Learning Dutch yourself if you have not yet had your civic integration and you are not going to school

Online you can find many free websites and apps where you can practice Dutch. Here are some tips:

• Oefenen.nl

   

On 'Oefenen.nl' you will find online language lessons at different levels. The website is available in many languages. In the Language section you will learn to pronounce, read and write Dutch words. To view the lessons you have to make an account.

• Nt2-taalmenu

   

'Nt2-taalmenu' is a website where you can practice the Dutch language from A1 level: listening, reading, writing and speaking. It also explains grammar. This website is only available in Dutch or English. But there are also videos in Arabic

• YouTube

You can also learn words and practice with language on YouTube. For example in the series Oefenen met taal.

Do you speak Farsi or Arabic?

• Then you can learn Dutch through the Karibu App. You can learn Dutch through this free app. You can download the app in the App Store

  or on Google Play
  .

Do you speak English? Then you can also use these English-language apps and online opportunities to learn Dutch:

• Duolingo

  : The Duolingo app helps you learn words, phrases and grammar. This app is free to use. Download the app on your phone or tablet in Google Play or the App store.

• Memrise

  : This app helps you learn the Dutch language with videos of real people speaking Dutch. This app is also free to use

• DutchPod101

  : Another way to learn Dutch is to listen to these podcasts, where you can listen to conversations in Dutch. You can listen to this podcast on Spotify.

• A few times a year, the University of Groningen (RUG) offers a .

Do you live in an asylum seeker's centre (AZC) of the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA)?

• Language café: Language cafés are meetings where people come together to practice Dutch. You learn to speak Dutch together with a language volunteer.

• Preparation programme for civic integration: If you live in an asylum seekers' centre, you can prepare for the civic integration. COA organises meetings and lessons for this purpose. If you participate, you can already start learning Dutch.

Many libraries in the Netherlands offer free opportunities to learn Dutch. The library can help you with the following things:

• Books: You can borrow books specifically for learning Dutch.

• Activities and language groups: Many libraries organise free activities such as language cafes or practice groups, where you can practice Dutch with others.

• Digital resources: A library card often gives you access to free e-books and online language resources.

Inquire at the library near you about options.

If you want to learn Dutch from a Dutch person, there are also organisations that can match you with a Dutch person who will help you with the language. This is called a language buddy or language volunteer. These organisations can put you in touch with a Dutch person who can help you with the language:

• Het Begint met Taal:

  This organisation helps find a language buddy near you.

• VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN)
  has language buddies. Ask your contact at VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN) how to get a language buddy.

• Many municipalities have language buddies who are willing to practice with you for free. Check with your municipality on how to contact a language buddy and whether there is a language café.