This year has brought about a lot of change. However, some things stay the same: like the Netherlands, which is still a Dutch-speaking country, and therefore many expats are still looking for ways to learn the language.
But not only are we interacting with our family members and colleagues through our computer screens, but also with our teachers. Many Dutch language courses have migrated from the classroom to a Zoom call.
Don’t be shy, participate (in Dutch!)
Perhaps one of the biggest hurdles when it comes to learning a language is confidence. The process of learning Dutch inevitably involves speaking it very poorly — and many of us are not up for that constant hit to our egos.
Practicing your skills in the real world is often forgotten. Using a language doesn’t usually take place online. This means that putting your skills to the test in the real world is still a very important element.
Put all that theory into practice and try and complete your interactions with your barista or cashier in Dutch. What’s great about these kinds of conversations is that they are “dead ended,” meaning that they’re not only predictable but also limited given the circumstances.
This way, you don’t need to fear running out of things to say and you can also get over your fear of messing up in front of natives.
Take advantage of the flexibility of online lessons
What’s great about online lessons is that you can suit them to your schedule. Are you a night owl who feels most productive after dinner? Schedule an evening lesson. Are you an early bird? Get yourself that morning time slot!
This is an element of online learning that students could really stand to benefit from. Make the most of the flexibility that online lessons offer. Don’t stick to the model of lessons at a fixed time that isn’t convenient. Instead, plan lessons when you’ll be most focused and ready to give it your all.
Find yourself a nice quiet corner
This one may be obvious, but just remember that while it’s great to find yourself at home, you don’t need to be in the middle of your house’s latest drama segment.
Did someone find a mouse in the kitchen? That’s unfortunate, best to study in your room. Did one housemate slap the other? Golly, you’d better remove yourself before the furniture goes flying — and you lose your concentration on de vs het.
After all, you have limited cognitive resources and who wants to waste them on household drama?
Learn actively
However, just because you may find yourself precariously close to your bed, this doesn’t mean you should burrow yourself into the sheets and watch your lesson.
There are two types of screen time: passive and active. Passive screen time is when you can embrace your inner couch potato, whereas active screen time is — you guessed it — when you’re more alert and take in more information.
It’s important to make sure your screen time when learning Dutch online is active, and the best way to ensure this is through both your mind and body.
Try to treat online lessons like offline lessons and make sure you’re body posture and attitude reflect a learning intention. Both posture and attitude greatly influence the brain’s ability to take up new information.
Add offline learning to your online learning
It is also important to remember that learning actively often includes taking things off the screen during a lesson. Many studies have shown the benefit of handwriting over typing in terms of memory consolidation. Our brains are far more likely to remember something if we write it down as opposed to typing it out.
It’s also great to remind yourself that your learning doesn’t stop once you close your laptop. Make sure to post handy post-it notes on your household items. This directly wires the object to the Dutch word in your brain.
You can also throw some stickers up next to your bathroom mirror. Dutch is Dutch — even if it’s spoken with a mouthful of toothpaste.
Turn off Google Translate
Online learning doesn’t just happen during a lesson, it’s also every time you open a webpage or look something up. Challenge yourself to understand Dutch by disabling your trusty friend Google Translate.
This one is going to be hard, but grab yourself a strong coffee, click that button and try to spend some time immersed in the Dutch web. You’ll be surprised at how much you can understand with a bit of blinking and squinting.
Make the most of your tools
Unlike Google Translate, your computer can also offer some helpful tools when it comes to learning Dutch. Take streaming services such as Netflix for example. Search for films/series in Dutch and challenge yourself. Watching Dutch Netflix with Dutch subtitles is extra learning time without the extra effort.
If you’re seriously doubting your abilities you can always opt for English subtitles! You could also go vice versa and watch shows in your native tongue with Dutch subtitles.
Record and review (with permission)
In keeping with this theme, you can also ask your teachers if it is okay to record their online lesson. This way, you can look back over the lesson when revising your notes. Certain services allow you to screen record — just always make sure to ask for permission!
Make a schedule — and stick to it!
Draw yourself up a daily schedule. Decide what you are going to learn and let it be something that adds to some semblance of structure in your life.
Set goals and celebrate milestones
In drawing up a schedule, you can also set goals for yourself. Even better? You can set the goals together with your teacher so that you can focus on learning anything that you may need specifically.
Make sure your goals are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound.
Learning Dutch can be challenging but it’s also rewarding — and it’s important not to forget that. Did you achieve everything you wanted this week? Celebrate with a doughnut! Be kind to yourself and acknowledge your mad skills.
Find a tutor that is right for you
Learning Dutch is a service that you pay for, so you should also make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Does their teaching style suit your learning style? Do the two of you see eye to eye when it comes to what it is you want to learn? Do you get along?
All of these elements play a key role when it comes to how much you enjoy the lessons and how quickly you can make progress.
Making sure that your teacher fits you in terms of your learning style, their personality and the like is important not only to make sure that the lessons best suit you and will lead to fast progress. It’s also key in terms of making learning fun. Your Dutch tutor is ultimately there to help you, make sure you found yourself the right one!
There are good reasons why you should embrace online Dutch courses. For example, you don’t have to worry about missing your bus, or getting stuck in the rain.
Online classes also don’t require you to be in the same country as your tutor. Thanks to their flexibility, you never have to miss a lesson and you can always stay up to date with your Dutch learning, wherever in the world you are.
What are your best tips for learning Dutch online? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
Feature Image: Julia M Cameron/Pexels
