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.
The Dutch are known for being accommodating. They notice that your Dutch might be limited or accented and switch automatically to make communication smoother.
Many expats signal, consciously or not, that they feel more comfortable in English. Unless you explicitly ask them to continue in Dutch, they will default to English.
Even with good grammar, a strong accent often triggers the switch. Many Dutch speakers instinctively accommodate your perceived difficulty.
In fast-paced environments, people may switch to English to save time. For example, at the supermarket or in a meeting, they assume it's quicker to communicate in English.
Say:
"Ik wil graag Nederlands oefenen, als dat oké is!"
("I'd like to practise Dutch, if that's okay.")
Most people respond positively and continue in Dutch.
Even if they answer in English:
Repeat or rephrase your sentence in Dutch.
Use simple vocabulary initially, gradually increasing complexity.
Example:
You: "Kun je me vertellen waar het station is?"
Dutch person (English): "It's over there."
You: "Dank je, het station is daar?"
After a few exchanges, they usually follow your lead.
Language coaches
Fellow expats learning Dutch
Patience-based groups in libraries or community centers
Practising in a safe environment builds confidence for real-world situations.
The Dutch are direct communicators. They value clarity and efficiency.
Switching to English is rarely rude: it's practical and often intended to help.
Understanding this mindset helps reduce frustration and improves your persistence.
Join Dutch conversation groups: Weekly meetups provide structured practice.
Use daily opportunities: Supermarkets, cafés, and cycling encounters are all chances to practise.
Set personal goals: e.g., 10 Dutch sentences per day with locals.
Record and review: Listening to yourself helps identify weak points.
Celebrate success: Every interaction in Dutch, even short, is progress.
Confidence beats perfection. Even if your sentences are short or slightly incorrect, persistence ensures progress. By actively practicing Dutch and politely guiding conversations, you will notice gradual improvement and locals will increasingly respond in Dutch.
Want to train your brain to think in Dutch?
Listen to my podcast Yes, you can speak Dutch! with transcripts you can read along with. The early episodes include English support, but as you progress, the chapters become fully Dutch. A natural way to help you stop translating and start thinking like a native.
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?"
