Our Beginners’ Dutch Course: What to expect?

by Christy - NT2 Dutch language trainer at TRIPLLLE Language & Location Lessons

Posted February 19, 2025

In 2011, I transitioned from a Supply Chain office job to working as a freelance NT2 Dutch language trainer. It was an exciting step, and I have never regretted it. Teaching Dutch to expats is incredibly enjoyable and energizing. I help them learn Dutch, and in return, I learn a lot from them—about traditions and customs in their home countries and how these differ from the Dutch culture.

When I tell people that I teach Dutch, I often get asked how I approach it. Where do you start when someone doesn't speak a word of Dutch? Actually, it’s not as complicated as it might seem. We start at the very beginning—often with the first step in any conversation with a stranger: introducing yourself. "I am Christy, and I am from the Netherlands." That’s where it all begins, and from there, we start building vocabulary and knowledge.

What is covered in a Beginners' Dutch Course?

To make steady progress, we follow a structured approach at TRIPLLLE. A beginners' course typically includes fifteen online lessons. Our goal is to progress from A0 (absolute beginner) to A1 (beginner plus) during this time. We focus on acquiring basic Dutch grammar knowledge, but more importantly, on building a vocabulary for everyday use. We use a textbook, but during the lessons we also engage in spontaneous conversations based on topics relevant to the participants.

Practical lessons for everyday situations

Recently, one of my students mentioned that her rental contract was expiring and that she would soon visit a Dutch real estate agent to find a new home. We combined this topic with Dutch prepositions of place, making it a highly practical lesson. She learned how to ask the real estate agent about the layout of the house and describe different rooms in Dutch, for example: "Is the bedroom located on the ground floor, next to the bathroom?

A few weeks later, another student told me that his bike was broken and that he needed to go to the bike repair shop. During that lesson, we discussed relevant vocabulary and practiced a conversation with the bike mechanic. The following week, the student enthusiastically shared that he had practiced his Dutch at the repair shop and that the conversation had gone well!

These examples illustrate that a beginners' course is primarily focused on Dutch for everyday situations. By the end of the course, participants can order food in a restaurant, have a conversation at the doctor's office, and engage in small talk with friends and colleagues, such as talking about their weekend.

Tips for successful learning

Learning a language takes time. That’s why I encourage students to dedicate time to homework and self-study outside of class. Here are some useful tips:
✔ Set a goal for yourself, for example: learn at least ten new words every day.
✔ Listen to Dutch music or podcasts.
✔ Practice conversations in Dutch, for example, at the bakery or supermarket.
✔ Watch Dutch television with Dutch subtitles to improve your listening and reading skills!

Would you like to start learning Dutch? Get in touch and find out which course suits you best!