FUN WAYS TO LEARN SOME DUTCH Moving to the Netherlands is a challenge you already embraced. But what about picking up some useful phrases in Dutch that you can impress your friends with? Having a basic understanding of the language will surely help you connect with the local culture. As you might notice, nearly all Dutch people speak English, many with complete fluency. However, learning the basics of the Dutch language will improve your understanding of your surroundings, plus it is easier to do once you are in the Dutch-speaking environment. In this article, you will find some proven (and entertaining) methods to improve your Dutch comprehension! The language bears resemblance to English as they are both part of the Germanic branch of the Indo-European languages, meaning that some words have similar roots. Most of the vocabulary is very logical and intuitive, so grab your dictionary and “laten we beginnen”! ESN UTRECHT DUTCH LANGUAGE COURSE ESN Utrecht and Utrecht University Career Services collaborate on offering a Dutch Language Course specially made for international students. The course centres around topics useful in daily life; this means you can learn words and phrases related to a new theme each week and find out interesting facts about Dutch culture along the way. Lessons are offered to both beginners and intermediate learners, so you can decide which level fits you best. The course is taught in an informal setting by enthusiastic Dutch students; the perfect opportunity to learn Dutch from a local! You can find more information on the ESN Utrecht website. THE BABBEL APP Even though Duolingo might be the first association that pops up in mind when thinking of a language learning app, at times it might slow down your learning process as it gamifies it, and admittedly, some of its example sentences are not very practical. If you are looking to build a stable foundation, Babble is quite a flexible option. You do not need to complete levels to reach a section you are interested in, which saves time. In addition, its lessons are culture-oriented and you get to hear native speakers. Babble offers a free trial lesson and afterward, the monthly subscription is approximately €10. PAGE 31
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