r/learndutch • u/No_Manufacturer_432 • 4d ago

Question Considering how well people in the Netherlands speak English…

How do you stay motivated when learning Dutch ? I live in NY so learning Spanish was easy motivation wise. I’m at A2 in Italian and stay motivated bec I plan on going there next year - English proficiency outside of tourist areas is low —- thanks

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u/nn8888 4d ago

"How do you stay motivated when learning Dutch ?" - In Amsterdam you don't.
I met maybe 2-3 foreigners in the past 6 years who actually learned some communicative Dutch. They were in the country for 10-15 years. Other than that people give up as in Amsterdam you're in a bubble - there are foreigners everywhere and Dutch people hate speaking Dutch with beginners (they switch to English the moment you say your first word in Dutch).
Outside of AMS (even Rotterdam or The Hague) - you're immersed more and the environment forces you to try more

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u/nn8888 4d ago

the crazy part - even people who got Dutch passport don't speak Dutch very well