found out is it. And why is everyone still replying in English? The answer’s simple: it’s easy to recognise a foreigner: accent and word order are main giveaways. And yes, you haven’t made a single friend in Dutch.
Remember struggle is good. If it’s easy, what’s the point? So persevere. Have conversations. Focus on the 2000 most common words. Read not too hard texts, like my book or Nedbox. Don’t aim too high. Write – all your new vocabulary. Write the words that have more than one meaning. Ask questions on social media groups. And grammar? Deepen the knowledge you already have. Think about word order before you speak. Focus on the passive, advanced conjunctions and as many subtleties as you can get.
Phase 4: We don’t say that
You’ve just summoned all your courage and used an advanced expression. The result: frowning eyebrows. ‘We don’t say that’. Obviously, you ask why. And the answer is: ‘I don’t know.’ Your teacher has to look it up. Don’t see it as a source of frustration. It’s actually really cool for a teacher to find out about these things. You’re improving. So use words with more than one meaning. Use expressions. Maybe it’s time to let go of group classes, focus on one-on-one teaching instead. Read the things natives read too, underline the things you don’t understand. Watch films and write down the words you don’t understand and ask about them in the classroom. Do a hobby in Dutch. Switch your phone to Dutch. And grammar? Well, you’ve studied it. So apply the grammar you’ve learnt.
