Mastering Dutch doesn’t just happen in the classroom – it’s built in the moments you create for it outside your lessons. After all, practice makes perfect. But how do you expose yourself to the language and practice Dutch in daily life? Let’s find out!
Language acquisition extends beyond the boundaries of textbooks and structured lessons. Transitioning from the controlled environment of a classroom to real life, where (conversational) situations are often much more unpredictable, is essential. Yet, every student knows how difficult it is to step out of their comfort zone. Even those who are the star of the language class and seem to absorb new grammar and vocabulary effortlessly like a sponge can find the change challenging. But by immersing yourself in Dutch situations and practicing with authentic materials, you can bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world and grow your language skills and confidence.
We often hear the question “How much time should I spend learning Dutch every day?” And as you might expect, learning Dutch requires daily commitment and creativity. Fortunately, that does not mean hours of daily studying. A little inventiveness and ten free minutes can go a long way. Chances are, you’re not exactly sure how to go about it. On the other hand, you will also be surprised at how many seemingly meaningless activities can move you forward. Movies, cooking, hobbies, and household items, they can all be of help if you want to learn Dutch from home. In this blog, we’ll share tips to practice your Dutch in daily life and explain how a tutor can support your Dutch learning journey, inside and outside the classroom.
Before we move on to sharing the specific tips to practice Dutch, let’s briefly list the three key factors of language practice:
When you keep your learning activities fun and relevant, practice consistently and speak Dutch regularly in real life, you’ve set yourself up for long-term success. Now let’s take a closer look at each factor and the (sometimes surprising) options available to you.
We can’t say it often enough: consistency is key when learning Dutch (or any other language). Fortunately, that doesn’t mean you have to memorize a long list of words or learn new grammar every day. In one of our other blogs on the best ways to stay engaged when learning Dutch, you can read that regular, short study sessions are actually much more effective than occasionally hanging over your textbooks for hours at a time. Even the smallest practice habits can be meaningful. Research suggests that achieving fluency takes time more than anything else. The easier and more enjoyable you make your learning moments, the longer you’ll stick with it, and the faster you’ll reach your goals.
Chances are you know many of the programs in your home country really well. When you live abroad, it can be difficult to figure out what suits your interests and level. Sitting down for a program every time only to conclude that it’s not your cup of tea can give you the feeling you’re wasting your time, which can be quite frustrating. A tutor can be of great help here, by recommending personalized resources, such as podcasts or TV shows that match your interests and proficiency level. This will make your Dutch practice sessions more relevant and enjoyable.
Off to the next key factor of effective language practice: engaging in creative activities that are interesting and relevant to you. You don’t have to make it harder on yourself than necessary; many of the exercises can be done within the walls of your own home. Here are some creative tips to learn Dutch at home:
Are you taking Dutch classes with a tutor? Don’t hesitate to ask them for (even more) tips to learn Dutch at home. Thanks to their knowledge and years of experience, tutors can often provide you with useful recommendations. You could think of something simple as themes for expanding your vocabulary, tips on games and other materials you aren’t aware of, or role-playing scenarios to help you prepare for real-life interactions.
Speaking Dutch regularly is essential for improving fluency. But what are good conversation topics to learn Dutch? And how can you find someone to speak Dutch with? You have several opportunities, for example:
Do the options above still feel like a bridge too far? Then try speaking Dutch to yourself first. Say what you are doing out loud in Dutch, or talk briefly about how your day was. You will automatically run into words and sentence structures that are unfamiliar to you and discover what you need to work on. And do you have a pet? We’re pretty sure Lola, Cooper and Bella would love to listen to you talk about your day with them. They’re all (floppy) ears, so give it a try!
We would be lying if we said we don’t hear this ‘complaint’ almost daily. When speaking Dutch to a native Dutch speaker, many language learners notice that Dutch people switch to English. While they usually do this to help you, learners often experience it as the exact opposite; completely unhelpful and frustrating. In that case, don’t hesitate to politely remind them. For example, by saying:
“Ik leer Nederlands. Ik wil graag oefenen.” (I’m learning Dutch. I want to practice)
“Ik wil graag Nederlands spreken.” (I want to speak Dutch please)
“Kunnen we Nederlands spreken? Ik wil de taal leren.” (Can we speak Dutch? I want to learn the language)
Do you also find it too exciting to speak Dutch with a native? Dutch Ready has developed a handy learning tool to help you prepare optimally for conversations you will encounter in everyday life. Our Praatgraag dialogues consist of natural speech (instead of rigid textbook sentences), contain fill-in options so you can practice improvising, and each chapter features a handy vocabulary list including questions and answers you’ll often hear in the specific situation. In addition to a combination bundle, levels A1 and A2 are also available separately.
Practicing language skills becomes more rewarding when the content is immediately useful. Think of it as a kind of sugar high (but without the dip that usually follows). For example, create a vocabulary list and practice specific phrases if you’re preparing for a doctor’s appointment. Such a list could look like this:
By learning the words and phrases in intervals using the spaced repetition strategy, you put them into your memory as solidly as possible. So don’t make your vocab list last minute, but instead allow yourself time to learn the words so that you won’t need a cheat sheet when you actually want to speak.
Fun and relevant practice are extremely important if you want to sustain learning a language. But that’s not the only thing. There are times when our motivation needs an extra boost. After all, we are only human. That’s why we’ll give you some more tips below that you can apply during those times when it’s a little harder to get yourself out of the starting blocks.
Many think of a tutor primarily in terms of the teaching role. But a tutor also acts as that ‘stick behind the door’ we spoke about earlier when you experience a dip in your motivation. They will regularly gauge how things are going and encourage you to continue to learn Dutch at home.
Are you taking Dutch classes at Dutch Ready? Then you’ll always work with a tutor that suits you as a person. We make that match based on an intake with you and a trial lesson with the tutor we carefully select after that interview. This means that you are not just assigned to someone, but can indicate whether you feel comfortable with them. Your tutor is aware of your goals, strengths and weaknesses and knows how to create an optimally safe learning environment for you in which you can thrive and get the most out of yourself.
Are you looking for tips to practice Dutch in daily life? To ensure steady progress outside the classroom, it’s important to recognize and avoid common pitfalls. Below, we listed some language learning challenges and how to overcome them:
Challenge | Solution |
Lack of consistency | Try to establish a routine and, if necessary, set reminders for study sessions. |
Unrealistic expectations | Speaking fluent Dutch after 3 months of lessons? There is only 1 word for that: impossible. Instead, work with smaller goals and focus on small wins instead of perfection. |
Waiting for the perfect studying conditions | Especially if you’re a perfectionist, you’ll recognize the tendency to always look for the perfect moment to sit down and study, study, study as hard as you can. But in busy everyday life, hardly anyone has time for that. Choose to practice whenever and wherever you can, even if it’s just a few minutes. |
Over-focusing on grammar | Grammar is necessary to express yourself intelligibly, but it is not the only aspect. Again, let go of perfection and alternate with learning activities such as speaking, reading*, and listening. |
Fear of making mistakes | Always remember that mistakes are a natural part of learning and are even necessary in order to progress. Want to know more about how to tackle fear of making mistakes when learning a language? Then read our blog article on that subject here. |
Practicing Dutch in daily life is a vital part of building fluency. Hopefully we were able to get you started with the mentioned tips above. A Dutch tutor is not just there for the weekly language lesson, but can act as your sidekick, pointing out areas for improvement and suggesting personalized activities that suit your goals, but also keeping you inspired and motivated to learn Dutch at home. With consistent effort, the right strategies, and supportive guidance, your Dutch skills will thrive.
Ready to take the next step? Book a trial lesson Dutch with Dutch Ready to meet a tutor who fits your learning style, discuss your goals, and take your first or next step toward fluency!
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