How long does it take to learn Dutch?  This is one of the most frequently asked questions from aspiring Dutch learners, but it has no definite answer. It depends on many things, such as your native language, educational background, experience with languages, exposure, and motivation. It also depends on what "learning Dutch" means to you: Are you hoping to achieve a beginner, intermediate, or advanced level? These are all different goals with different timeframes. But whatever level you wish to achieve, there are some great tools you can use to learn Dutch faster. In this article, you'll learn how to realistically estimate how long it will take to learn Dutch, depending on your background and the proficiency level you have in mind. Then,... Show more

Can you imagine going to a meeting in the Netherlands’ business world without having any idea about Dutch business customs? Or going into a formal situation and not knowing how to use the formal "you"? (Yes, it’s U, but do you know how to conjugate it?)  The business world varies from country to country, and even within a single country, there’s a big difference between the formal and informal worlds. So although you can handle yourself in the Netherlands in casual settings, you might need to study business Dutch phrases and get some useful tips on Dutch business etiquette before starting work there. Spare yourself all of the awkward situations by getting prepared with these thirty-two useful Dutch business phrases. In this guide,... Show more

Would you like to improve your Dutch while having fun? No, it’s not too good to be true.  Learning a language is more than just cramming endless vocabulary lists into your memory or picking your brain to understand those tricky Dutch grammar rules. To really learn Dutch, it’s crucial that you find ways to make learning more fun. If you enjoy learning, you’ll stay motivated. So what might be a fun Dutch learning method? As the title already gave away, you can have fun and learn Dutch online with YouTube.  Yes, YouTube is a great medium for improving your Dutch. There are several Dutch YouTube channels dedicated to teaching foreigners the language, and plenty more that you can watch just for fun and still pick up the language. And... Show more

Are fear and uncertainty keeping you from getting started with Dutch?  This is a common issue for many potential Dutch-learners. They tend to wonder things like: "Is Dutch hard to learn?" and "Is learning Dutch really worth it?"   If this sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’re going to answer all of your questions and clear up any doubts you may be having.  At first, Dutch might seem like a very difficult language, but it’s surprisingly easy for English- and German-speakers. Dutch has even been described as a combination of the English and German languages! This makes it one of the easiest languages to learn for speakers of either language. That said, learning Dutch will take some time and effort,... Show more

Are you afraid to make mistakes in Dutch? In your studies, you’re bound to make a few. And that’s no big deal!  Making mistakes is human, and even Dutch natives make some of the mistakes we’ll cover in this article. It’s through expressing yourself and making mistakes that you’ll really master the language. So making mistakes in the first place is no problem, but always try to learn from them! That said, wouldn't it be nice to be aware of some of the most common mistakes in learning Dutch?  This is exactly what DutchPod101 has in mind for you with this guide. Have a look at the ten most common Dutch mistakes and impress your new Dutch friends with your great language skills. Table of Contents Dutch Pronunciation Mistakes... Show more

Are you in the Netherlands, wanting to get to know some nice Dutch people, but you don’t know how? Making friends and getting to know people can be hard, especially when you’re in another country. Luckily, there’s an easy way to break the ice: asking questions in Dutch. This is a great way to start conversations—and keep them going.  Through asking questions, you’ll get to know your conversation partner, get personal, and maybe even become friends. And you’ll be able to practice your Dutch listening and speaking skills at the same time! In this guide, you’ll learn everything about asking questions in Dutch, from the Dutch question words to making yes/no questions. We’ll also introduce you to the ten most common Dutch questions and... Show more

Would you like to take an official Dutch language proficiency test? If that’s the case, wouldn’t you love to receive some handy tips and tricks to make sure you pass? If so, this guide will definitely come in handy. In the Netherlands, there are two official language proficiency tests: the NT2 Dutch as a Second Language State Exam (Staatsexamen NT2) and the Certificate Dutch as a Foreign Language (Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal, CNaVT). In this guide, we’ll only focus on the NT2 Dutch State Exam, as it’s the most common one they ask for when you’re looking for a job or applying for a university or school in the Netherlands.  We’ll go over everything you need to know about the NT2 Dutch language proficiency exam: what it is,... Show more

You asked, so we provided—easy-to-follow instructions on how to set up your electronic devices to write in Dutch! We’ll also give you a few excellent tips on how to use this keyboard, as well as some online and app alternatives if you prefer not to set up a Dutch keyboard. Table of Contents Why it’s Important to Learn to Type in Dutch Setting up Your Computer and Mobile Devices for Dutch How to Activate an Onscreen Keyboard on Your Computer How to Change the Language Settings to Dutch on Your Computer Activating the Dutch Keyboard on Your Mobile Phone and Tablet Dutch Keyboard Typing Tips How to Practice Typing Dutch 1. Why it’s Important to Learn to Type in Dutch Learning a new language is made so much easier when... Show more

Can You Really Learn Dutch Alone? Learning a language on your own or without traditional classroom instruction may seem quite daunting at first. What if you run into questions? How do you stay motivated and on track to achieving goals? Don’t worry, not only is it possible to learn Dutch or any language without traditional classroom instruction: DutchPod101 has created the world’s most advanced and extensive online language learning system. Not only is DutchPod101 specifically designed to help you with learning a language on your own, it’s actually faster, more convenient, and less expensive than traditional classroom options! Let’s look at some of the benefits of learning Dutch or any language alone. Also, don't forget to download... Show more

Yes, even beginners can quickly learn conversational Dutch well enough to carry on real conversations with native speakers. Of course, beginners won’t be able to carry a conversation the same way they could in their native language. But, just knowing a few tips like which questions to ask to keep a conversation going are all you need to speak and interact with real native speakers! But before we get to specific suggestions, let’s first take a closer look at how having real Dutch conversations is so vital to your mastery of the language. Learning to Carry a Conversation is Vital to Mastery of Any Language Communicating with other people is the very point of language and conversation is almost second nature in our native tongue. For... Show more