Many people in the Netherlands speak English. Indeed, most Dutch children start learning the language in primary school, and take it as a compulsory subject in secondary school, and many elementary schools have begun teaching it as well. It should therefore not come as a surprise that expats who speak English can get by in the Netherlands without speaking Dutch. However, if you really want to integrate into Dutch society, you should consider learning the language.
About the Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the official language of the Netherlands. It is also the native language of most inhabitants of Belgium and Suriname and the official language of the Caribbean islands Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten. In the European Union, about 25 million people speak Dutch as a first language. Another 5 million speak Dutch as a second language.
Why learn Dutch?
From registering at the city hall to taking out health insurance, and from opening a bank account to completing tax returns, many newly-arrived expats will be pleased to discover that it's possible to complete most administrative and daily tasks in the Netherlands without speaking a word of Dutch.
Indeed, since Dutch people speak such excellent English - and are prone to switch to English whenever they hear a foreign accent attempting Dutch - and since Dutch is often considered to be a difficult language to learn, with tricky pronunciations and many exceptions to grammar and spelling rules, it may feel like there is little use in learning Dutch.
However, the only way to take your experience of life in the Netherlands up a level, to truly integrate and feel masterful in interactions with neighbours, colleagues and public service employees, is to learn Dutch. Depending on your nationality, you may even be required to learn Dutch as a condition of your residence permit (a process known as civic integration).
On top of this, even though some Dutch companies operate in English, the language of social interaction is often Dutch. Being able to speak some of the local language will therefore greatly improve your chances of finding a job. The good news is that, since Dutch is one of the closest relatives to English, you should be able to pick up the language relatively quickly if you are able to speak English.
Dutch language certification
There are several different kinds of Dutch language certification, depending on whether you are looking to get certified from abroad, or are taking exams within the Netherlands. Learn about the NT2 and CNaVT exams, and the proficiency levels used by authorities in the Netherlands, in our guide to Dutch language certification.
Dutch courses
Are you interested in learning Dutch? Take a look at these Dutch language schools that offer lessons to suit all different abilities. You can opt for in-person classes or take an online course for more flexibility.
Brush up on your English
After Dutch, English is the second-most important language in the Netherlands. Indeed, it is the langauge spoken at most international companies. Being able to speak Dutch and English is therefore a highly sought-after skill. If you are coming to study in the Netherlands for a course taught in English, you may even need to prove that your English ability is up to the task.
English courses
If you are looking to brush up on your English, you can browse our selection of English courses in cities across the Netherlands.
German courses
Interested in learning German or improving your German skills? The Netherlands' proximity to Germany, Europe's biggest economy, means that learning German could be a good asset.