My Dutch language journey
I started with this completely new language for me less than a year ago. Few days ago I got the B1 level certificate. I continue working hard to get fluent in it. I hope that by summer I will get there.
Jan 2019 - moved into the Netherlands
Feb 2019 - started course for complete beginners
Jul 2019 - A2 level certificate
Sep 2019 - started course for intermediates
Feb 2020 - B1 level certificate
Feb 2020 - started course for advanced to get fluent
What I do to improve my Dutch:
Follow courses. Do my homework. I spend 2 hours a week at class and about 3 hours a week with my homework.
Conversation clubs. We meet there with people, who also want to practise and talk about various topics.
Use it every time possible. I try to use Dutch for all the following things - small talk with neighbours, speaking with teachers at school, at dentist or at doctor checking development of my children, at market and supermarket, making appointments at doctors via phone, at art and swimming classes of my children.
Read. I started with my very first Dutch book already in July 2019. I haven’t finished that book yet but it doesn’t matter. I borrowed some books in simple Dutch so I can more easily read through them.
Read children books out loud to my children. This actually improves Dutch of all of us.
Listen to songs.
Sing. We sing Dutch children songs at home. I also downloaded lyrics of some songs I like and learned to play them on my ukulele.
