Many expats in the Netherlands experience this: you start speaking Dutch, and the local immediately responds in English. While this can be frustrating, it's usually well-intentioned. Understanding why it happens and how to respond is crucial for improving your Dutch skills.
Learning a language doesn't always have to happen in a classroom. Some of the most natural language learning moments happen on the couch, when you're watching a good series, listening closely, and slowly starting to understand more and more.
When your mind relaxes, your language starts to flow.
If you want to speak Dutch confidently, there's one truth you'll need to make peace with: you can't become fluent without making mistakes.
When learners tell me they want to speak Dutch fluently, they often imagine long, deep conversations about politics, philosophy, or culture. But the truth is: fluency doesn't start there. It starts with the tiny, ordinary interactions that fill your day.
Have you ever had this moment? You're in a shop, the cashier asks you a simple question in Dutch, and your brain freezes. You know the words, but they seem to line up in English first, waiting to be translated. By the time you've found the Dutch version, the moment is gone.
When people tell me they want to speak Dutch, I often ask them: "How much Dutch do you listen to?"
