Updated: 05. Jan, 2023
So, you want to learn Dutch. That’s awesome! Learning a new foreign language isn’t always a simple task. However, Dutch is a fun language, and it is easy for English speakers to become fluent quickly. Whether trying to learn the language for a holiday trip or just because you’re interested, Dutch is not as daunting as you may have previously assumed.
Before now, you may have had to enroll in a language school, read books and other materials, or hire a tutor to learn Dutch. Thankfully, there are tons of language apps these days that allow you to learn any language you’re interested in from your comfort zone. With some of these apps, you can learn Dutch at different levels as they expose you to vocabulary, sentence construction, writing & speaking, and much more.
This article points you in the right direction of some of the best apps for learning the Dutch language. We’ve narrowed the options to ten apps that simplify the learning process and ensure you have fun while at it. So, let’s get started!
Have you been discouraged from learning a new language because of bulky textbooks and other tools that offer little assistance? Not to worry! There are excellent applications that can come to your rescue. Many apps have revolutionized the way you can learn Dutch. However, here are our top recommendations for beginners:
Babbel is the best app that can help you kick off your journey of learning Dutch. This app is packed with a wide variety of topics and tools that make it excellent for any level of learning. From the moment you install Babbel, it tries to get a sense of your proficiency in Dutch, your learning goals, etc., to curate a personalized learning experience.
Babbel was designed by language experts. It has more than 40 Dutch courses, which comprise 2,000 words and 200+ sentences you could use in daily interaction. Babbel’s Dutch courses are very interactive and help you practice and develop your listening, speaking, and writing skills quickly. The app also offers courses on Dutch grammar, pronunciation, traditions, and everyday words & phrases that people use while traveling or in workspaces. In addition, Babbel stands out for its practical vocabulary and grammar lessons. So, you would learn words that locals speak daily instead of just random things.
Furthermore, Babbel promotes learning through various forms, including flashcards, listening, speaking, and writing exercises. You can also tune in to educational podcasts or live lessons with experienced professors. With Babbel’s design, you’re sure to learn Dutch fast and easy as long as you’re committed to it.
Visit babbel to learn more about its featuresRosetta Stone is one of the most efficient language learning apps and is one of the best apps to learn Dutch. This app has won several awards thanks to its resources and innovative teaching methods, such as its “acquisition” model. In addition, Rosetta Stone provides an immersive learning process right from the first lesson.
This app will teach you the foundations of the Dutch language and provide a structure for developing your vocabulary. By the end of the course, you should be able to interact confidently in Dutch. As a beginner, you can choose to begin your lessons from the Dutch alphabet and go through different stages at your pace. However, if you already know some Dutch, you can also decide where to begin.
Rosetta Stone allows you to create a lesson plan based on your learning goals. Its lessons can be as long as 10 minutes and incorporate pictures and videos. So, you may hardly notice the time going by quickly. Rosetta Stone also allows you to take your lessons offline.
Visit rosetta stone to learn more about its featuresIf you’re interested in a fun way to learn Dutch quickly, Mondly is a wonderful choice. It is a reliable app that uses various course materials, including chatbots, augmented reality (AR), and immersive exercises. In addition, Mondly is a beginner-friendly app.
Mondly offers over 40 languages, including Dutch. The whole learning process is like playing an educational game. You can learn Dutch through simple short daily lessons. You progress to new levels when you successfully finish the prior one. Through this process, Mondly teaches you essential vocabulary and grammar.
Furthermore, Mondly contains challenges, audio guides, augmented reality, and chatbot conversations. The chatbot feature is remarkable because it helps you learn and practice speaking Dutch instead of just typing your responses. In addition, Mondly is flexible enough for you to choose the lessons you’re interested in. As a result, you’ll have a fair knowledge of the language at the end of your Dutch course.
Visit mondly to learn more about its featuresBusuu is another excellent app that can help you learn Dutch fast but in a natural way. This app balances learning the language at your pace and having a more organized school setting. Busuu is perfect for people new to learning Dutch or trying to improve their proficiency.
It uses flashcards, quizzes, audio dialogue, and conversation practice to teach vocabulary, pronunciation, and other vital aspects of the Dutch language. Additionally, Busuu lets you decide how much time you’re willing to commit to your study, and you can also set reminders to hold yourself accountable.
Furthermore, you can interact with other learners like you on Busuu. This is an excellent way to practice, share tips, and connect with people from different parts of the world. Finally, at the end of your learning, you can take an exam on Busuu to determine your proficiency level.
Visit busuu to learn more about its featuresDuolingo is arguably the best free app to learn Dutch with. More than 1 million users are learning Dutch on this app. Duolingo isn’t just popular because it’s free; it offers a fun and engaging learning experience.
This is an app that teaches Dutch in a simple and fun way that beginners appreciate. Although you get to decide what level you can start your lessons for, Duolingo is more suitable for anyone picking up Dutch for the first time. It has a gamified interface with written and audio practices. At the end of each task, instant feedback and rewards are designed to keep you motivated.
Duolingo’s lessons and exercises are more inclined towards teaching Dutch vocabulary and basic grammar. This app isn’t packed with many courses, but it is a great tool to add alongside other online Dutch courses or textbooks. However, you can reach the intermediate level quickly through consistent practice.
Visit duolingo to learn more about its featuresPimsleur is one of the best apps to learn Dutch, especially if you want to master pronunciations early on. The whole app is designed to help you improve your speaking and listening skills. Pimsleur lessons are audio and contain regular conversations between Dutch speakers that professionals have broken down.
This language app uses SRS (Spaced Repetition System) audio-based method to gradually teach you Dutch words and phrases. This helps you recall words longer. With Pimsleur, your lesson begins with you listening to a conversation and then breaking it down into smaller bits as the lessons progress.
Pimsleur’s Dutch course is made up of 30-minute audio lessons. However, these can be followed up with quizzes, flashcards, and other helpful learning materials. Although Pimsleur is more focused on teaching via audio, it also helps you improve how you read with pronunciation and accent.
Visit pimsleur to learn more about its featuresThis app is designed to help you learn to speak and write Dutch like a native speaker. Memrise comes with tons of flashcards for you to learn Dutch vocabulary fast and easily. Native Dutch speakers handpick all the words and phrases you’ll learn. So, you will learn stuff you need, not just random things.
In addition, Memrise is full of thousands of videos by native speakers that can help you improve your pronunciation. So, whether you’re already fluent or still a beginner, there’s something you can learn on the app. Memrise has a beautiful interface with vocabulary lectures, quizzes, and visual aids.
Furthermore, Memrise is popular because it provides the opportunity to learn about every subject in Dutch. For example, the flashcard decks cover Academic Dutch, conjunctions, food, travel, and other exciting topics. Memrise courses are centered on conversational Dutch. They include lessons like introducing yourself, making jokes, and even going through a restaurant’s menu.
Visit memrise to learn more about its featuresA proven way to learn Dutch, or any other foreign language, is to engage yourself through speaking and writing. Thankfully, italki helps you do just that. It is one of the best apps for learning Dutch because it connects you to professional and community tutors.
italki is different from other language learning apps because you get to learn directly from native speakers that help you develop your vocabulary and grammar. In no time, you will also be able to speak Dutch. In addition, italki has a lot of teachers that specialize in teaching kids, beginners, adults, or people learning Dutch for business or travel. Teachers use different methods, but the typical resources include text documents, flashcards, presentations, videos, and audio files.
italki allows you to choose the tutor that meets your requirements. In addition, you get to watch their introductory videos and check out other student reviews. italki gives you control over your learning journey, and it is pretty compelling.
Visit italki to learn more about its featuresDrops is another fantastic language app that lets you learn Dutch for free. Its beautiful design makes it intuitive to use and navigate easily. Drops is also one of the best apps to learn Dutch easily and fast.
The app requires you to commit to only five minutes daily, and you’ll get to learn how to read and speak Dutch through elaborate illustrations and immersive lessons. Drops has thousands of Dutch words and phrases you can learn. These are split into various topics that you may have an interest in. This way, you can learn relevant vocabulary related to household appliances, politics, sports, entertainment, etc.
Drops uses animations to make it easier for you to learn words and phrases. Then, you can practice all you’ve learned through various fun games and activities. Drops also uses spaced repetition to make sure words stick.
Visit drops to learn more about its featuresOur last recommendation is LingQ. Although it comes last on our list, LingQ is a top-rated language learning app. It is one of the best apps to learn Dutch for independent students that want to decide how they learn.
LingQ curates its lessons from native Dutch content such as videos, books, podcasts, etc. It makes it so easy to learn that if you come across a word you’re not familiar with, you can simply click on it. This will display more information on the word, such as its definition, its use in multiple contexts, and other content where you can find the word.
You can import your Dutch content to LingQ and create your lessons. This is one feature that most apps lack.
Visit LingQ to learn more about its featuresChoosing an app to learn Dutch can be tricky, especially when you have no idea what to look out for. However, here are a couple of things you should consider before making a choice:
You can only use an app to learn Dutch if it teaches Dutch or offers courses effectively. Also, you should ensure the app provides lessons suitable for your current proficiency level and the level you wish to attain.
Another thing you should consider is if the app you’re considering requires some form of subscription before you can learn. If you can afford to spend some money to learn the language, there are top-rated apps that are worth every penny you’d spend to gain access to educational resources. Similarly, there are wonderful free Dutch language apps that are just as effective as the paid ones. You can go through our list to find one that suits you.
Before you settle on an app, it makes sense to check out all its teaching resources. Language apps typically use games, quizzes, podcasts, audio recordings, videos, animations, and others.
The easiest and fastest way to learn Dutch is to use one of the best language learning apps and practice consistently. Top-rated apps like Babbel, Rosetta Stone, and Pimsleur teach you how to speak the language faster than you may expect. Also, apps like italki can connect you with professional Dutch tutors for more intense teaching.
Yes, Dutch is an easy language to learn. The US State Department classifies Dutch as a Category 1 language that takes about 30 weeks for one to learn and become proficient. This means that English speakers will have a relatively easy time learning the language.
No, unfortunately, LingoPie doesn’t offer Dutch lessons. Although the app is excellent for several other languages, you’ll have to look elsewhere to learn Dutch. Our top recommendations include Babbel, Rosetta Stone, Busuu, Mondly, Pimsleur, etc.
Yes, you can. However, you need to choose an app that focuses on helping you improve the way you speak Dutch. Babbel is the best app you can use to get better at speaking Dutch. It offers many resources and exercises to help you speak the language like a native.
Learning a new language doesn’t have to be complicated. With any of the language learning apps we’ve highlighted in this review, you should be able to learn Dutch in a breeze. They add convenience, beauty, and fun to the process. Also, many of these apps won’t cost you a dime. So, go ahead and install one or two of these apps and learn Dutch fast and easy!