When NOT speaking Dutch is no longer an option...
You started learning Dutch with so much motivation— but then life happened. A busy job, moving to a new house, maybe even sleepless nights with little ones…
And Dutch? That fell to the bottom of the list.
But you decided to stay here, so the ‘I’m an expat-card’ doesn’t apply anymore and you want to speak the local language. You find yourself in more and more situations where you WANT to speak Dutch – but when you try… you freeze. At work, in the neighbourhood, or – if you have kids – at your child’s school. You feel the gap growing.
- In that 10-minute conversation with the school teacher,
- chatting with the neighbours by the front door,
- or at the coffee machine with your Dutch colleagues — you want to join in, but the words don’t come.
You hesitate – and then the moment is gone. Again.
And that feels frustrating. Maybe even lonely.
But here’s the truth: you’re not alone. And I can help.
I have a special video for you with my 10-stappenplan to finally start speaking Dutch with confidence—step by step.
Perfect for school situations, and just as helpful for work, your buren, or even your schoonfamilie.
Get the free video here. 👇🏼
‘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.
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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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