The Language That Unlocks Northern Europe.
Dutch is spoken by 24 million people across the Netherlands and Belgium, and is among the easiest languages for English speakers to learn. Expert teachers for every level and goal.
Why Learn Dutch?
Netherlands + Belgium
Dutch is the official language of both the Netherlands and the majority of Belgium (Flanders), covering two of Europe's wealthiest regions.
Easiest for English Speakers
Dutch and English share Germanic roots — cognates, word order, and pronunciation patterns make Dutch one of the fastest languages to pick up for native English speakers.
Business Gateway
Rotterdam is Europe's largest port; Amsterdam a global finance hub. Dutch is the working language of thousands of multinationals, banks, and logistics companies.
Culture & Lifestyle
Dutch Golden Age art, modern design, progressive culture, and one of Europe's highest quality of life rankings. Learning Dutch means truly belonging.
English Speakers Already Know Hundreds of Dutch Words
Dutch and English share a huge Germanic vocabulary. Here are three examples that show how close the two languages are:
Identical spelling — different pronunciation (Dutch: /vah-ter/)
Same Germanic root — the Dutch 'ui' is the only new sound
One letter shift — a pattern repeated in dozens of common words
Choose Your Dutch Learning Path
Netherlands Dutch
Standard Dutch as spoken in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague. The most widely taught variety, understood across the Dutch-speaking world.
Belgian Dutch (Flemish)
Flemish Dutch from Antwerp, Ghent, and Brussels. Softer sounds and distinct vocabulary — essential if you live or work in Belgium.
Business Dutch
Professional language for meetings, contracts, and corporate communication in the Netherlands or Flanders.
Heritage Dutch
Reconnect with family language or build on childhood Dutch. Heritage-focused teachers help you move from understanding to confident speaking.
Meet Our Dutch Teachers
Netherlands Dutch & NT2 Exam Prep
Flemish Dutch & Belgian Culture
Heritage Dutch & Expat Integration
Dutch Proficiency Levels: NT2 / CNaVT / Staatsexamen
| CEFR | Exam | What You Can Do |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | — | Familiar phrases, basic introductions, simple questions. Understand very slow speech. |
| A2 | — | Daily routines, simple transactions, short texts. The foundation for NT2 Programme I. |
| B1 | NT2 Prog I / CNaVT OGOM | Communicate in familiar situations, understand news on known topics. |
| B2 | NT2 Prog II / CNaVT PTHO | Fluent conversation, professional emails, understanding Dutch TV without subtitles. |
| C1 | Staatsexamen NT2 II | Complex professional and academic Dutch. Near-native reading comprehension. |
| C2 | — | Full native-equivalent fluency. Understand regional dialects and literary Dutch. |
Your 4-Week Dutch Starter Plan
Sound System
- ✓The Dutch 'g', 'r', 'ui', 'ij' sounds
- ✓Greetings: Hallo, Hoe gaat het?
- ✓Numbers, days, simple nouns
- ✓2 × 50-min lessons + pronunciation audio daily
Present Tense & Articles
- ✓De vs het articles (and a trick to remember them)
- ✓Present tense conjugation (-en verbs)
- ✓Shopping, ordering food, transport
- ✓2 × 50-min lessons + Dutch podcast 10 min daily
Sentences & Time
- ✓Word order: V2 rule explained simply
- ✓Past tense: hebben and zijn
- ✓Telling time, making appointments
- ✓2 × 50-min lessons + Dutch YouTube 10 min daily
Confidence
- ✓5-minute free conversation
- ✓Read a simple Dutch news headline
- ✓Review gaps; set NT2 / B1 roadmap with teacher
- ✓2 × 50-min lessons + level test
Frequently Asked Questions
How similar is Dutch to Afrikaans?
Dutch and Afrikaans share around 90% of their vocabulary and are mutually intelligible in writing for much of the core vocabulary. Afrikaans grammar is simpler (no grammatical gender, simpler conjugation), but Dutch has richer vocabulary and stronger international use. Learning Dutch gives you a significant head-start with Afrikaans.
What is the difference between Netherlands Dutch and Belgian Dutch (Flemish)?
The vocabulary, spelling, and grammar are the same — the differences are mostly phonological and cultural. Dutch in the Netherlands tends to be more clipped and direct; Flemish sounds softer and more melodic, and uses different everyday words (e.g. 'kot' for bedroom in Flemish vs. 'kamer' in Netherlands Dutch). Standard Dutch (AN) is understood everywhere.
How long does it take to learn Dutch as an English speaker?
Dutch is classified by the US Foreign Service Institute as a Category I language — approximately 600–750 class hours to professional proficiency. English speakers typically reach conversational B1 in 150–250 hours, making Dutch one of the most accessible foreign languages available.
Is it more important to focus on speaking or writing first?
For most learners, speaking first delivers faster real-world results — especially for integration in the Netherlands or Belgium. Dutch spelling is highly regular, so reading and writing follow naturally once you have a solid spoken foundation. Your teacher can tailor the balance to your specific goals.
Start your Dutch journey today
24 expert teachers. Every level. Trial lesson from $1.