If Dutch isn’t your first language, you might find you need to take a Dutch language proficiency test. This test may seem straightforward, but learning to write and speak in a sophisticated and eloquent manner in a new language doesn’t come easily. In order to succeed, you’ll need to put a lot of continuous effort into learning a new language, but there are some quick fixes that can help to boost your test performance at short notice.
Here are some ways to quickly improve your Dutch language skills.
Watch movies and documentaries in Dutch
Watching series on Netflix might not exactly improve your debating skills or formal register, but it helps you to understand the language better, get used to colloquial, conversational forms of Dutch and implicitly get a feeling for the language. Also, you could try to pick out words that sound highly informal and look up their more scholarly counterparts. Being exposed to a language for the length of a movie or documentary might help you to actually start thinking in Dutch.
Immerse yourself in Dutch language news
Try to sample a broad range of Dutch language newspapers, including magazines and tabloids. As well as helping you keep up to date with current affairs, this range of news sources will also expand your vocabulary. Another advantage is that you will also become more comfortable with how words are spelled and the contexts in which they are used.
Start a vocabulary book of useful words
Either in a notebook or on your computer (Quizlet) start making a list of useful words and phrases. Every time you hear or see a word you’re not familiar with, note it down. Don’t only focus on the word itself, but search for synonyms and phrases in which it’s used. After all, you might understand what the words mean, but do you know how to use them accurately?
Have conversations in Dutch
As helpful as listening and reading tasks may be, you also need to use Dutch interactively and practice your own speaking skills. If you’re lucky, you’ll be friends with a few native speakers who can help you out, but if not then try to meet up (online) with someone else studying Dutch. Another option is to talk to yourself in the mirror or record yourself. Listening to the sound of your own voice might be a little awkward at first, but you will be able to hear mistakes of which you weren’t previously aware.
Practice, practice, practice
Even if your Dutch is already quite good, you still have to practice. Try coming up with a word of the day, and then try to employ it as often as possible. If you do this, don’t waste time on extremely specific words you will never actually use. Instead, focus on conversational Dutch which is likely to be relevant in your daily life.
Stay curious
In order to improve rapidly, you should ask a lot of questions and resolve them. Don’t just read phrases. Ask why they are used in a particular way, whether other constructions are possible as well and don’t trust everything you read online. Of course, it is tempting to be content with the first answer that pops up on Google, but you’ll find more rewards if you show a bit of curiosity.
Don’t forget to have fun while you learn
If studying the Dutch language only feels like a burden, it will seem tedious, and you won’t perform as well. This is why it’s important to stay motivated and enjoy the experience of learning a new language. Find ways to add entertainment into your studies, such as playing word games with friends that will boost your critical thinking skills.
Obviously, learning a new language is a long-term project, and you can’t start from zero and write an academic paper a week later. But, when building on a decent foundation, you can achieve great results quickly if you devote yourself intensely. Try to stay focused and improve certain parts, rather than frantically trying to catch up with everything at once.
Do you need help from a professional language teacher with improving your Dutch speaking/writing/listening/reading skills? Are you ready to pass the inburgeringsexamen or Nt2 Staatsexamen? Do you want to master your Dutch this year?
Contact Dutch of Course and schedule a 15-minute meeting or book a trial lesson: info@dutchofcourse.nl
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