Top Podcasts for Learning Dutch
Enhance your Dutch learning journey with podcasts. With this list of podcasts for learning Dutch, you can practice your listening skills and become better every day!
7/9/20245 min read
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In this article:
The importance of listening in language learning
Shadowing
Why choose podcasts?
Selecting the right podcasts
Top podcasts for learning Dutch
Imagine the following situation: You’re stuck in traffic, feeling frustrated and annoyed. But what if you could harness those idle minutes to improve your Dutch? A good podcast can turn any mundane moment into a wonderful learning opportunity. Many language learners have reported that regularly listening to podcasts in a foreign language improves their speaking capabilities. Scientists have also researched the possible benefits of using podcasts as a language learning tool. After all, as Steve Jobs once said, "The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller." So why not immerse yourself in captivating narratives that make learning Dutch both effective and enjoyable?
The importance of listening in language learning
When learning a new language, there are four core language skills you need to take into account: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Speaking and writing are often referred to as your productive skills, whereas listening and reading are known as the receptive skills. Understanding these core language skills is important because depending on where you are in your language learning journey, you can decide to focus on just one or all four of them.
Of these four skills, listening is often the first one you develop in your native language. Think about it: as a tiny baby, you hear all the cooing and loving words your parents shower you with right from the moment you are born, long before you start uttering your first words. Therefore, listening skills are crucial for language acquisition.
Listening to native speakers exposes you as a language learner to the natural flow, sounds, and rhythm of the language you want to learn. If you’ve ever listened to a conversation in a language you don't understand at all, you might remember how hard it is to distinguish the individual words from each other or to figure out where one sentence ends and the next one begins. By practicing your listening skills, you will train yourself to recognize the natural stress patterns in that language. This will make it easier to turn the unrecognizable word salad into a meaningful and comprehensible context.
Shadowing
If you’re thinking of a private detective when you hear the word shadowing, you might not be too far off! In language learning, shadowing refers to the practice of mimicking the words of another speaker. You might know it as the annoying game you played when you were younger to drive your siblings crazy, but it is actually a very effective technique to develop a native accent. The practice is so effective that it is reportedly used by undercover agents to learn a foreign language!
Even if you’re not immediately planning on becoming a spy, you can listen to Dutch and Flemish podcasts to practice shadowing. Training your ears and mouth for phonetic awareness will definitely help you with your pronunciation and accent. It will also make you more aware of different regional accents.
Why choose podcasts?
We’ve all heard the joke: "Everybody has a podcast nowadays." You know what? I don’t mind. I love them all. Besides, it’s not like we weren’t listening to the radio before, right? I believe podcasts are a wonderfully convenient medium for language learning, and I’m certainly not alone. Their flexibility allows you to transform boring commutes into learning moments, and the ability to download and listen offline can turn even the most tedious gym session into a simultaneous physical and mental workout. And why not learn Dutch on the go while cooking or doing chores?
Selecting the right podcasts
Motivation is often the biggest obstacle when learning a new language. When you feel you’re no longer making progress or lagging behind, your lack of motivation might turn into frustration, making you want to give up. My advice is: don’t! Instead, choose a podcast or another learning tool that matches your language level.
In the European Union, language levels are categorized in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Levels range from A1 (absolute beginner) to C1 (advanced learner) and even C2 (near-native proficiency). While most study books display these CEFR levels, podcasts often don’t provide such indicators, making it challenging to assess your own proficiency level accurately. Therefore, it’s helpful to categorize yourself broadly as beginner, intermediate, or advanced:
Beginner: You speak little to no Dutch.
Intermediate: You understand basic sentences, can speak some Dutch, but make frequent grammar mistakes and struggle with finding the right words.
Advanced: You are fluent or reasonably fluent, capable of discussing a wide range of topics and reading longer texts in Dutch.
Remember that being an advanced learner does not mean you don’t make any mistakes anymore! They’re just less frequent, and the kind of mistakes are more complicated.
Knowing your language level helps you choose podcasts with suitable content. Advanced learners might benefit from Dutch podcasts covering current events, international politics, or philosophy. Beginners, on the other hand, should start with podcasts that teach the basics of Dutch from scratch.
Top podcasts for learning Dutch
There’s a wide variety of Dutch and Flemish podcasts out there, and this list is by no means a complete overview. It's simply a curated selection of personal suggestions, each podcast catering to different learning needs. Some podcasts are focused on learners, while others delve into cultural or conversational topics.
DutchPod101 offers a comprehensive series of podcasts suitable for both beginners and advanced learners. Episodes cover vocabulary lessons, grammar explanations, cultural insights, and conversational practice.
Why it’s recommended: It provides a broad spectrum of lessons tailored to various levels of language proficiency. The episodes are well-structured, integrating audio lessons with additional learning materials like transcripts available on their website.
Learn Dutch with the Dutch Online Academy
This podcast offers bite-sized episodes about current events in the Netherlands. Each episode is typically less than ten minutes long, making it perfect for a quick language boost, even if you’re really busy.
Why it’s recommended: Listening to this podcast will keep you up to date with current events in the Netherlands. Topics range from typical Dutch cultural events to Dutch geography. Free transcripts are available on their website. Best of all, each episode indicates the targeted CEFR language level, making it easy to choose an episode that suits your proficiency level.
"Een beetje Nederlands" ("A Little Dutch") is a perfect podcast for learners aiming to enhance their listening skills without necessarily delving into detailed grammatical explanations.
Why it’s recommended: This podcast focuses on history, culture, and notable Dutch figures, making it ideal for intermediate to advanced speakers who also want to explore Dutch culture and history. Episodes typically range from ten to twenty minutes and are presented in clear, straightforward language. Free transcripts are available on the website.
Learn Dutch with Lianne is similar to the previous podcast in that it centers on various cultural aspects of Dutch life, designed for learners in the process of mastering the language.
Why it’s recommended: The episodes are short and concise, making them ideal for a quick Dutch boost. All topics are explained in simple sentences and read slowly with clear pronunciation. Free transcripts are provided on the website, making it perfect for lower-intermediate learners.
LinguaBoost offers a language learning podcast series, including one for Dutch, structured around common phrases and practical dialogues.
Why It's Recommended: Episodes feature practical dialogues that focus on everyday conversations, emphasizing repetition and drills to reinforce learning. Their short, bite-sized format makes them perfect for fitting into any busy schedule.
This podcast is specifically designed for Dutch learners, covering a variety of subjects and breaking them down into easy-to-understand sentences.
Why it’s recommended: All episodes are learner-focused and cater to non-native speakers. Each episode explores different aspects of the language. The host speaks slowly and clearly, making this podcast accessible and educational for everyone.
The last podcast is slightly different from all the others. Docent NT2 doesn’t focus on the learner, but rather on the teacher. Hosted by Peter Schoenaerts, an expert in teaching Dutch as a foreign language, the podcast offers insights and strategies for Dutch teachers, which are also highly valuable for advanced learners.
Why it’s recommended: Peter Schoenaerts' expertise in teaching Dutch makes this podcast exceptionally informative and educational. He frequently invites guests to share additional insights. His clear, articulate style makes the podcast an excellent resource for advanced learners and aspiring teachers alike!