search theThe best online Dutch courseDo you learn the language?
Dutch is becoming more popular as more course options are released.
In addition to tourism andjobs in foreign languages, the benefits of speaking Dutch cannot be overstated.
Today I'll give you my rundown of the best (and worst) Dutch courses online.
Below you will find the pros and cons of each Dutch course, prices and an overview. If necessary, I will link to an evaluation of the course.
Index
- HolandésPod101
- Italian
- Memrise
- assimilate
- transparent language
- Speak
- monthly
- pimsleur
- michael tomas
- manga languages
- Gloss
- Duolingo
- Chat
- Dutch FSI
IMPORTANT: Some of the items listed below are probably only roughly defined as Dutch "courses". The reason I included them is because they are very popular Dutch tools, so they should be included.
DISCLAIMER: The following comments are personal.opinionsand some affiliate links are used.
Best Online Dutch Courses (Most Popular Dutch Resources)
1.HolandésPod101
Cost:Starts as low as $4 per month.
Summary:DutchPod101 is an excellent online resource for learning the Dutch language (especially listening comprehension). If you especially like learning podcasts, this might be the course for you.
DutchPod101 uses podcast-like audio lessons. The courses are suitable for beginners and advanced. The lessons include not only listening comprehension, but also important vocabulary and grammar with many other useful features.
What I like:
- Wide range of ever-growing Dutch teaching material
- Clean class interface and downloadable content
What I do not like:
- Content options are slim beyond the beginner level.
- have fun in english
- While the lesson interface is nice, the rest of the site is overwhelming and confusing to navigate.
UNIQUE OFFER: Use the codeGOLDEN MEANto save 25% on one of your Dutch courses.
Ver DutchPod101
2.Italian
Cost:prices vary a lot
Summary:italki connects students with tutors, teachers and interlocutors. As with similar services, this is not a curriculum or content for instructors, it just makes it easier.
The beauty of italki is the proven teacher onboarding process that ensures quality. italki has earned its incredible reputation.
Teachers succeed on italki thanks to customer feedback, which means underperforming teachers simply don't make it to the platform.
What I like:
- It allows great connections with experienced teachers.
What I do not like:
- Not having a set curriculum means you could be matched with a new, inexperienced teacher who hasn't yet been eliminated through the italki rating system.
see italki
3. Memrise
Cost:Buch
Summary:Memrise has moved its free "Community" courses to a website called "Memrisesome time ago while still running a premium subscription on the original memrise site.
From what I can see, Memrise is identical to what Memrise used to offer.
Memrise are 100% free courses added by the community (Dutch and others) in the form of a gamified deck of cards. You choose a language or dialect (there are severaldutch dialectsbtw), then make a set of "plant watering" cards. It is addictive and quite effective.
Some courses are great, but not all courses are good. look for those whoinclude audioand those that teach phrases instead of single words.
Watch my video on how to download Memrise for Anki.
What I like:
- It is an effective tool for memorizing phrases and words.
- The addictive nature of the game will keep you coming back to learn more.
- Everything is free.
- There are many community oriented courses to choose from.
What I do not like:
- As it is community driven, it is not always possible to guarantee quality.
4. Assimil (Dutch fluently)
Cost:prices vary a lot
Summary:The Assimil method is old and outdated, and its "two-wave" approach is of little value given current trends in second language learning (although it focuses on patterns rather than grammar practice). However, Assimil's dialogues are extremely useful.
What I like:
- high quality dialogues
- Perfectly organized audio library
- very huggable
What I do not like:
- translation-based
- It does not appear to be supported by research or case studies.
- Unusual and strange situational problems.
5. Transparent language
Cost:the price varies
Summary:Transparent is one of the most amazing online Dutch courses I've tried.
The system and interface are dated and slow, which is a real drawback, but if you can get past it, Transparent Language offers real depth of Dutch course content.
Speech recognition matching does not exist in transparent language. It is based on recording your voice and displays your sound wave for comparison with the native speaker's sound wave.
No built-in system to automatically compare sounds.
The Transparent Language course has a “Produce. It says." Section that literally asks "Were you right?".
In other words, there is no way to automatically know if you were right or wrong, it depends on your own determination. This is incredibly outdated.
All in all, if you can get past the outdated design and clunky look of the voice recording, Transparent Language Dutch is a great course choice.
What I like:
- The Dutch dialogue is 100% natural.
- Wide range and depth of content.
What I do not like:
- Outdated and slow user interface that is difficult to navigate
- Pronunciation panel does not have built-in speech recognition to compare with native dialog
6. Talk
Cost:$4.99 per month per language, $9.99 for all 140 languages, $99.99 per lifetime subscription
Summary:Essentially a fancy flashcard app, uTalk is an alternative to Memrise and a great way to learn words and phrases in hundreds of different languages.
There are thousands of possible language pair combinations and tons of native speaker audio recordings with image associations.
What I like:
- Authentic audio from native speakers
- Hundreds of languages available
- Thousands of possible language combinations
- Easy access
What I do not like:
- sloppy user interface
- the games are mediocre
- Broad approach not tailored to specific languages
See uTalk
7. Dutch Monthly
Cost:From $9.99/mes.
Summary:Mondly offers courses in several different languages, including Dutch, and is similar in style to Duolingo and Babbel. There are even references to Rosetta Stone in his delivery.
It is a well-designed and fun web application for browsing Dutch course content.
Some of the language courses are not that good (eg Arabic), but Dutch and others are very good.
What I like:
- Beautifully designed app and web interface make it a joy to use
- Clear and easy progress in Dutch lessons
- AFFORDABLE
What I do not like:
- Linear learning path
- Quite repetitive and monotonous.
watch thismonthly ratingLearn more.
very monthly
8. Dutch Pimsleur
Cost:Subscription for $14.95 per month (or $119.95 per level)
Summary:Pimsleur is a household name for learning the Dutch language with repeated callbacks. The classes focus on practical vocabulary and expressions that may be necessary in different scenarios. This includes greetings, common phrases, and vocabulary you may need when speaking with native speakers.
In terms of how much you get, I'd say Pimsleur is a good entry point into Dutch, but it will only get you up to speed on the basics. Treat your Dutch course as a basic course and then move on to something more comprehensive.
Pimsleur does not offer video or written content. It's audio only.
read thisPimsleur Review.
What I like:
- Pimsleur relied on solid research on second language acquisition.
- Extremely effective method despite its age.
- Strong repetition of examples in Dutch.
What I do not like:
- Examples of legacy scenarios.
- too much english
far pimsleur
9. Michel Thomas Hollander
Cost:Ab 11.99 US dollar
Summary:I reviewed Michel Thomas extensively not long ago and ended up with almost nothing positive to say about the course (both levels). In my opinion, the Michel Thomas method (for all languages including Dutch) is spotty and defies current SLA research.
I upset the MT fanbase by saying that (recentlyshared my theorywhy are they so defensive).
The basic premise of Michel Thomas is that you relax like a client in a psychologist's chair and let the teacher control your learning. They are told: “Never try to learn”, without memorization, without external practice, without student responsibility.
Michel Thomas teachers guide students to correct all their mistakesthere is no place.
There is no Dutch listening training or opportunities to speak naturally during the sessions.
Overall, Michel Thomas can be a useful primer (some languages seem a bit better than others), but I wouldn't recommend this course to anyone.
Lee dispute meReview by Michel Thomas.
What I like:
- Michel Thomas does a good job detailing and explaining difficult concepts in Dutch.
- To some extent, TM teaches students to learn "lexical chunks" through explicit grammar rules.
What I do not like:
- Teacher-directed learning has proven to be an ineffective strategy by SLA researchers.
- Michel Thomas teaches zero Dutch listening comprehension and no opportunity for natural conversation practice.
- The course teaches youoneDutch, but does not teach Dutch.
- too much english
- The celebrity endorsements and complete lack of research on Michel Thomas are big red flags for me.
10. Sleeve tongues
Cost:$7.99 per month
Summary:Mango Languages implemented what I consider to be one of the best 'chunking' approaches to their course style that I have seen (very close to my own successful method). It does this by avoiding Dutch grammar explanations and color-coding lexical blocks to help you learn speech patterns.
One of the best features I've seen in a language product. Period.
The only problem with the handle is that it is quite light in its depth of stroke. If they developed an advanced Dutch course I would be a big fan.
What I like:
- Beautifully designed Dutch course
- It focuses on lexical blocks (colour-coded) instead of rules, which is my favorite way to learn.
What I do not like:
- minimal grammar approach
- Lack of depth of content for higher level learners.
11dutch glossika
Cost:$30 per month.
Summary:I am a big fan of the Glossika series.
Glossika is one of the most unique language products available and, in my opinion, one of the few that uses a natural, research-based method. In fact, the Glossika method is very similar to how I have personally learned Dutch and have had tremendous success with it.
Glossika focuses on a high repetition of lexical blocks; in other words, listening to a sequence of sentences at a natural pace and repeating them over and over again.
It is by far the most effective Dutch listening trainer, requiring little more than listening/replaying the audio on a daily basis.
see that massivelyglossika reviewand interview that I put together.
What I like:
- In my opinion, one of the truly most unique and effective methods out there.
- I personally have had tremendous success with Glossika for Dutch (and Russian).
- It focuses on the intense repetition of blocks of natural language.
What I do not like:
- Difficult concept to understand for new learners of Dutch.
- The natural approach, which requires a lot of repetition, may seem boring to some people.
- Slightly more expensive monthly subscription.
See Dutch Glosika
12. Dutch Duolingo
Cost:Buch.
Summary:Duolingo has become a staple for many language students: a completely free household name that rivals established companies like Babbel and Rosetta Stone.
Personally, I've never liked Duolingo, and I think it's an overrated truism that offers little value other than being an addictive distraction and a real learning delay. People go through entire courses on the Duolingo platform and walk away with little more than a cartoon trophy.
The Dutch course can be useful to start with, but I think there are better ways to spend your student days.
watch thisDuolingo Reviewor look at mineDuolingo and Babbel Comparison.
What I like:
- Free to use.
- Entertaining leisure activity between actual study periods.
- Appealing to young people and those just trying Dutch before opting for a paid feature.
What I do not like:
- Boring and repetitive point-and-click responses are easily predictable.
- Addictive gamification that seems productive but is actually a waste of time.
13. Dutch Babel
Cost:Subscriptions start at $12.95/month.
Summary:One of the best and most popular Dutch courses online, Babbel is a great tool for learning the language and very cheap. Babbel's online platform for Dutch courses focuses on reading, writing, listening and spelling. The goal is to give you all the tools you need to start learning the language right away. It is often described as a more professional, paid alternative to Duolingo (see below).
Read this in detailbabble review.
What I like:
- Flexibility and variety in your teaching style.
- Includes several different learning styles to teach Dutch effectively
- Developed by in-house linguists
What I do not like:
- uninteresting course
- No downloadable material
See Dutch Babel
14. Dutch FSI
Cost:Buch
Summary:The FSI (Foreign Service Institute) is a government institution that trains diplomats and government officials in foreign languages. It offers Dutch online for free (including audio recordings) along with many other languages.
The problem with FSI material is that it has literally been around for almost a century.
Is old.
So while you can download the complete Dutch course with audio for free, you should be aware that the material is literally photocopied exercise books that have been typed on typewriters, making them almost unreadable.
There is some value in the FSI courses if you're patient, but it's so old that I personally wouldn't bother.
What I like:
- As a US government agency that trains diplomats, FSI naturally has an incredible depth of Dutch courses.
- Free and easy to download lesson + audio from various sites (the link below is the easiest to access).
What I do not like:
- archaic course.
- The PDF material is still just a photocopy of the original typescript, so it's horrible to read.
Summary: The best online Dutch courses
That pretty much sums up all the online Dutch course options currently available (if I missed any, let me know!).
In addition to a Dutch course, practice Dutch regularly with native speakers.
For this reason,ItalianIt's the easiest way to find really cheap practice partners and tutors.
Just remember that even if you take all the courses on this list, you will fail Dutch without the right motivation, and even a poor Dutch course can be effective in the hands of someone with the right determination to succeed. .
For tips on how to learn Dutch and overcome various language learning difficulties, sign up to join the guild below (choose Dutch as your target language).
Do you know of a Dutch course that I haven't mentioned?
Share below in the comments section.
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FAQs
What is the best and fastest way to learn Dutch? ›
The easiest way to learn Dutch is to use language learning apps and practice with native speakers. Apps like italki can connect you with Dutch tutors around the world, and apps like Babbel and Pimsleur can teach you to speak the language quickly from your home.
Is it possible to learn Dutch in 3 months? ›Learning Dutch has never been so easy! Learn to speak Dutch in just three months with this practical and comprehensive self-study language course. Whether you're a complete beginner or wanting to refresh your knowledge, Hugo: Dutch in Three Months will have you speaking Dutch fluently in just 12 weeks.
What is the best Dutch language course? ›Babbel Dutch
Summary: One of the best and most well-known online Dutch courses, Babbel, is a great tool for learning the language and very budget friendly. Babbel's online Dutch course platform focuses on writing and reading, listening and spelling.
- 1 Deciding. The first obstacle is a mean one. ...
- 2 Finding Time. If you are like most people, then probably you have to work. ...
- 3 Pronunciation. ...
- 4 Words often have more than one meaning. ...
- 5 Dealing with pictures. ...
- 6 Anacondawords. ...
- 7 Order in the sentence. ...
- 8 The past tense.
3. How hard is it to learn? Dutch is probably the easiest language to learn for English speakers as it positions itself somewhere between German and English.
Is Dutch hard to learn for Americans? ›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.
What is the easiest language to learn if you know Dutch? ›Afrikaans – the easiest language to learn for both English and Dutch speakers. Afrikaans, the same as English, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish, is a Germanic language.
What level of Dutch is fluent? ›Your Dutch writings are clear, well structured and detailed even about complex subjects. C2. Bilingual level : You are speaking Dutch fluently.
What makes Dutch hard to learn? ›The Dutch language has many irregular verbs. There are 200 irregular verbs with all sorts of different irregularities, and it's almost impossible to find a system. You say kopen (to buy)– ik kocht – ik heb gekocht, but then lopen (to walk) – ik liep – ik heb gelopen. There are no grammar rules for these verbs.
What makes Dutch easy to learn? ›
Since English words are prominently located within the Dutch language, it can be easy for people proficient in English to read Dutch. However, speaking Dutch can be more difficult due to the different Dutch pronunciations. Some of the most difficult sounds include the 'r', the hard 'g', the sch and the ij sounds.
Is it possible to learn Dutch by yourself? ›You can definitely learn to speak great Dutch by yourself. However, if you've never done it before then you'll also be learning how to teach yourself at the same time! Get exposure to the language, listen, read about grammar, ask for feedback and practise as much as you can!
Where should I start learning Dutch? ›- Use an app to learn Dutch.
- Attend Dutch language schools.
- Sign up for online Dutch courses.
- Use textbooks to learn Dutch.
- Join online communities to learn Dutch.
- Listen to Dutch podcasts and songs.
- Watching videos to learn Dutch.
- Talk with Dutchies.
It's also the official language of several countries, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Both Dutch and German have their challenges, but Dutch is generally considered easier to learn than German.
Can I learn Dutch in 2 months? ›It Depends On How Much You Practice
The Foreign Language Institute recommends a total of 24-30 weeks or 600-750 hours of Dutch language learning to reach fluency. Tobian Language School personally recommends 20 – 30 lessons for A2 level with a minimum of 2 weekly lessons.
You can spend years learning a language and still find words that you haven't come across before. But as a general guide, the Foreign Service Insitute in the US estimates it takes about 600 hours of class lessons (or 24 weeks) for a native English speaker to become fluent in Dutch.
What is B2 level Dutch? ›B2 – Listening
B2 Listening means that you can understand extended speech and lectures and follow even complex lines of argument provided the topic is reasonably familiar. You can understand most TV news and current affairs programs. You can understand the majority of films in standard dialect.
Hallo! Suitable for use in most settings, situations and persons, this is an important Dutch greeting to know.
Which is harder Spanish or Dutch? ›While Dutch has nineteen vowel sounds (can you imagine?) and eleven diphthongs, Spanish only has five vowel sounds and fourteen diphthongs. Spanish wins in pronunciation but has complex verb conjugations and grammar which makes it significantly more complicated than Dutch.
Which is harder Danish or Dutch? ›Which is easier to learn: Danish or Dutch? In terms of vocabulary and spelling, Dutch is probably easier for native English speakers since they share many words with a similar pronunciation. The Dutch language borrows lots of words from the French, as does English – although, annoying, they are rarely the same words!
What percentage of Americans are Dutch? ›
...
Colonial Dutch American population in 1790.
| State or Territory | Dutch | |
|---|---|---|
| # | % | |
| United States | 100,000 | 3.10% |
Learning the language will give you an insider's view of the culture; for example, it will become clear why Dutch people can sometimes come across as rude when they speak English. The Dutch prefer a direct style of communication, and a literal translation in that style can often seem very blunt to a foreigner.
Is it worth it to learn Dutch? ›Learning Dutch Helps with Practicalities
In addition to knowing basic words and phrases to live your new life somewhat independently, there are a few practical reasons too. For instance, knowing some Dutch makes reading restaurant menus, road signs, newspapers, and ingredient lists much easier.
They speak Dutch in the Netherlands
Most of the people who speak Dutch (about 17 million) live in the Netherlands. The Dutch language is a West Germanic language that is spoken by around 23 million people as a first language, and about 5 million people as their second language.
- Spanish. Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language after Mandarin, and not a surprise at the top of languages to learn. ...
- German. ...
- Arabic. ...
- Mandarin. ...
- Portuguese. ...
- Russian. ...
- French.
Dutch is spoken in the Netherlands, Belgium (Flanders) and Suriname.
What language is Dutch most similar to? ›Its closest relative is the mutually intelligible daughter language Afrikaans. Other West Germanic languages related to Dutch are German, English and the Frisian languages and the un-standardised languages Low German and Yiddish.
How many words do you need to know to be fluent in Dutch? ›Dutch Words for Beginners
Once you have mastered these basics, you can then start learning 10 new words every day. To master 80% of the spoken language you will need about 1000 words. It will take a bit more than three months for you to complete your vocabulary to fluency.
- Read out loud. If you're listening to a lesson and reading along, read out loud. ...
- Prepare things to say ahead of time. ...
- Use shadowing (repeat the dialogues as you hear them). ...
- Review again and again. ...
- DON'T BE AFRAID TO MAKE MISTAKES!
Level exam: A1. Costs exam: € 150,00.
How long does it take to get to B1 Dutch? ›
A1 proficiency: 60-100 hours. A2 proficiency: 180-200 hours. B1 proficiency: 350-400 hours. B2 proficiency: 500-650 hours.
What is the lowest level of Dutch? ›Course levels range from A1 (beginner) to C1/C2 (near native) and some providers also include specific courses which are tailored for certain professions. Some schools are accredited.
What is unique about Dutch? ›Dutch people are usually very open, friendly and welcoming. In the Netherlands, only parents and children live together. In general, they do not live with grandparents, aunts, and uncles. During meals, Dutch families usually share their adventures of the day.
What is unique about Dutch language? ›the dutch language is known for long compound words.
That's 53 letters! When translating between English and Dutch, documents may need to redesigned to accommodate these long compound words. Also, text tends to expand when translated from English into Dutch, sometimes as much as 35%.
Why is Dutch easier than German? Dutch and German share the same origin, but the further away a language has grown from that origin, the more it has changed and developed. German is an older language. One of the main factors affecting how difficult a language is, is language contact.
Is Dutch closer to English or German? ›So dive right in and practice your Dutch with confidence. For the same reasons Dutch is the closest language to English, German is also a close language, and another one that many English speakers may find easier to learn. Dutch is commonly mentioned as the language nestled between English and German.
What are Dutch best known for? ›The Netherlands (or Holland) may be a small country, but it's packed with world famous icons. Discover our bulb fields, windmills, cheese markets, wooden shoes, canals of Amsterdam, masterpieces of Old Masters, Delft Blue earthenware, innovative water-management and millions of bicycles.
Why do the Dutch speak such good English? ›Contributing factors for the high degree of English fluency are the similarity of the two languages, the country's small size, dependence on international trade, and the use of subtitles for foreign languages on television, rather than audio dubbing.
How do you say your age in Dutch? ›The word jaar means “years,” and oud means “old.” Ik ben twintig jaar oud. “I'm 20 years old”. [slowly] Ik ben twintig jaar oud.
How long does it take to learn Dutch if you know English? ›English speakers will need at least 24 weeks or about 600 to 750 hours of official Dutch classes to acquire fluency in the language. It's actually on the easy spectrum and is considered by a lot as the easiest language to learn if you know English.
Can I learn Dutch in a week? ›
If you want to learn Dutch fast you won't need more than a 1 week intensive Dutch course to learn Dutch. A 5, 7 or 9 day immersion crash course with Richard van Egdom an experienced dedicated native Dutch language teacher suffices. Starting from scratch you get up to level A2 on the European Language Proficiency Scale.
How hard is it to learn Dutch fluently? ›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.