10+ Top Dutch Courses to Use in 2024
When my cousin was about to leave for the Netherlands, her only focus was to learn Dutch. She was really motivated to learn it. There wasn’t a single platform she left unexplored. Seeing her so motivated, I also got curious about the apps she thought were good for her. Although I knew some of the apps, there were many new names on her list. Of course, I had to try them. If you are also a serious learner of Dutch like her, let me make your search easier. I will share the list of Dutch courses that actually helped her.
Top Dutch Courses to Use
Dutch is a very different language from English. It means it is a tough language to learn. Though many Dutch podcasts help improve Dutch, it is important to learn the basics of it. To help it out, here are the tools that my cousin used to improve the language-
1. Pimsleur
Pimsleur is a tool that focuses on developing the pronunciation of words and sentences in Dutch. There are audio recordings of male and female speakers. The conversational style of it is natural. The lessons are developed entirely in audio style, so there are no writing exercises. After completing each lesson, there is a practice exercise for it.
Pros | Cons |
Improve listening and speaking skills | There are no writing exercises |
A lot of cultural knowledge | Some lessons are quite boring sometimes |
Verbal skills are improved |
2. DutchPod101
DutchPod101 is the best platform to learn Dutch by focusing on listening skills. This works like an audio lesson created in podcats style. Learners at any level can use it. The best part is the use of important vocabulary and grammar within it.
Pros | Cons |
They keep on updating the lessons | Any level person can use it |
Can download the content | The interface of the platform is confusing but not for the lesson interface. |
English is used a lot |
3. Duolingo
Duolingo is the perfect choice for learners who love to play games. It basically follows a Gamified approach that helps to learn the language. I know quite well how this platform works. In fact, it is like my beginner partner. Any language that I learn is started by using it. However, the only problem my cousin had with this platform was with the speech recognition tool. According to her it sometimes works very wrongly.
Pros | Cons |
The platform is free to use | Voice recognition tools sometimes work poorly |
Lots of engaging activities | The heart system on the mobile app makes it frustrating |
Repetition of words to remember them | There is no room for advanced learners |
4. FSI Dutch
FSI stands for Foreign Service Institute. It is a government organization that helped the diplomats to learn the language properly. The platform is free to use and offers multiple languages. There is no update from the past several years. So, it might be outdated. Although my cousin found it useful, I would still suggest you check before you use the material. The material on the platform is mostly the one that is added through typewriters. It will be best to choose it if you have a high level of patience.
Pros | Cons |
As it is a government body, it is fully reliable | The downloaded PDF is a copy of page types on a typewriter |
Free and easy to use | Difficult to read what is written |
Allow to download the content |
5. Dutch Grammar
Learning a language without knowing the reason how the sentences are created, is an incomplete learning. Therefore to complete it, there is a platform known as Dutch grammar. As the name suggests it is a platform that will teach the grammar basics to you. The only problem with this platform is its outdated style of it. Despite being a boring interface, there are a lot of things to use. Starting from the forums to its content. I have never learned Dutch. But whenever I will learn it, this platform will definitely be on my list.
The forums are always active. All the users help each other to clear their doubts. Most of the resources are text-based with some audio. I really think learning grammar is easier with text resources rather than audio resources. Despite being a grammatical tool, it also helps in the correct pronunciation of the word used in Dutch. This feature is not created in depth but can turn out to be useful. There is also a PDF book, but but has a few for it.
Pros | Cons |
It is totally free | The site may feel outdated |
So many forum activities | It almost have text-based content |
Well explained grammar | Very little audio in it |
6. Cooljugator
Another platform where you can learn grammar is Cooljugator. It is a platform that is specifically designed to teach verb conjugations. The platform has several other languages to offer. I have used it to learn German. Everything added on the website is clearly explained. However, if you are not a text person, it might be boring for you.
Pros | Cons |
The verb conjugation is explained really well | All the content is text-based |
Multiple languages available | No other grammatical aspect is covered |
Free platform to use |
7. LearnDutch.org
Another platform that is entirely designed to teach the Dutch language is LearnDutch.org. There are both free and paid options available. The free course allowed her to access a lot of content including phrases and words. It also has multiple videos that helped me develop my language skills. In the starting, there is a video of 1000 common words and phrases. The lesson is divided into vocab lists, exercises, and review tests. It also has grammar and other sections like the alphabet. It’s like a full package.
Pros | Cons |
A lot of free content | It’s very confusing to understand which is free and which is not |
The paid courses are expensive | There is no download option. |
Well explained grammar |
8. Glossika
The platform is known for teaching vocabulary in reps style. The reps are the words that are taught repeatedly. In the exercises, there are audios for translations and the word itself. Listen to them and try to record them. It gives you the ability to check if the recording matches the real pronunciation of the words. As the words and sentences are taught together, I think it’s a perfect choice for the beginner level.
Pros | Cons |
A lot of free content | The placement test works poorly |
Improve speaking skills | Overpriced and has no door for a beginner |
Bring in different challenges to be some extra subscription plan |
9. Transparent Languages
Transparent languages is one that provides the best Dutch course according to her. The course is created in Depth but speed is slow. The voice recognition tool of the platform helps to compare your sound with the sound of a native speaker. You have to decide whether you are right or wrong. There is no way of getting answers automatically. It only has self assessment exercise. It may look like an outdated technique. But trust me it is not.
Pros | Cons |
Dialogues are spoken at 100% natural speed | Slow interface to navigate |
Deep knowledge of content | |
10. iTalki
Some people enjoy learning with the help of a tutor. If you are someone like that, iTalki is a great tool for you. It has multiple tutors for Dutch making it a perfect platform for you. The tutors are amazing and helpful at the same time. This platform covers two types of tutors- Community and Professionals. Community tutors are those who do not have a lot of experience and a degree. On the other hand, professionals are those having degrees in a related field. However, tutors in both categories are good in the Dutch language. Take advantage of free trials before choosing a particular tutor.
Pros | Cons |
There are different tutors to teach a language | Teachers may not show in class sometimes |
Demo classes available | Some lessons are quite boring sometimes |
Allow filtering on the basis of your own needs |
11. Ifactner at youtube
Despite being a channel to learn Urdu, it has also taught different languages. Dutch is also one of them. 44 videos in this playlist will help in learning greetings and other related things. However, the only thing that I feel is a drawback is that it is an old playlist. The highest fluency level that you can achieve is the B1 level.
Pros | Cons |
A lot of English is used | A lot of English is used |
More than 40 video | No content for advanced learners |
Best suited for beginners |
12. Udemy
Whenever I learn a new language, always look for a platform where I can get options to choose a course for it. Udemy is one such platform that gave me the option of learning Spanish. It was no new name for me. I have been using it for a long time. Learning from it means having Dutch knowledge from scratch. The best part of this platform I feel is the availability of courses at different levels. “Learn Dutch -The Fast, Easy & Fun Speaking Dutch Method 14hr” is one of the best sellers of Udemy.
Pros | Cons |
Courses are created based on different levels and purposes | Some courses are paid |
Have free courses also | Certification is only for the paid courses |
There are courses for almost every field | No writing practice is there |
Courses are created mostly by native speakers or Dutch teachers |
13. Speaky
Want to practice with people of your own age? Speaky gives you that opportunity. It basically has a huge community of people from across the world. Get connected with the native speakers of Dutch and start having conversations. They will correct your mistake. Just like any other language exchange partner, there are two inbuilt tools- Translation and Auto-correction. I know this because I have used it for many languages including Spanish. Though it connected me with my age group people, there were unnecessary DMS on my profile.
Pros | Cons |
There are different tutors to teach a language | Teachers may not show up in class sometimes |
Demo classes available | Some lessons are quite boring sometimes |
Allow filtering on the basis of your own needs |
14. Babbel
Try the first-ever language learning platform Babbel. It is the oldest running platform making it a perfect choice for you to take the Dutch classes on. My sister took the course because of me. I have used it in French and Russian. Thus, I knew it was somewhere beneficial. Along with that, it also has a live feature. If needed, take advantage of it.
Pros | Cons |
The oldest running platform | Teachers may not show up in class sometimes |
Provide additional resources | Some lessons are quite boring sometimes |
Follows gamified approach |
15. uTalk
One thing I can guarantee you is that it will be a perfect choice if you are a visual learner. For every word, there are images on the screen representing its meaning. It also has audios in it. Listen and read them to learn the vocabulary. After that, there are exercises which are designed to memorize the vocabulary learned so far. There are games and phrasebooks available on it.
Pros | Cons |
Multiple languages | Less grammar |
A lot of gamification elements | Phrasebook is a paid feature |
Engaging lessons | The app is required to use the free content |
Recordings of native speakers | |
Can be used offline |
Conclusion
Though there are very few Dutch courses that are only focused on it, there are some apps that offer the best Dutch courses. The list is based on real experiences, making it a perfect choice for learning. All the platforms listed here offer unique features. Try them and see which one works for you.
FAQs
Is Dutch difficult to learn?
No, Dutch is not considered a tough language for English speakers. In fact, it comes under category 1 of the difficulty level given by FSI. It means it is under the section on the languages that are easiest to learn.
Can you learn Dutch in 3 months?
According to various studies, a person learning Dutch can do the following things easily-
Introducing themselves and their family
Order food
Complete transactions, and much more
Though it might not make you fluent for having long conversations, you can do the basic things.