Learning some Dutch after moving to Belgium will make your everyday life so much easier. Especially when living in smaller towns. But which book will you pick to learn Dutch? There are hundreds of books available. Let’s break it down.
Buying a handbook
Many books are designed for use in the classroom, so make sure to ask which one to buy. Private schools may use the Contact series, many public schools in Belgium offer the Zo Gezegd series (Begin Vandaag in the Netherlands) while buying the course. Check out more handbook reviews here.
Not everyone has time for evening classes. Teach yourself books are definitely a handy alternative for learning on your own pace, usually with more online material to supplement your learning. They start from zero and gradually add new items to your learning. My preference goes to Teach Yourself: Complete Dutch. But there are plenty of alternatives.
Fun
Once you get a grip of the language, you’ll start exploring other options. Libraries offer a multitude of options, some even have dedicated book sections with easy Dutch stories. My preference goes to my own series of stories, written in easy Dutch and with plenty of cultural references. Different levels are available.
But Dutch can be a bit boring at times, with all the rules and exceptions piling up. If you’re looking at Grammar books, surely check out my grammar best-sellers. They compile all those issues you’ll have whilst learning Dutch, with examples and exercises. More grammar books can be found here.
Important
The most important is to find a book that suits your needs. Or why not two books?