ACCESS NL > Education in the Netherlands > Learning Dutch > General questions on learning Dutch > It is not compulsory for me to learn Dutch but I would like to learn it. Can you suggest some good language institutes and learning centres for me?

General questions on learning Dutch

I am an expat. Are there any government subsidised Dutch language courses available?

Is it important to learn Dutch? I am in doubt as to whether I should learn Dutch as everyone here seems to speak English.

What is the most effective way for me to learn Dutch? I am not a natural linguist, so I might find it hard to learn Dutch.

It is not compulsory for me to learn Dutch but I would like to learn it. Can you suggest some good language institutes and learning centres for me?

There are many language schools in the Netherlands, offering everything from basic survival Dutch to courses that prepare you for proficiency exams.

There are several types of language institutes in the Netherlands:

  • Private language schools
  • Language departments within privately-run schools for the expat community
  • Dutch public universities (volksuniversiteiten)
  • ROCs (Regionaal Opleidings Centrum)

Course levels range from A1 (beginner) to C1/C2  (near native) and some providers also include specific courses which are tailored for certain professions. Some schools are accredited. You can use the ‘language-learning.net’ website to locate a Dutch language school near to you; it is limited to universities.

Who can attend classes at a volksuniversiteit?

Can I teach myself Dutch?

Is there any organisation that can help me practice my Dutch and help me feel at home?