From Beginner to Intermediate: My 90-Day Dutch Language Journey

I feel incredibly fortunate to call both #India and the #Netherlands my home. Each country has played a significant role in shaping who I am today. From the rich cultural heritage and traditions of India to the welcoming and innovative spirit of the Netherlands, I carry the best of both worlds with me every day.

Looking back on nearly a decade, my journey from India to the Netherlands has been filled with learning, growth, and countless cherished memories. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities and experiences that both countries have provided me. Each has uniquely contributed to my identity, shaping who I am today.

As I continue to embrace my life here in the Netherlands, I always hold a special place in my heart for India. The values, traditions, and connections from both countries are integral parts of my story, and I am proud to celebrate them both.

So why all this blah, blah, blah...? From the day I landed in this beautiful country, the #Netherlands, almost a decade ago, I've dreamt of speaking Dutch fluently, just like my local friends. During a team activity, I was chatting with my Dutch colleague and a good friend Menthe Helmens , along with my other friends Suresh Yadav Devarala & AJAY UNKAL . We were discussing my mother tongue, #Tamil, and their native languages, #Telugu and #Marathi. When I showed Menthe Helmens the scripts of India's languages, she looked like she had just seen an alien alphabet. But Menthe, don't worry—Dutch has always felt like that to me! If I could speak Dutch fluently, it would feel like winning a Nobel Prize for world peace.

Speaking of language mishaps, I once tried to order a simple coffee in Dutch and ended up asking for a "koffie met muisjes" (coffee with sprinkles). The barista gave me the most confused look ever! Turns out, "muisjes" are those tiny sugar-coated anise seeds you put on bread, not something you'd want in your coffee. Lesson learned!

And then there was the time I tried to compliment someone on their cooking. Instead of saying "lekker" (tasty), I said "lek" (leak). So there I was, telling them their food was leaking. They laughed so hard, and I was just glad they didn't take it personally!

All these years, it's been a journey filled with trials and errors. I'm not a perfectionist—I always start strong, but consistency is my kryptonite. However, getting back on track is something I can always do, hahaha.

So, what's next? We hear about GenAI everywhere. Even my 3-year-old niece, Samanya, says, "Sanku, ChatGPT ????? ???? ??" Sometimes, the universe gives us signs and guides us. Do you agree?

Today, I came across an article from indianexpress.com and decided to give it a try with Microsoft Copilot . This is what Microsoft Co-Pilot provided me, and I was truly impressed with the detailed plan it generated based on the prompt (I adapted it from French to Dutch). I'm going to give this a shot and hope to publish a video of me speaking Dutch by the end of Q1 2025. Fingers crossed. Wish me good luck!

Here's a comprehensive three-month plan to help you achieve intermediate fluency in Dutch. This plan focuses on speaking, listening, and writing, with daily activities, time schedules, milestone tracking, and recommended resources.

Month 1: Foundations

Daily Activities

• Morning (30 minutes):

Textbook: Use "Dutch in 3 Months with Free Audio App"

App: Duolingo or Babbel for vocabulary and basic grammar (15 minutes).

• Afternoon (30 minutes):

Listening: Listen to DutchPod101 beginner lessons

• Evening (30 minutes):

Writing: Write a short paragraph about your day in Dutch. Use a dictionary to help with new words.

Weekly Milestones

• Week 1: Basic greetings, introductions, and common phrases.
• Week 2: Numbers, days of the week, and simple sentences.
• Week 3: Basic grammar (present tense verbs, articles).
• Week 4: Simple conversations and questions.

Month 2: Building Proficiency

Daily Activities

• Morning (45 minutes):

Textbook: Continue with "Dutch in 3 Months with Free Audio App"

App: Clozemaster for sentence practice (15 minutes).

• Afternoon (45 minutes):
• Listening: Watch Dutch TV shows or YouTube channels with subtitles (e.g., "Klokhuis" or "NPO Start").
• Evening (45 minutes): Speaking: Practice speaking with a language partner on italki or Tandem. Aim for 15-20 minutes of conversation.

Weekly Milestones

• Week 5: More complex sentences, past tense verbs.
• Week 6: Describing people, places, and things.
• Week 7: Intermediate grammar (future tense, modal verbs).
• Week 8: Holding longer conversations, understanding spoken Dutch better.

Month 3: Achieving Fluency

Daily Activities

• Morning (1 hour):
• Textbook: Finish "Dutch in 3 Months with Free Audio App"
• App: Anki for spaced repetition of vocabulary.
• Afternoon (1 hour):
• Listening: Listen to Dutch podcasts (e.g., "Echt Gebeurd" or "Zeg Het in Het Nederlands").
• Evening (1 hour):
• Writing: Write essays or diary entries in Dutch. Get feedback from a tutor or language partner.

Weekly Milestones

• Week 9: Advanced grammar (subjunctive, conditional).
• Week 10: Discussing abstract topics, expressing opinions.
• Week 11: Understanding native speakers in various contexts.
• Week 12: Preparing for a B1 level language test (if desired).

Additional Resources

• Textbooks: "Colloquial Dutch" by Bruce Donaldson.
• Apps: Memrise, Quizlet for additional vocabulary practice.
• Websites: DutchGrammar.com for detailed grammar explanations.
• Tutors: italki, Preply for personalized lessons.

Tracking Progress

• Daily: Keep a journal of new words and phrases learned.
• Weekly: Record yourself speaking to track pronunciation improvements.
• Monthly: Take an online Dutch proficiency test to measure progress.

By following this plan, you'll build a strong foundation in Dutch and steadily progress towards intermediate fluency. Good luck, and enjoy your language learning journey! ??

And if you see me ordering "koffie met muisjes" again, just smile and know I'm still on my journey! ??