Expats and aspiring Dutch speakers rave about this Crash Course

How much Dutch can you learn in just two weeks? A lot! The Beginner's Crash Course offered at NedLes, a language school in Amsterdam-Oost, is fast-paced and delivers impressive results. Although NedLes offers online courses that can be followed from all around the world, even people living outside the Netherlands travel to Amsterdam to practice their Dutch in this popular in person crash-course. Jagna, a Polish woman living in the United Kingdom, and Joe, an American still living in the United States, share their experiences.

"I fell in love with the Netherlands and I want to live there," Jagna says. "I don’t know yet when that will happen. But I do know that speaking Dutch is important. I’ll need it for work," she continues. "And, more importantly, I know that speaking Dutch is crucial to build meaningful connections."

Jagna had already started Dutch classes in the UK, where she lives. But she was looking for a course to consolidate her knowledge, and to use the language in real life. The Crash Course at NedLes was exactly what she needed: "It’s the best thing I could have done! It helped me build a strong foundation in Dutch, from which I can now continue learning. I gained a lot more confidence. I know so many new words, and I can express myself so much better. After just two weeks, I can have conversations about all the main topics."

During the Crash Course, Jagna stayed with a friend in the center of Amsterdam and cycled to class in Amsterdam-Oost. "Some classmates lived in Alkmaar or Utrecht. For them, commuting was also easy." She had two classes a day. In between, she and her classmates could study at the school. "But I have to say, that was a bit hard sometimes. We were such a social group! We also wanted to eat and hang out together. I mostly studied at home, in the afternoon and in the evening."

Studying is essential when you take this course, Jagna emphasizes. The Crash Course uses the Delft Method: a highly effective method developed at Delft University. It is known for its focus on speaking from day one. Students prepare for each lesson by reading and listening to a text multiple times and learning new vocabulary. In the one-hour speaking sessions, they actively use the new words. It’s an excellent way to memorise vocabulary and start speaking from the very beginning!

Jagna didn’t have experiences with the Delft Method, nor did Joe. "To be honest," Joe says, "I ended up doing the Crash Course almost by coincidence. I’d been wanting to spend King’s Day in Amsterdam for a long time, and I was looking for a short Dutch course to take afterward. I initially looked into ‘the Nuns,’ but they didn’t offer a suitable course at that time. Then I found NedLes and their Crash Course. It was perfect timing, so I decided to join. It also saved me quite a bit of money, by the way."

Joe lives in the US but has dual citizenship as he is also Dutch by heritage. His grandmother on his father’s side was born and raised in the Netherlands, and he has the intention to move there in the future. "That’s my main motivation for learning Dutch. Sometimes I feel like a fraud; I am Dutch, but I don’t speak the language! Speaking Dutch will make it so much easier to build our life there once we move."

Joe had tried to learn Dutch before, but it hadn’t gone well. "Other programs focus mostly on grammar. But I don’t want to learn all these grammatical terms, I don’t even know them in English, my native language! The Delft Method is different. Grammar is taught implicitly. You read, you listen, you speak. And then you start recognising patterns. It felt so natural and it finally clicked. I really enjoyed the classes and the method. I am so happy I discovered that learning Dutch isn’t as hard as I thought it was!"

Joe stayed in Amsterdam-Oost during the course, close to NedLes. "I didn’t know this part of the city before, so it was a great chance to explore. And I wasn’t disappointed! It’s a cool neighbourhood with lots of great places and fewer tourists than other parts of Amsterdam. I walked in the Oosterpark, discovered a Jenever distillery in the Flevopark (’t Nieuwe Diep), a true hidden gem… I really got to enjoy Dutch life and the flow of Amsterdam."

When asked what advice they’d give to others considering the Crash Course, both Jagna and Joe are enthusiastic and in complete agreement. "Go for it!’ Jagna says. "It is the best thing I have done for myself, and I didn’t regret it for a second!"

Joe adds, "This course and this method are something special. Why wait? Start learning now! You’ll make incredible progress."

Interested in joining the Crash Course or any of the other offline or online courses at NedLes? Courses are available at various levels and intensities. Check out our course calendar or book a free (online) intake!