Thread 33291575

I have been learning how to read and write Dutch on Duolingo (shut up I know it's not the best), but there is no way for me to practice speaking the language, let alone learn how to improve. I live in the middle of the United States, so there is no chance of me finding an in-person Dutch tutor.

What do?

pic not related

Consume dutch media, everyone else who isn't western learns english that way usually. You can find people nearby using Hellotalk which is a language exchange app but you'd have to pay for subscription.

>>33291575 (OP)
you could use those language exchange apps like HelloTalk or Tandem, though it's often used like a dating app for south east asians and weebs, I'm not sure how effective it it in finding dutch people there

>>33291675
Is it possible to do it in a way where you sound like a native? Like so people wouldn’t even think that I’m a foreigner

>>33291575 (OP)
I just read random, fun stuff in the target language, occasionally looking up words I don't know. I'll also make use of the "speak" button in Google translate to get the pronunciation, which i'll still butcher but at least I'm "in the ballpark."

>>33291882
Try to imitate characters with native voices, by saying some of their phrases for example. It'll help you remember pronunciation if you associate the words with memorable stuff.

>>33291575 (OP)
We learn language for communication, so find a way to communicate using Dutch. There are usually sites that match people up to help each other practice each other's languages and since you're a native English speaker you're pretty high demand there.

>>33291575 (OP)
This is quite neat imho (ignore the stuff about Japanese and Chinese).

https://web.archive.org/web/20201220142516/https://massimmersionapproach.com/table-of-contents/stage-0/overview/

>>33291575 (OP)
i'm still learning but i try to talk to myself in japanese like i do in english. once i learn enough in a few years i will try to only think in japanese a few days a week.

>>33291575 (OP)
I've learned a new language a few years ago, though it was a bit easier because I already knew a very similar one. Here's some pointers on what I did:
>Duolingo to dip my feets and get a feel for the language
>Anki Cards of full sentences (found a good deck online)
>Watching YouTube video and shit
All the while taking notes of new words and looking up grammar that sounded unfamiliar.
After a while I got Tandem. It's an app for finding language partners. Be prepared to have lots of shallow conversations and people who will ghost you, but it's good practice and I managed to make one of my best friends on there.
Also Language Jones on YouTube has some nice videos on the topic (and linguistics in general)

also >>>/int/lang

Based Syd Barrett poster.

>>33291575 (OP)
there is no way to learn how to speak it without speaking it. it's impossible. you might be able to learn vocab, and grammar to a toddler level. but unless you actually speak it you won't get better at speaking it. you need to force yourself to speak the language to get better - 100x better faster than if you were taking some shitty language class. go to omegle or discord or whatever is the equivalent in dutch, read dutch books, go shitpost in dutch 4chan. of course, you still need to learn the basics of grammar and vocab to actually be able to speak it but everything after the basics (aka the bare minimum) is all gained thru trial and error

Just came back after a while to this. Thank you for all the advice. I've done a fair bit of stuff outside of Duolingo to learn:

> Research grammar rules
> Conduct inner dialog in Dutch rather than English
> Watched Dutch content with Dutch subtitles enabled, pausing to translate each sentence, reading each sentence out loud.

>>33291708
>>33291675
I don't know how I didn't see those before now. Thanks, you two.

>>33293142
I've been looking around online to see if I can get a pen pal in the Netherlands. It's difficult, considering English is a second language to 90% of people there, and there aren't many other countries that speak Dutch, other than Suriname and maybe South Africa. From what I've heard online, Dutch people gate keep their language online, and would rather just speak English to you than be patient if you're learning. Hoping that this isn't true.

>>33297681

I partially agree with you on this. I learned Spanish from elementary school through high school (parents signed me up for a school that taught in Spanish and English), and I was forced to speak Spanish to socialize. It worked, but I definately needed the in-person practice, That is why I made this thread: to ask where to get practice when your original method isn't available.

Currently, I am in uni, so there may be a chance that I can do a semester abroad and study in the Netherlands. I'll have to look into it a little bit more.

>>33291575 (OP)
Talk to ChatGPT or Google Gemini in Dutch

Would that work...? You could probably tell it to correct you (in English) if you make a mistake

>>33291575 (OP)

Unironically, use some LLM, like ChatGPT or Gemini.

Learning languages has never been easier.

You don't even need to have a plan, just do whatever the fuck you want and have it drill you however you feel is helpful.

(alternatively, consider that you might just be a dumbass / pussy if you're having this much trouble with literally the closest relevant language to English lmao)

>>33297796

I have been using an LLM to correct my grammar. I think it does a pretty good job explaining my mistakes and answering follow-up questions.

>> you might just be a dumbass / pussy

Guys, does asking for help make you a dumbass? I imagine you're the Dutch person I mentioned here >>33297705 .

ive got some friends trying to learn Dutch. The fastest way is simply a uni course.
t. Dutch

>>33297872

I've looked into that, but my college doesn't have any Dutch courses.

>>33291575 (OP)
I use iTalki to find paid language tutors.

>>33297846
Pardon my French, but... it's fucking Dutch. If you're gonna be this much of a pussy when it comes to learning anything new, languages or otherwise, good luck with the rest of your life.

>>33291575 (OP)
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I want to get raped so badly!
Ps, I really like being forced to eat the poppy I just shat in my diaper :3
Discord: nogoober
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>>33291675
Look up dutch shows and torrent/stream them + dutch youtubers. Eventually you can move up to dutch books for vocab. I checked and google translate should offer you a somewhat accurate pronunciation robot. Otherwise, when you're more confident, you can find learning groups or just befriend dutch people on discord, reddit, etc and voicechat. I don't know if omegle is still around but I'd just put "interested in X country" and speak to natives sometimes there. If you're afraid, you can try to find dutch people in VR chat. Using avatars may help ease your nerves and there'll be more things to talk about around you.

>>33297796
this, I'm learning a language and surprisingly just typing "whatever in x language, natural sound/conversation" has been clutch since I don't know how to spell many words

>>33291575 (OP)
Real advice here.
Basically after a certain age, immersion doesn't work any more. You can force yourself consuming Dutch media or even moving there, and you will not get much result.
An active effort is needed, not just some passive watching/reading or definitely not simple greetings with cashiers and officials.
You need to grind. There is no way around it. For beginners, the focus should be grammar and pronunciation. Get a grammar book and a phonetic book. Do it on your own. You can ask for help from those discord language learning servers. But in my experience, they are just a distraction.
This is step 1.
People want easy and free shortcuts like watching movies, playing video games, etc. in the target language. They simply don't work.

>>33298764

>> get a grammar book and a phonetic book

I found two small paperback reference guides that pack a lot of important vocabulary and grammar. I also found a PDF document online that goes a little more in-depth, as well as provides some practice problems.