Read Dutch books and improve your Dutch
Do you like reading good books and does this seem like a great way to improve your Dutch? It could be that you find many Dutch books just a bit too difficult to follow properly. You could read with a dictionary in hand, but that may not exactly be relaxing. So, what can you do?
1. Read children's books
Iranian refugee Kader Abdolah learned Dutch by reading books written by Annie M.G. Schmidt. He has since become a celebrated Dutch writer, who writes his books in Dutch rather than in his native language.
2. Read adult literature in simplified form
Publishing company Eenvoudig Communiceren (‘Simple Communication’) has launched the Leeslicht (Reading Light) book series. In these books, famous novels are retold in simpler language. A couple of examples include The Girl on the Train (Het meisje in de trein) by Paula Hawkins, and In Broad Daylight (Op klaarlichte dag), originally written in Dutch by Simone van der Vlugt.
3. First read the book in your native language
Make sure you know the story before reading a book in Dutch. First read the book in your mother tongue, and then in Dutch. If you really want to do it right, listen to the audiobook.
Of course, you can pick up books in bookstores or order them online, but check out your local library, too. You'll not only find a wide variety of books there, but it's also an inexpensive way to read a lot of them.
Related topics
Learning a language with a pen in hand
Why would you still use a pen and paper to make notes or write text? Nowadays, you can use the most advanced apps and programs to take notes, edit text, share documents—you name it—on a smartphone, tablet or computer. At Language Institute Regina Coeli, we are also naturally at home in the digital world, and e-learning is a part of every language course. And yet it pays to regularly write the old-fashioned way. We even encourage it in our language courses!
Speak Dutch with me
Expats in the Netherlands who want to speak better Dutch are better off asking Dutch people to speak Dutch with them. Not to make it easier—most Dutch people can easily switch to English and enjoy speaking the language—but to get better in the language. Even the best Dutch course is no substitute for what you can learn in practice. You have to log the hours!
Tips for improving your Dutch pronounciation
Dutch pronunciation frequently poses challenges for non-native Dutch speakers. The challenges depend on your mother tongue. The language you grew up with actually impacts the way the muscles of your mouth work, as well as what feels right in terms of pronunciation. Pronunciation training is an integral aspect of any Dutch course at Language Institute Regina Coeli, and for good reason. But you can also continue working on your pronunciation afterwards!
Would you like to learn more?
Do you want to speak Dutch well? Then Language Institute Regina Coeli is the place to be. You can rapidly improve your Dutch skills with us at Regina Coeli. Read more about our method and the Dutch courses.
Do you require more information? Please contact us!
