Why Learning Dutch Will Help You Thrive, Not Just Survive

The Netherlands has some of the world’s highest English proficiency among non-native speakers.
Up to 95% of the Dutch population speaks English to conversational level. In many of the cities in the west of the country, like Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam, public service announcements are made in both Dutch and English.

If you want to see a film in the cinema, it most likely will be in English with Dutch subtitles. Businesses have advertisements in both Dutch and English, restaurants have the English translation on their menu. You can set up a phone contract, arrange your housing and accommodation and find a job all without using a single word of Dutch.

For those who have just moved and are beginning to settle into their life in The Netherlands, the use of English seems to make the process smoother. It provides some comfort and stability when it comes to many English speakers. It leads to the question of ‘do I really need to learn Dutch?’. So many expats and immigrants seem to fall into this trap of not learning Dutch for many different reasons. However, whilst you can survive in The Netherlands speaking English, it also can limit you when it comes to really thriving.

The “English Bubble” and Isolation From Dutch Community.

Leaving the comfort zone of the English-speaking ‘bubble’ can seem intimidating. The Dutch pronunciation and getting the more guttural G sound right feels impossible at first. Attempts to speak in basic Dutch to shop workers are met with an instant switch to English. On the surface, it seems to give the idea that speaking Dutch is something that Dutch only do at home and with their families, and that English may even be their preferred language of communication. The reality is that it’s more than likely a switch because the Dutch value efficiency, and efficiency means communicating in a language you both understand to a high level. 

Many expats and immigrants are able to make friends and build their own communities using English. However it can make it harder when it comes to connecting and making Dutch friends. Like many who speak English as a second language, many Dutch find it harder to express themselves in English. It can also create language barriers when it comes to integration into the local community, especially in areas with older residents who may not be as confident or speak English as well as many younger people. 

There are also elements of a culture shock, as many jobs and academic courses can seem to promote The Netherlands as being ‘English speaking’ or that you don’t need to learn Dutch. Whilst there are of course elements of truth in this, for students speaking Dutch can completely change the student experience. Students who speak both Dutch and English are able to enjoy student nightlife in both languages, make friends across different courses and have access to more courses. Within the workplace, speaking Dutch can make it easier to connect with colleagues and be involved with workplace chats. When you’re unable to understand the water-cooler conversations, it can lead to beginning to feel isolated and excluded. 

Another problem with only speaking English is that it limits you in terms of your location. As there is currently a housing crisis, it means more and more people find themselves commuting to work and school from neighbouring towns and villages. Outside of the more populous areas like the Randstad and university cities, English is spoken less and less frequently. A lack of Dutch can make communication with neighbours and access to local services more difficult. 

The Invisible Costs of the “English Bubble”

On a slightly more serious note, Dutch is the official language of The Netherlands and so most legal proceedings, contracts and official documents will be in Dutch. Within certain careers such as teaching and medical professions, Dutch is required to a specific level. By staying within the “English bubble”, it often puts you at a disadvantage when it comes to legally binding documents, tax certifications and any other proceedings that need some sort of legal input.

Most gemeente’s or local governments use Dutch as their official language. This also means that whilst English translations will be available, these are not the official documents. This is something that’s also often seen with rental contracts and job contracts. Whilst the contracts may provide an English translation, it is the Dutch version that remains the legally binding version whilst you are in The Netherlands. 

Other official bodies that operate solely in Dutch include the Belastingdienst or tax authority. Their official communication is in Dutch, and they use Dutch on their website. When you file your taxes, making a mistake can lead to a fine and some of these fines can be over a thousand euros. You also apply online for things such as the Huurtoeslag and toeslag credits through the tax authority. These credits can be used to offset the cost of housing and health insurance. Filling out their applications incorrectly can lead to fines, or being underpaid money you are entitled too. 

Other bodies that operate in Dutch only include student finance through DUO, correspondence from health insurance and health care providers, monthly bills for things like a Nederlandse Spoorwegen transport subscription, monthly bills for utilities, smaller local problems like planned street closures or building work and even some government websites aimed at helping you to understand your rights and Dutch law only are provided in Dutch, and not English.

Why You Should Learn Dutch and Burst The “English Bubble”

Outside of the bureaucracy, even for those who live within largely English speaking communities, Dutch plays a role in everyday life. Trips to the supermarket, travelling to work on the tram, going out for dinner; they all will expose you to the Dutch language. Having a basic understanding of Dutch makes it easier when you need to ask if an item is in stock, there are transport delays or you need to inquire about an allergen. There are of course other practical reasons to learn Dutch, such as it becoming easier to find housing in a highly competitive housing market. This is partly because many native Dutch speakers looking for roommates prefer to speak Dutch at home.

Bursting the bubble helps with integration into Dutch society. Non-EU citizens who wish to stay in The Netherlands long-term need to complete the inburgering or civic integration exams. These exams are part of the process to obtain Dutch citizenship. The level of spoken Dutch they currently require is B1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Whilst EU citizens don’t need to do these exams, it gives a good idea of the level of Dutch to aim for to become conversational or integrated into Dutch society.

Speaking Dutch opens up so many different ways to connect to the local community. Especially in smaller towns and more rural communities, many community events don’t have an English speaking option. It allows for participation in more events, especially with more niche hobbies and sports where there may not be enough interest to also run an English speaking class. Being able to participate is important not just for your individual mental health, but also as a great way to meet new people, make friends and build your own community. 

In terms of your career, learning Dutch opens up many more opportunities. Even amongst jobs where English is the working language, high competition often sees Dutch-speaking employees selected over those who do not speak it. As mentioned earlier, for some career paths Dutch is required.

For teaching in primary schools, B2 or C1 is required. For vocational and secondary schools this is less strict, however being able to communicate clearly in Dutch with colleagues and pupils is required. The only exception is teaching in the international schools who use English as a language of instruction, however these positions are often hard to find. To work within the medical field, the minimum language requirement is B1 for nurses, up to B2+ for doctors, dentists and pharmacists. 

Within the workplace, understanding Dutch helps to contribute towards the workplace culture too. Understanding Dutch helps with the smaller interactions, as well as understanding workplace culture. It allows team members to bond over their daily life and the weird and wonderful things happening outside of work. It also helps with integration into the culture that includes a more direct style of communicating, and Vrijmibo or Friday afternoon drinks. 

How Do You Start Learning Dutch?

Whilst it can be daunting at first, there are many resources available for those who wish to learn Dutch. Engaging in conversation with Dutch speakers for practice can feel difficult and awkward. The switching to English can feel discouraging, especially for new learners. But for the Dutch, the switch to English is meant to be a polite way to continue conversation efficiently rather than an attempt at shutting you out from the Dutch language. It can take a little bit of perseverance, but for native and fluent English speakers, Dutch can be one of the easier languages to learn.

Efficiency is part of Dutch culture, and it’s part of the culture shock that’s often experienced. How To Adjust To A New Culture is a great guide that gives some excellent tips for managing it. Once you settle in, and adjust to the Dutch way of life, learning the language becomes a natural next step.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Most Dutch speakers appreciate the effort taken to learn the language, and are even willing to offer advice and to help as much as they can. Some will even make sure to reply in Dutch, rather than English. Reach out and ask native speakers how to pronounce words or how to say certain phrases. Letting others know you’re learning always seems to be met with some genuine offers, or Dutch speakers will become less likely to swap to English when you speak to them. 

There are many different resources to help with learning Dutch. The 7 Effective Ways to Learn a New Language also helps to give some more general resources.

Dutch Taalcafé’s
Pay a visit to your local library to see what times they run their free taalcafé’s, which are there to help practice spoken and written Dutch with other learners and native speakers. Different libraries run their taalcafé’s at different times, and some may run them more than once a week. You may also find similar conversation groups to the taalcafés that run independently in different community locations too, like local cafés and bookshops. The library staff should be able to point you in the right direction, as many libraries also have information about what’s on in the local area. 

Free local Dutch courses
many gemeente’s run free Dutch classes, or have information on local programs that run these courses. However, demand for them is high, and there can be long waiting lists so make sure that you put your name down early if you wish to use them! Some universities, such as the University of Groningen, also offer free Dutch courses for beginners.

Paid Dutch University Courses
Most Dutch universities offer similar courses through their language centres. Erasmus University Rotterdam, Leiden University, University of Amsterdam, University of Groningen, Technical University of Delft  and Tilburg University are just a few of the universities that offer beginner and up Dutch courses. Some universities, such as Tilburg University and Technical University of Delft offer intensive Dutch courses which have a full time work-load over a short amount of time.

Other universities like Erasmus University Rotterdam and University of Groningen offer specific Dutch courses for native German speakers or for medical professionals. Whilst these courses are not free and can be expensive, most universities do offer a discount for existing students and staff members. You do not need to be enrolled at the university as a student to join a Dutch language course with them

Taal Institutes or Dutch private language schools
There are many different ones depending on where you live, and they can run different levels or types of courses much like the university. Different taal institutes will use different language learning methods and offer different class types. Some will use the Delft language learning method, whilst others use more traditional language learning methods. Most of these private institutions will also offer one to one classes or group classes, and in person or online learning. The costs vary, with more intensive courses being more expensive than the less intensive courses. 

Private Dutch tutor
It’s also possible to look into private tuition outside of the language schools. There are many online platforms that provide access to paid language tutors that include the Dutch language, just be careful to make sure that your online tutor is a real person!

You can also check the advertising boards in local supermarkets and community spaces like the libraries, and even put up an advert yourself looking for a tutor. Some people are also happy to give some tutoring as part of a skill swap, so if you speak another language, play guitar, bake incredible cakes or have any cool and useful skills you can always see if there’s anyone who’s willing to do a skill swap to help you learn. 

Dutch language learning books
Books such as the ‘DK Hugo Dutch In 3 Months’, ‘Routeledge Intensive Dutch Course’, ‘Basic Dutch: A Grammar and Workbook‘ by Jenneke Oosterhoff and ‘Learn Dutch Fast With Slow Dutch’ by Linde Pool are just some of the many Dutch language books recommended for beginners and new learners. Combining what you learn in the books with free resources like the taalcafé’s mentioned earlier is a great way to improve your Dutch skills as many books don’t include additional resources for listening and speaking Dutch. Other books that can help with learning Dutch!

Language learning apps
Apps like ‘Duolingo’, ‘Drops’, ‘Memrise’ and ‘Babbel’ can also be beneficial especially when it comes to learning the basics of Dutch. However there are some drawbacks, which is that often these apps don’t teach the need to know words quickly enough.

You can be stuck on phrases such as ‘Zie eten de appel’ and ‘De meisje drinken de melk’ when what you really want to know how to say is ‘Where is the train station?’, ‘Can I have a mocha with oat milk?’ and ‘Get out of the bike lane!’ They can provide a good basic introduction to the language, and a good revision technique if you’re also learning using other resources too. Most apps do offer free versions, however most do require a subscription to unlock all content.

Immersion in the Dutch language
Immersion doesn’t just mean only using Dutch, but things such as using Dutch subtitles, watching TV shows in Dutch, changing the language of apps in your phone to Dutch and other small things in your daily life can also help with learning the language too.

Whilst it may be a more passive way to learn, after a while you begin to understand the subtitles when you re-watch your favourite comfort show or figure out the indirect translation. Most English language TV shows and films opt for Dutch subtitles rather than Dutch dubbing, but some streaming providers also have Dutch language content. Many children’s TV programs are available in Dutch, and this can help with learning pronunciation, grammar and the foundation of reading and writing skills.

Ik Spreek Beetje Nederlands!

You’ll find yourself becoming immersed in Dutch culture and the Dutch way of life before you know it. You’ll become an expert cyclist, know the best spots for oliebollen and always make sure you send out a tikkie to those who owe you money. So why not learn the language too? It provides such a deeper connection to a country with such a rich history and culture. 

Being able to do at least the very basics in Dutch can make a huge difference to your lived experience in The Netherlands. Instead of using English to survive, even just een beetje (a little) Dutch can see you begin to thrive.