When learning Dutch it is important, especially at the beginning, to focus on input—on listening and reading. However, just as is the case with most learners, you also want to be able to speak, and to speak well.

You first need to determine for yourself: "What are my speaking goals, and how do I get there?"

I mean as much as an hour a day or more, just about every day. Listen in your car and while doing chores around the house. Listen while exercising or running. Do not just sit down and focus on listening. Just listen "on the fly", taking advantage of "dead time" during the day.

Listening creates a body of experience for the brain. If the content is interesting, and the voice pleasing, listening creates an emotional connection with a language. Listening creates neural connections. It gives phrases, improves comprehension, lets you hear the pronunciation more clearly, and gives momentum for eventually speaking.

Searching out content that is high resonance, interesting, sufficiently challenging without being too difficult, and above all enjoyable, is important. Start with short, easier content and graduate to longer, more interesting material. There are many Dutch podcasts, radio programs, and series. Feel free to ask your trainer about suitable resources.

If you notice the content is a tad more difficult, make sure you have access to a transcript — it will make it easier to understand.

Reading is the best way to increase your vocabulary. It gives you words in isolation and in combination. To communicate well, you need a large passive vocabulary.

Even though you may not actively use all the words you know, a strong passive vocabulary allows for meaningful conversations. Your speaking skills will catch up as you engage more in conversation.

At first, most reading will be in your Dutch course. But as you progress, read anything: Facebook groups, Twitter, Instagram posts, or LinkedIn updates from Dutch speakers.

Engage in listening and reading independently — this builds familiarity with the language and prepares you for effective communication.

Listening combined with reading fills your brain with phrases you recognize and can eventually use. Imitate out loud the occasional word or phrase while listening and reading. This technique, known as shadowing, strengthens retention.

Focus on rhythm and intonation rather than perfect pronunciation. Imitation improves pronunciation and makes your speech more natural.

Writing is a great way to begin producing the language. It allows you to look up words, revise grammar, and reflect on sentence structure.

Many learners avoid writing due to the time investment, but those who do write are often more confident and fluent when speaking later.

Our Learn Dutch Online course offers writing exercises based on real-life and professional situations — helping you prepare for practical communication.

To speak well, you eventually need to speak a lot. At Learn Dutch Online, our courses help you build vocabulary and practice through themed lessons with your trainer.

When speaking with native speakers, don’t worry too much about mistakes. Focus on communication and building connections.

Effective communication doesn’t mean flawless Dutch — it means expressing yourself in a way that both parties feel comfortable.

Would you like to practice conversational Dutch with a native trainer and get fluent? Contact us here to get started.