Learning Dutch as a beginner

[u/silentpassion1]

So I’ve started off with Busuu, I found it’s really helpful but I would like to go a bit more in depth. I’ve been looking into online courses but I don’t want to join a virtual classroom. I’m open to books and online courses, paid or not. I was considering TaalThuis as an option. I also use NPO to watch shows. Are there any sites or books you can suggest that will help me?

[u/jardonm]

Www.preply.com

[u/becausemommysaid]

Idk how much you care to be cost effective but IME it’s quite easy to get to around A2/B1 with self study if you’re willing to just grind it out in Busuu or Duo (Busuu is the better of the two for grammar and cultural context for sure, Duo exposes you to more words).

Of course if you find taking a course more motivating have at it! But be aware that info is very readily available for free or low cost.

If you are an absolute beginner (A0) there is really not much you can do to go wrong. Sure, some methods are more efficient than others, but at the start in particular what matters is what you will regularly use. If you won’t pick up a grammar book every day, it doesn’t make sense to buy one yet.

If you like Busuu, focus on that. There is no one magical course that will make it easier, it’s really just about choosing a method and sticking it out. Grind through Busuu. When you finish that you’ll have a better idea of how you like to learn and what your weak spots are with the language and you can focus on a program that address that.

[u/PinkPlasticPizza]

Resources for learning Dutch

Since the question 'where to start learning Dutch' is asked often, I have tried to summarise the information and resources here. Hope this helps.

●How long does it take to learn Dutch: It generally takes 600 to 800 hours to learn Dutch from a beginner level to a functional level (B2). The exact time depends heavily on several factors, such as your native language, your learning speed, the time you invest, and whether you live in a Dutch-speaking environment. Below is an overview of the estimated hours per level, according to most sources: * A1 (Beginner): Approximately 80 - 120 hours. At this level, you learn to introduce yourself, ask and understand simple questions, and grasp the basics. * A2 (Basic): Approximately 200 hours. With this, you can hold everyday conversations and exchange information on familiar topics. * B1 (Intermediate): Approximately 350 - 400 hours. At this level, you can give your opinion, describe experiences, and participate in conversations on various topics. * B2 (Independent): Approximately 600 - 800 hours. This is often seen as the level at which you can function independently in Dutch, both socially and professionally. From this point, you can understand complex texts and speak spontaneously and fluently. * C1 (Fluent): Approximately 700 - 1200 hours. At this level, you can understand long and complex texts and speak spontaneously and fluently without noticeably searching for words.

●De/het: In Dutch, there are two definite articles: de and het. Both mean "the". For example, het meisje ("the girl") but de kat ("the cat"). The reason that two definite articles exist is because Dutch, like many languages, has something called grammatical gender. This means nouns are assigned a "gender" – either masculine/feminine (de) or neuter/common (het). This has very little to do with our everyday concept of "gender", it's simply a linguistic feature. This means you simply have to memorise the correct article with each noun. Here is a website that explains some rules: https://understandingdutch.com/difference-between-de-and-het-dutch

●Sentence stucture: Some basics that cover most: https://zichtbaarnederlands.nl/en/syntax/word_order

●Apps • Duolingo: An app like Duolingo doesn't teach you grammar or sentence stucture. You will learn vocabulary, for sure. But after investing 500 days, you'll find out you cannot hold a decent conversation and you still don't know how the language works. •Busuu seems to explain grammar better. •de/het •taalpal: an app to practise Dutch with AI (+/- €30/jaar)

●Free content on YouTube: • Learn Dutch with Bart de Pau (has English subtitles) • Ad Appels • Juf M • Dutchies to be • Easy Dutch • Dutch Today • Learn Dutch with Kim • Slow Dutch with JeDutchy

●Tv: ▪︎Npo Start app (Dutch public broadcasting network) for new, documentaries, comedy, films in Dutch • Het Klokhuis on Youtube (aimed for kids/teens but is pretty interesting with relatively simple vocabulary.) • NOS Journaal in Makkelijke Taal on Youtube: world news in easy spoken Dutch • Het Jeugdjournaal (daily news for kids. Both on Npo Start app and Youtube) • Nederland van Boven on Youtube (aerial view of the Netherlands) • Rail Away on NPO Start app (follow different train tracks, with explanations in very clear spoken Dutch)

●Podcasts (all on Spotify): • Sterrin’s Dierenencyclopedie • Geschiedenis voor herbeginners • Een Beetje Nederlands • Sara’s Mysteries • Oorlezen de Podcast • Spooky Wooky • Zeg het in het Nederlands • Nieuws in Makkelijk Nederlands • Slow Dutch with JeDutchy

Here’s a website: https://dutchforchildren.nl/dutch-childrens-television-childrens-radio-podcasts/ that has more podcast recs for various age groups so you can find some that match your level if none of these suit you! A bunch more geared towards kids but there’s also a section for adults at the end.

●Dutch music: • 'België' by Het Goede Doel • 'Annabel' by Hans de Booij • 'Stiekem Gedanst' by Toontje Lager • 'Noodgeval' by Goldband • De Dijk • 'Oceaan' by Racoon • Doe Maar • 'Suzanne' by Vof De Kunst • Krang • André Manuel • Boudewijn de Groot • Pater Moeskroen • Spotify search for 'Nederpop' • De Taalstaat: playlist on spotify

●Dutch learning/grammar books • Nederlands in Zicht • Taal Compleet (If this is your first foreign language. It explains stuff in more steps, will be less overwhelming if this is your first time learning a new language. Has good e-learning as well.) • De Opmaat (Already have some experience with a second language? Quicker, bigger steps, so can be much if you're not used to grammatical terms. Also has decent e-learning, though not as good as TaalCompleet.) • Zichtbaar Nederlands • De Finale • De Sprong • De Juiste Toon • Nederlands naar Perfectie • 77 puntjes op de i • Essential Dutch Grammar by Henry R Stern • 201 Dutch Verbs by Henry R Stern *Basic Dutch, a grammar and workbook by Janneke A Oosterhoff

●Speaking: Best is to find a languagebuddy or join a 'taalcafe' in a local library. Here is a handy website to search for a volunteer or a taalcafe: www.hetbegintmettaal.nl

●Online dictionaries: *www.mijnwoordenboek.nl *www.wordreference.com/nlen/

●Handy websites: • dutchgrammar.com • oefenen.nl • zichtbaarnederlands.nl • heardutchhere.net • welklidwoord.nl • apps.ankiweb.net •https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/1209965766 • learndutch.org •https://understandingdutch.com/recommended-books-for-learning-dutch