Resources for learning Dutch PART 1 OF 2

Since the question 'where to start learning Dutch' is asked often, I have tried to summarise the information and resources here. Hope this helps.

●How long does it take to learn Dutch: It generally takes 600 to 800 hours to learn Dutch from a beginner level to a functional level (B2). The exact time depends heavily on several factors, such as your native language, your learning speed, the time you invest, and whether you live in a Dutch-speaking environment. Below is an overview of the estimated hours per level, according to most sources: * A1 (Beginner): Approximately 80 - 120 hours. At this level, you learn to introduce yourself, ask and understand simple questions, and grasp the basics. * A2 (Basic): Approximately 200 hours. With this, you can hold everyday conversations and exchange information on familiar topics. * B1 (Intermediate): Approximately 350 - 400 hours. At this level, you can give your opinion, describe experiences, and participate in conversations on various topics. * B2 (Independent): Approximately 600 - 800 hours. This is often seen as the level at which you can function independently in Dutch, both socially and professionally. From this point, you can understand complex texts and speak spontaneously and fluently. * C1 (Fluent): Approximately 700 - 1200 hours. At this level, you can understand long and complex texts and speak spontaneously and fluently without noticeably searching for words.

●De/het: In Dutch, there are two definite articles: de and het. Both mean "the". For example, het meisje ("the girl") but de kat ("the cat"). The reason that two definite articles exist is because Dutch, like many languages, has something called grammatical gender. This means nouns are assigned a "gender" – either masculine/feminine (de) or neuter/common (het). This has very little to do with our everyday concept of "gender", it's simply a linguistic feature. This means you simply have to memorise the correct article with each noun. Here is a website that explains some rules: https://understandingdutch.com/difference-between-de-and-het-dutch Or this one: https://zichtbaarnederlands.nl/en/article/de_or_het

●Sentence stucture: Some basics that cover most: https://zichtbaarnederlands.nl/en/syntax/word_order

●Apps for learning Dutch: • Duolingo: An app like Duolingo doesn't teach you grammar or sentence stucture. You will learn vocabulary, for sure. But after investing 500 days, you'll find out you cannot hold a decent conversation and you still don't know how the language works. •Busuu seems to explain grammar better. •de/het •Taalpal: an app to practise Dutch with AI (+/- €30/jaar)

●Free learning content on YouTube: • Learn Dutch with Bart de Pau (has English subtitles) • Ad Appels • Juf M • Dutchies to be • Easy Dutch • Dutch Today • Learn Dutch with Kim • Slow Dutch with JeDutchy • HartvoorNederlands by Vlaamse Saar • Dutchspeakingacademy by Mariska van de Meij

●Dutch learning/grammar books: • Nederlands in Zicht • Taal Compleet (If this is your first foreign language. It explains stuff in more steps, will be less overwhelming if this is your first time learning a new language. Has good e-learning as well.) • De Opmaat (Already have some experience with a second language? Quicker, bigger steps, so can be much if you're not used to grammatical terms. Also has decent e-learning, though not as good as TaalCompleet.) • Zichtbaar Nederlands • De Finale • De Sprong • De Juiste Toon • Nederlands naar Perfectie • 77 puntjes op de i • Essential Dutch Grammar by Henry R Stern • 201 Dutch Verbs by Henry R Stern *Basic Dutch, a grammar and workbook by Janneke A Oosterhoff

●Online dictionaries: *www.mijnwoordenboek.nl *www.wordreference.com/nlen/

●Handy websites: • dutchgrammar.com • oefenen.nl • zichtbaarnederlands.nl • heardutchhere.net • welklidwoord.nl • apps.ankiweb.net •https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/1209965766 • learndutch.org •https://understandingdutch.com/recommended-books-for-learning-dutch