The real reason you're not speaking Dutch (yet)
You understand Dutch. But when it’s your turn to speak?
Freeze. Blank. Panic.
And the reason you’re not speaking Dutch is NOT because you need more grammar – or more words.
It’s something else.
It’s not in your head – it’s in your body.
And if we don’t fix this, you’ll keep avoiding real conversations forever:
→With your neighbours.
→Your child’s teacher.
→At the bakery.
In this free 12-minute video I share what I discovered after 13+ years of teaching internationals to speak Dutch.
It will shift how you think about learning Dutch – and show you the first real step to actually speaking it.
‘After signing up I will send you awesome and exclusive Dutch inspiration to your inbox every week’
What’s your next step at the Dutch Speaking Academy?
Speak Dutch with Confidence
‘Hallo, hoe gaat het?’
This might be one of the first sentences you studied when you were new to Dutch, toch? But why doesn’t anyone use it then? The only thing you hear Dutch people ask each other is: ‘Hoist?’ or ‘Hogattie?
Ja, je wilt graag Nederlands leren, maar dit is gekkenhuis (madness)!
And let’s be honest – studying competes with everythings else on your to-do list. And most Dutch people speak English anyway, here in Nederland.
Maar het voelt niet meer goed. Je bent hier nu een paar (a couple of) jaar. You want to connect, to integrate, to join in. Not as a guest, but as part of the community around you.
But you don’t want to take another regular course, where you don’t learn what you actually need!
Enter: Dutch Speaking Academy.
I designed a program for internationals like YOU, who want to:
Speak with confidence in everyday situations—whether that’s a parent-teacher meeting, a birthday party with your Dutch in-laws, or small talk with the neighbours at the buurtbarbeque.
Feel part of the conversation at work, in your street, or during everyday moments like grabbing a coffee in your favorite café or joining a local event.
Show up with confidence in a Dutch-speaking environment—and finally feel like you belong here.
In my programs, you’ll learn the Dutch you actually need for those (big and) little moments in life
Whether you're pursuing a career, raising a child or building a life of your own—you’ll be surrounded by fellow internationals who get it.
You’ll finally feel relaxed in situations that require Dutch — no more guessing, freezing, or nodding along.
You’ll feel more connected to the people, the culture, and yes - maybe even to your "Dutch self!"
You don’t have to do this alone. I’m here to support you. Let’s make this journey easier—together.
Mijn stijl - My style
Learning a new language shouldn’t feel like a chore or an uphill battle—it should fit into your life in a way that feels natural, engaging, and even fun.
I’ve seen too many smart, capable people lose their enthusiasm for Dutch after struggling through traditional courses. They start to believe they’re “too old,” “too busy,” or that learning Dutch isn’t even necessary because “everyone speaks English.”
But let’s be real—those thoughts keep you stuck.
Language isn’t just about words; it’s about connection. It’s about joining conversations without hesitation, understanding what’s happening around you — at work, in your street, or at your child’s school — and stepping into Dutch life with confidence.
That’s why my approach is different.
Personal, easygoing, and fueled by humor—because making mistakes isn’t failure, it’s how you grow.
My job? To make sure you feel strong, capable, and ready to speak Dutch in real life.
In 10 stappen meer Nederlands spreken in je dagelijks leven. Download de gratis video hier.
By receiving the podcast you agree to the privacyverklaring (privacy statement). ‘After signing up I will send you awesome and exclusive Dutch inspiration to your inbox every week’
Hallo! Welkom bij de Dutch Speaking Academy
Mijn naam is Mariska, moeder van Cato (7), Hugo (5) en Elli (2) en getrouwd met (married to) Pieter. Together we live in Diemen, right next to beautiful Amsterdam.
I’ve been a teacher since 2013 and helped hundreds of students to improve their Dutch. I still love it every day. My mission is to remove any stress and fear about learning a new language from the equation, so you can actually start speaking Dutch! We deal with enough stress as it is, let’s not make Dutch another stressor. Learning can be a fun and relaxing activity—if you have the right teacher.
Why do I do what I do? Because I believe that learning a language opens the gateway to the heart of a culture. And because I believe that it takes a bit of time to get to know the Dutch and their peculiarities, but the effort is 100 percent worth it.
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