There are many ways to learn Dutch, and while attending a language school is effective, it’s not for everyone (or their wallets). So, why not turn something you already do into a study tool? Like watching YouTube!

We’ve gathered the 21 best YouTube channels to start learning or rekindle your love for the Dutch language — and we’re not just talking boring grammar videos.

Whether you’re a total beginner, a determined intermediate, or an advanced learner, there’s a Dutch YouTuber out there for you (and your language goals 😉).

Dutch YouTube channels to learn vocab and grammar

If you’re looking for focused guidance on your Dutch learning journey, we’ve found four YouTube channels to help you build a solid foundation.

These channels cover vocabulary, grammar, cultural insights, and even offer a few laughs.

1. Dutchies to be — Learn Dutch with Kim

Forget boring grammar lessons, because Kim’s channel teaches Dutch through funny skits and real-life scenarios, showing the topic first, then breaking down the grammar.

Her videos are sweet and funny, covering everything from essential grammar, daily conversations and common mistakes non-native speakers make. She also has a complimentary website and offers online courses.

2. Learn Dutch with Bart de Pau

Bart’s fun videos aim to bridge the language gap between internationals and Dutch people, featuring a cute animated soap opera, student interviews about Dutch culture, and entertaining language challenges.

READ MORE | The very best of those videos with Bart de Pau from Learn Dutch

His channel is less structured than Kim’s, with most lessons and exercises on his website. But for fun, insightful interviews on Dutch culture and language, it’s a great pick!

Plus, he has a free online video course called “1000 most common words in Dutch” that you can subscribe to for an extra challenge!

3. Easy Dutch 

We stumbled across this channel via an extensive playlist by Easy Languages. 

Their ‘Easy Dutch — Learn Dutch from the Streets!’ playlist is updated by the channel Easy Dutch and is a must-follow for any aspiring Dutch speakers!

It’s full of interviews with people from the Netherlands about all sorts of topics, from the life of Turks in the Netherlands to what makes people happy. They even have a video where they corner Rutte to ask him what he’s wearing! 😆

All videos are entirely in Dutch, but their Dutch and English subtitles make it easy to pick up new words.

4. Learn Dutch with DutchPod101

Offering one of the most extensive video libraries for learning Dutch on YouTube, DutchPod 101’s channel has 20 playlists for you to peruse — with videos on everything from vocabulary and grammar to writing, reading, and listening skills.

If you ask us, a playlist with conversational phrases is perfect for putting on in the background while cleaning or taking a shower!

Their videos may look like they were made with 2010s graphics, but the content is worth staying for.

Dutch lifestyle and health channels

Want to take a break from studying but still practice your Dutch skills? Good news! Whatever your viewing taste is like, there’s probably a Dutch version.

5. VerlosMoeder

If you’re a person with a uterus who wants to grow a mini human in there sometime, VerlosMoeder is for you! 

‘Verlosmoeder’ combines verloskundige (midwife) and moeder (mother), reflecting Djanifa’s content about her work and motherhood. A sweet, aesthetic channel radiating femininity and strength. 🤰

6. faenomenal

Your typical lifestyle and food YouTuber… but with a sustainable and vegan twist. Now, where was that subscribe button?

Fae’s channel has many features shared with other popular YouTubers in this category: aesthetic shots, humour, and a bit of a vintage vibe (which seems very Dutch, to be honest). 

Her videos are great for practicing Dutch: she speaks clearly, at a good pace, occasionally uses English, and repeats vocab in similar videos (think: vegan what I eat in a day). 🙌

7. Enzoknol

First of all, this guy uploads every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. 😱 That means his content may not be as carefully curated or edited as some other YouTubers, but there’s plenty of it.

Most of his videos also feature his girlfriend, friends, or family, so it’s great for hearing conversational Dutch (albeit spoken relatively fast). If you’re into old-school, slightly chaotic vlogs, this is it!

8. Teske

As a YouTuber, blogger, and singer, Teske’s content can help you learn Dutch whether you’re in the mood for watching, reading, or listening to some poppy rap. 🎶

Her channel focuses on daily life, (mostly vegan) food reviews, and life advice. Like Fae, she speaks clearly and at an easy-to-follow pace, making her vlogs enjoyable even for Dutch learners.

9. Gio

Another guy who uploads videos every single day — a big hoera for Dutch efficiency. Whatever it is, it means there’s a lot of content for you to peruse!

Giovanni’s channel mainly posts day-in-the-life vlogs — though unless your 20-something friends drive Lamborghinis and vacation in castles, it might not feel too relatable. 🙃

Nevertheless, he has lots of energy and enthusiasm, and his level of eccentricity is pretty entertaining.

Dutch gaming channels

An article about YouTubers wouldn’t be complete without the gamers appearing. And luckily, there are more than a few Dutch ones. 🎮

READ MORE | 17 arcades in the Netherlands: gaming in Amsterdam and beyond

10. SerpentGameplay

Even though his channel is called SerpentGameplay, Rick also uploads about internet culture and random life events — all with a love for bad jokes, weird facts, and gaming!

He’s critical, down-to-earth, and charming with excessive hand gestures and copious self-irony. Oh, and since he speaks directly to the camera and into a microphone, his Dutch is relatively easy to understand!

11. DusDavid Games

With over 6,000 videos, this YouTuber offers plenty of content for you to enjoy.

DusDavid Games features Minecraft, other games, vlogs, and comedy — and, though he speaks quickly, his clear audio helps you understand his Dutch.

Dutch comedy and experiment channels

Looking to laugh away the struggles of learning Dutch? You’ll step up your casual Dutch with these comedy channels and be introduced to some Dutch slang. Lijkt me leuk! (Sounds like fun!)    

12. BOOS

Airing on NPO3 (a Dutch public broadcasting channel for children, youth, and innovative television) as well as YouTube, BOOS follows the host as he tries “to make angry people not angry.” 

What does that entail exactly? 🤔

Viewers email in complaints — about bosses, landlords, webshops, or politicians — and the team investigates, offering entertaining insights into Dutch society.

Also, Boos has decent-quality auto-translated subtitles if the dialogue ever goes a bit too fast for your Dutch.

While the videos are often light, BOOS’ most popular video (with more than 10 million views!) investigates the sexual assault scandal at The Voice of Holland.

13. DrugsLab

Perhaps the most Dutch channel you’ll ever find out there — at least stereotypically, and if you buy into myths about drugs in the Netherlands.

In Drugslab, three young people use, test, and talk about drugs, all in the name of science.

Run by a Dutch public broadcaster and vetted by medical and addiction experts, Drugslab ended after covering all planned substances, but its 193 fun, informative episodes are still on YouTube.

14. Streetlab

Another lab! This time, it’s classic social experiments with Streetlab, presented by childhood friends Tim, Daan, Jasper, and Stijn, and supported by Dutch broadcasters KRO-NCRV and NPO3.

Their original experiments ended after becoming too famous, but several spin-offs offer varied vocabulary, from dating to travel and pop culture.

15. Jesse Hoefnagels

This one is for the TikTok generation. We’re still unsure what this guy does, but he has 400,000+ subscribers, so he must be doing something right. 😉

His videos cover everything from dating to random antics — great for picking up slang and practicing fast listening.

16. StukTV

StukTV is YouTube taken to another level.

The three friends have more than 2.5 million subscribers and are regularly picked up by Dutch television, and in 2018, they sold Stuk to the Dutch multimedia company Talpa. 📺

However, Giel, Thomas, and Stefan upload new episodes of their TV-show-like productions to YouTube weekly.

Their videos range from crazy dares to the show “Het Jachtseizoen”. Each action-packed episode features a well-known Dutchie who enacts a prison escape and has four hours to flee from the presenters who act as guards. 👮

Dutch news and educational channels 

Are you planning on taking the inburgeringsexamen? Or to keep on top of the most important developments in the Netherlands?

Similarly to learning Dutch with podcasts, watching news(y) channels in Dutch is a great way to kill two birds with one stone — improving your Dutch and your knowledge about the Netherlands simultaneously!

17. De Avondshow met Arjen Lubach 

Think of the Daily Show, but in Dutch. 😎 De Avondshow met Arjen Lubach is a satirical news and talk show hosted by Arjen Lubach. 

Lubach has returned to the screen (and YouTube!) after the popular programme Zondag met Lubach was discontinued in August 2020.

Now the host of a Dutch late-night show, he discusses news, current issues and invites inspiring guests.

18. NOS Jeugdjournaal

The NOS Jeugdjournaal uploads daily news segments to its YouTube channel — keeping your information and your Dutch up to date.

The NOS Jeudjournaal is the youth version of the Dutch public broadcaster and newspaper, the NOS. Although it’s aimed at nine to 12-year-olds, it’s a gem for listening to the news in simple Dutch.  

19. Clipphanger

Another kids’ program that’s great for hearing simple Dutch in an educational context. Developed by Schooltv.nl, Clipphanger is part of the public broadcaster NTR, focusing on educational content for Dutch youth.

These simple animations are great for building Dutch vocabulary on topics like politics, mental health, or Keti Koti, with accurate Dutch subtitles to catch any words you miss.

20. NOS op 3

Dutchies have something for age-targeted news channels. But well, if it means everyone has a chance to understand and follow current affairs, that’s pretty good. 👏

NOS op 3 targets 18–50-year-olds, using clear language and informative graphics — great for Dutch learners! Like Clipphanger, it offers non-autogenerated Dutch subtitles for better accessibility.

21. Universiteit van Nederland

The Dutch TED! Swap your TED binge for similar Dutch content — because procrastination should be productive.

Also, a podcast, De Universiteit van Nederland, is exactly what it sounds like: a university for all of the Netherlands.

These mini-lectures, presented by top Dutch academics in collaboration with 14 universities, make complex topics accessible through clear, engaging explanations in layperson’s terms.

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Whether you’re trying to learn Dutch while you’re not in the Netherlands, learn Dutch for free, or want to feel less guilty about YouTube binges, it’s a great way to boost your everyday Dutch.

Do you have any Dutch YouTube recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!👇

Taking the plunge into that Dutch lesson life is no easy feat — especially when you’re not sure if the time, effort, and cost will be worth it. 

But take it from seasoned internationals in the Netherlands: if you really want to feel comfortable in your ability to speak Dutch, you need to rip off the band-aid and book yourself in for a Nederlandse cursus. 

So before you start coming up with a thousand reasons not to take the plunge, we’re here to bust 11 myths about taking Dutch lessons — so you can get on with the learning. 😉

1. It’s expensive

Will Dutch lessons cost you some of your hard-earned geld? Zeker! Will it cost you thousands and thousands of euros? Not necessarily. An average 13-week, one-class-per-week course will run you around €500. 

Now we chose a writing career, so believe us, we know that’s not a tiny amount of cash to cough up. But the amazing rush of walking into Albert Heijn and conducting the entire trip in Dutch? Being able to give directions to the little lost old lady on the street? That’s a priceless feeling. 

Plus, at the start, you’ll increase one whole level (e.g., from A1 to A2) as a beginner, or half a level when you’re intermediate or advanced. That means every 13 weeks you’ll have a whole new set of skills to show off. Lekker bezig! (Good job!)

2. The teachers are all old and mean

If the thought of learning a language gives you flashbacks to sitting in primary school and having your knuckles rapped for not remembering your French conjugations, it’s time to let that mental image go. Shh, go on, it’s time. 

Dutch teachers come in all shapes and sizes, and that’s awesome because it means you have a choice.

You can find a teacher who is 20 years old, fresh, and enthusiastic, or you can find a teacher who’s been around long enough to have seen every Dutch learning problem there is. Now, it’s just a matter of finding your perfect match! 

3. The lessons are entirely in Dutch

Alright, this isn’t an entire untruth. As you progress, you will be hearing and speaking a lot of Dutch in lessons — but that’s the point! 

However, we all know how great Dutchies are at speaking English — so if there’s ever a tricky grammatical concept that you really need to be explained in simple English, you can bet that will be done quick smart. You will not be left lost and alone, we promise. 

4. There will be a lot of homework

Another great thing about learning a language as an adult is that you’ve got s*** to do — and the teachers get that. You’re not a child with empty evenings, you’re a person with a job. And a cat. And laundry. And grocery shopping that really needs to be done.

Will there be homework? Yes. But it’s usually manageable. Got plenty of time? Great! You can spend between four and six hours on your huiswerk. Got a more hectic week ahead of you? Carve out an hour or two for yourself one evening in the week and you’re good to go. 

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #77: Switch to English even if you speak Dutch

Didn’t have time to do it all? Geen probleem. Again, this isn’t primary school, you won’t be scolded in front of your classmates. Life happens, the teachers get it. The more you put in the more you’ll get out — but every journey starts with that first step.

5. It’ll be boring

Boring? Dutch lessons? Never. Look, some of the grammar can feel tedious and some of the words may make you want to tear your hair out, but boring — nee. 

We can’t promise every lesson will be as scintillating as the latest season of the Dutch Hunted (which, by the way, you’ll be able to watch in Dutch now), but with the right Dutch language school you’ll have lessons with variety where you’ll get that sweet, sweet adrenaline rush after creating the perfect bijzin. 

Who needs skydiving when you have Dutch lessons?! 😂

6. You’ll learn useless Dutch

Listen, when you’re living in the Netherlands, there’s no such thing as useless Dutch. Sure, people can argue that you’ll get along fine with a script for certain scenarios and do the rest in English — but again, you’re not really integrating in that case. 

READ MORE | How to learn Dutch: the ultimate guide (by people who learned!)

Dutch lessons cover everything from how to format a sentence, to how to tell a particularly loud person in the silent carriage of the train to “hou je mond” (Shut your mouth). And you’re going to need it all if you plan on staying in this country for longer than a few months, trust us. 

7. You’ll need to take a lot of tests

Myth, myth, myth. Of course, this is all dependent on your Dutch language school, but typically, you’ll do a full or a half language level block before needing to take a test. 

So yes, sometimes you’ll need to crack open the books and study hard, but you won’t be drowning under a mountain of exams — we promise.

Then, when you do pass a test, you’ll know it was hard-earned and true proof of your Dutch-speaking ability (which is by then great, by the way). 🙌

9. It’s time-consuming

Will you learn Dutch overnight? Nee! Will you need to put in some time and effort? Ja! But learning Dutch doesn’t need to be time-consuming. For a once-per-week class, you’ll typically need to do between four to six hours of homework each week, plus your class time. 

It’s not for the faint-hearted, but it’s certainly doable around a full-time job, seeing friends, and having hobbies — and yes, we are speaking from experience!

9. It’ll move too fast (or too slow)

Listen, this can be true — but only if you’ve signed up for the wrong level of Dutch lessons. Maybe you overestimated your ability and enrolled straight into a B1 course, only to find that everything is one big blur of sounds. 

But the fix is simple: Switch yourself to a lower level, and you’ll find a pace that suits your abilities! The school where we learn Dutch makes it possible to switch to another level during the course as well. 

However, most of the time, you’ll find that everything moves at just the right pace. You’re usually asked to complete a short test or have a quick phone call with your teacher before you begin. This way, you can be advised of whether your level of Dutch is too high, too low, or juuuust right for the course. 👌

10. You can just learn Dutch with an app instead

Apps like Duolingo are fantastic at strengthening your Dutch vocabulary. However, the greatest criticism around these apps is that you will learn words, but you won’t learn grammar — and that’s a problem when it comes to, you know — creating sentences.

More importantly… You don’t learn how to speak the language.

Dutch grammar and sentence structure are entirely different from English, so taking the time and effort to learn how to conjugate and construct a sentence (and having a chance to put them into practice) is really necessary — and that’s something an app won’t teach you.  

11. You’re too old, or you can’t do it

Let’s go ahead and call ourselves Barack Obama because “Yes, We Can”. It is possible to learn Dutch — and we’re speaking entirely from experience — that process goes hella faster when you’ve been gently guided by a great teacher. 

Plus, Dutch lessons consist of people of all backgrounds and ages. You’ll find fresh-faced 20-year-olds, well-seasoned internationals who have been living here for 10-plus years, and anyone and everyone in between. 

READ MORE | 6 ways to learn Dutch fast and easy: our best tips to learn ‘Nederlands’ in life

We also spent far too long in the Netherlands struggling to pick up the language, but it was only when we signed up for language lessons that we saw our Dutch progress go through the roof. 

Today we’re by no means fluent — but we can get around, have hour-long conversations, and sometimes even understand whatever the hell the NS loudspeaker is crackling out. 

And let us tell you — if we did it, you can too. 😂

What myths have you heard about taking Dutch lessons? Tell us in the comments below!

This article was co-written by Sarah O’Leary & Samantha Dixon