Today, my teacher told me she was disappointed that my vocabulary wasn't progressing. I've reached A2-level grammar, and for weeks I've been trying to explain that I struggle to keep up because I simply don't know the words to use in sentences.

I understand sentence structure. I understand how to conjugate verbs. I can learn the rules and understand how a sentence is supposed to work. But knowing how to build a sentence and actually having the vocabulary to fill it are two very different things.

Today, I asked my teacher if she could give me just ten words to learn and memorise for next week. Something specific and manageable to focus on. She responded that she has been teaching Dutch for years, and that she didn't think that would help. Instead, she suggested sitting or walking outside and listening to the people around me.

Maybe there's value in that, but right now, I just feel so stuck. I've made flashcards. I've tried watching Dutch TV, reading, practising grammar and finding ways to improve my vocabulary. I've actively tried to find a method that works for me but I'm so frustrated with it all.

Watching Dutch TV can feel impossible when I barely understand what's being said. Reading becomes a constant battle of looking up words instead of enjoying what I'm reading. And when every attempt to practise reminds you of how much you don't know, it's difficult not to lose confidence.

My teacher even said today that she feels I've hit a wall and that I am not progressing. And honestly, I think she's right.

I know learning a language takes time. I know I can't expect to become fluent overnight. But sometimes, knowing that doesn't make the process any less overwhelming.

I just wish I could find a way of learning that works with my brain rather than constantly feeling like I'm fighting against it.

I'd genuinely love to hear what has helped any of you, because right now, I'm hitting a wall.

Hallo, hope this is ok to post! My mother is Dutch, I have dual Dutch-US citizenship but we have lived in the US for 20+ years (I'm 28 now). I've been to the Netherlands many times and Dutch was actually my first language; I used to be quite fluent in it as a child, but since my mom stopped speaking it at home over time I've lost a lot of it and now only have a passive understanding of it -- I understand it fairly well when it is spoken to me, but I have trouble remembering specific words and forming sentences.

So! I would like to become capable in it again to at least some extent, especially since I will be visiting the NL again for the first time in some years soon. I have been checking out the links provided on this subreddit, but I was wondering if anyone had tips for what the best approach would be since I have some knowledge already? My situation is a bit weird because I'm technically not starting from scratch, but obviously I know I need to learn the rules anyway since they were never formally taught to me. Thanks in advance!

I’m curious because I’ve always heard that it’s really hard to practice Dutch since most Dutch people speak extremely good English and would instantly switch to English as soon as you try to speak and they find out that you’re not a native speaker. Is there anyone who, despite all those challenges, managed to master the language and get to C2 level in Dutch as a non-native speaker who started learning the language as an adult? If you did, how did you get there and what are some tips you have for other fellow Dutch learners? :)

Hoi ik ben in Nederland 2 jaar geblijven. Ik volgde mijn master studie hier en nu ben ik werken. Nu ben ik ongeveer B1 niveau. Ik heb al het B1 lezen examen aangeslagd.

Ik wil erg om mijn Nederlands te praten, conversatie te maken en te volgen, maar niet alleen wat examen luisteren materiaal te leren.

Dus dat is waarom ik een moedertaal Nederlandse persoon wil te vinden.

Ik ben vrij meestal op weekends, online chatting of in persoon werk me helemaal goed. Nu woon ik in central region in Den Haag.

Alle teskten zijn zelf gemaakt, dus wens ik jullie alle worden en teskten die ik schrijf begrijpen…

Hallo allemaal!

I'm here to ask whether it's normal for an A0–A1 Dutch course to be taught primarily in Dutch. Around 95% of the class is in Dutch.

I started an A1 course about a month ago, and I'm finding it really difficult to follow because, after the first lesson, the classes are taught in Dutch when I can't understand most of it yet.

Before signing up, I specifically asked the institution whether I could follow the course with absolutely no prior knowledge of Dutch. They assured me that it would be possible and that I would only need to understand English, which isn't a problem for me.

However, after attending a few classes, I'm becoming frustrated because I can barely follow what's going on unless I study the next chapter extensively before the lesson. The teacher explains most things in Dutch, and she also keeps telling me to stop using google translate, even though sometimes I can't even understand the questions in the exercises.

Is this normal for a beginner's course? I'm a bit confused because many of the other students seem to be able to follow along or even hold basic conversations in Dutch, despite the course being advertised as a beginner-level class.

Honestly, the course has been more discouraging than encouraging so far. I understand that being exposed to the language is important when learning it, but I expected more explanations in English at this level, especially since the institution told me that would be enough to follow the lessons.

I'm curious to hear from people who have taken similar courses in the Netherlands. Is this teaching method normal for A0–A1 classes, or should I look for a different course next time?

Hi everyone. I've been living in the Netherlands for almost a year now. (Amsterdam Zuid-oost). My husband's job was transferred here from abroad. We have both enrolled in a few Dutch classes and are making decent progress at understanding Dutch, watching Dutch TV, etc, though neither of us are particularly amazing at speaking yet. For living here under a year, that's fine.

Anyhow, several people have told me to join a taal cafe, and I love the idea, but I am a little lost. These people all seem to imply that there are taal cafes all over the place and they're free and easy to join, etc, but I don't know how to join one.

Searching the OBA website, I see several across the city in libraries, but I can't tell if you just show up to them like a drop in, or if they operate on a term basis and you have to enroll and then start attending at the first date in a series, etc. Some taal cafes seem to only be for people living in certain neighborhoods or some are only for refugees, etc. They all also seem to be in the middle of the day, ie not for people who are working. Are there other taal cafes not in libraries also?

Can someone shed some light here? Many thanks!

I’ve been learning Dutch for a while, but I still get a pit in my stomach when an official letter arrives.

It’s the blue envelopes from the Belastingdienst, the DUO letters, or the gemeente. Even when I understand the words, it’s the uncertainty that gets me: Do I need to do something? Is this urgent? What happens if I ignore it?

I feel like there’s this gap between learning the language and actually navigating the bureaucracy.

Anybody else on the same boat? How do you handle the stress of opening those letters?

https://voca.ro/1jVXK0zd1NLU

Ik leer al twee jaar Nederlands.. Kun je raden waar ik vandaan kom?

Hoi allemaal. Ik ben op zoek naar mensen om mee nederlands te oefenen. Ik woon in Utrecht en het zou super zijn om andere mensen te ontmoeten en Nederlands te praten.

Hoi iedereen!

Ik leer nu Nederlands en mijn taalniveau is A2–B1. Woensdag ga ik voor het eerst naar de Stoffenmarkt. Ik wil graag stof kopen, maar ik weet niet welke woorden ik nodig heb. Welke woordenschat is handig als ik iets wil kopen op de Stoffenmarkt?

What is natural, easy and common Dutch to ask to purchase fabrics? For instance: May I have 2 meters of this? How can I ask for velvet? Etc etc. What common things do you think a seller would ask me, so I can prepare?

Edit: Ik ben een beetje verlegen, dus alle hulp hier was heel nuttig! Bedankt voor alle hulp! Ik heb het advies al opgeschreven en ik wil de woordenschat oefenen.

Edit, Dutch edit: en ik ga de woordenschat oefenen voor de markt morgen.*

rimpelbuisobstakelbeveiliger

Can I work in the Netherlands or Canada?

I've been trying to find more Dutch content creators that genuinely appeal to me and whom I'd watch outside of the purpose of learning Dutch, but also because I just find them interesting. Since YouTube does not have a way to filter by language, I've been struggling to even search for what I want, and for some reason the algorithm just defaults to what I assume are its clickbaity basics that work on children.

In particular I'm looking for cozy minecraft videos and in general cozy games, typical booktube type videos, and videos about journalling and travelling. Maybe evwn some comedy? like Drew or Danny. I just really cannot stand fast paced editing or yelling for retention, which seem to be the only type of videos in Dutch that YouTube wants to recommend to me.

Any comments are appreciated!

Hallo iedereen,
Ik woon al lang in België. Ik ben een stille persoon en ik had gewerkt bij buitenlandse bedrijven. Daarom heb ik al meer dan 12 jaar geen Nederlands gesproken.
Ik wil mijn Nederlands weer oefenen. Is er iemand die met mij Nederlands wil praten?
Ik ben grafisch vormgever en videograaf.

Stuur me gerust een bericht.
Alvast bedankt!

Hi everyone! im trying to learn flemish because of my Belgian boyfriend, Im currently doing a course and im 50% on my A2 level course (loooong way to go), but something I've been doing is watching some dutch series but prime and Netflix are short on those, I've been thinking maybe it would be nice to watch some YouTube by flemish content creators cause YouTube translates to every language, if you can drop me some YouTubers from Belgium or Netherlands (but I would prefer Belgium), if it could be make-up, healthiness and fitness lifestyle beauty influencers would be ideal because that's what I normally watch, but it can also be different types of content videos, like games, true crime, informational documentaries, etc! Or if you know any nice reality shows or series in flemish or dutch please send them my way! Thanks guys :))

Hi everyone!

I have my Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I exams coming up in about 10 days.

Unfortunately, I’ve been dealing with some health issues recently. I’ve already visited my GP and received a doctor’s letter. I still attended one of my exams despite feeling unwell, but it was quite difficult.

Since my health hasn’t improved yet, I’ve emailed DUO asking if I can reschedule my upcoming exams, and I’m currently waiting for their response.

Has anyone here successfully rescheduled their NT2 exams, whether for health reasons or any other reason? How did the process work? Were you able to change the dates, or did you have to cancel and book again? Did you have to pay again?

I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thank you! 😊

Edit: they just told me I can’t change cuz the exams are to near and it’s less 4 weeks 😭

I now go to taalcafes and speak in Dutch at work, but I find myself seeming to keep making the same mistakes/kept being misunderstood/unable to express myself fluently.

I took group classes up to B2 level, and my reading and listening has been improving very well. But speaking is still lagging way behind, I would say even in A2 level.

I have the means to take private lessons. Has anyone here ever gotten much better with private lessons? What aspects of it made you significantly better? I'm just tired of trying to express myself better without any feedback on whether I'm doing it right/choosing the right words, phrases, etc.

Or are there any books/websites you can recommend? I'm also looking for ways to make my progress measurable and have a structured learning, not just winging it like I'm doing now

Hello guys,

who is up to meet up in Amsterdam to get together to practice speaking, look into grammar together in a supportive pace, bringing our sources perhaps, when we could talk things over have a good supportive chat about Dutch language and everyday realistic useful conversations on the weekends and to interact with each other...?

I have a lot of books as sources I can bring, I am A2 by the way, but I thought it would be a great kickstart.

Hello! I really don’t know if this is the best place to ask, so sorry if it’s not.

But basically, I am watching Peppa Pig (no subtitles) as a form of listening practice. I’m on the 4th season before I looked up the voice actors and realized the characters were “Peppa Big”, “Mama Big”, “Papa Big”, Opa Big”, but it’s “Oma Pig”.

Was this a mistake on the site I was looking at, or is that actually what they are called in Dutch?? It threw me off and I was surprised I hadn’t noticed they were saying big rather than pig this whole time.

But yeah, I just wanted to ask people who maybe grew up with the show if they’re actually called Big rather than Pig.

Hi everyone! I'm currently learning Dutch and set up a Duolingo Family Plan for the year. I have 4 open spots left and wanted to check if anyone in the community would be interested in splitting it.

* Open to anyone worldwide.
* Paid in advance for the year.

If you're interested in joining forces to practice and learn, please drop me a DM!