The Dutch Speaking Academy Podcast

“I thought I should be fluent by now…” Ever felt like you're behind in your Dutch journey? Like you should already be fluent - after 3, 5, maybe even 10+ years?

In this episode, I share the story of one of my students who let go of that invisible deadline. And what happened next brought her freedom, joy, and confidence to finally speak Dutch with ease.

If that "I should have been fluent by now" voice lives in your head too - kijk dan deze video.

You're not late. You're not behind.

You're ready for the next step. Let me help you take it.

x Mariska

PS. Want more?

Join my community; ⁠⁠⁠The Dutch Speaking Circle⁠⁠

Want to stay connected?

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nieuwsbrief⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DutchSpeakingAcademy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is for internationals living in the Netherlands who understand Dutch but struggle to speak it confidently. We talk about language confidence, fear of making mistakes, perfectionism, and how to start speaking Dutch more often in daily life.

Je weet dat je Nederlands kúnt spreken.

Maar je doet het niet.

Misschien heb je een B1 certificaat, misschien heb je jarenlang cursussen gedaan.

Maar in de winkel, op werk, bij schoolgesprekken... you keep speaking English.

In deze aflevering vertel ik wat make-up, grammatica en spreken met zelfvertrouwen met elkaar te maken hebben.

En waarom focussen op perfectie je alleen maar stopt.

Ik vertel:
– waarom grammatica nooit de focus is in mijn programma’s
– wat mijn studenten écht tegenhoudt om te spreken

x Mariska

PS: Ben jij klaar om eindelijk te gaan spreken, ook al is het niet perfect?

Word lid van mijn community; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dutch Speaking Circle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Meer van mij volgen?

⁠⁠⁠⁠Nieuwsbrief⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠@DutchSpeakingAcademy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is for internationals living in the Netherlands who understand Dutch but struggle to speak it confidently. We talk about language confidence, fear of making mistakes, perfectionism, and how to start speaking Dutch more often in daily life.

So… I watched a clip of Queen Máxima the other day.

She was answering a journalist’s question (in het Nederlands) and you know what?

She made mistakes. Our Queen.

Small ones. De/het stuff. Word order.

The usual 'Dutch mess'.

And I loved it.

This episode is for every international who’s still holding back from speaking Dutch because it’s “not perfect yet”.

Here’s the deal: Máxima had top-tier language training, years of experience, and STILL makes mistakes.

And yet - she shows up. She speaks.

And so should you.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- Why speaking imperfect Dutch is better than staying silent.

- How to keep going when your brain freezes mid-sentence.

- How to stop listening to the mean voice in your head (and turn up the volume on your inner cheerleader).

- What to do when people judge your accent or grammar (because YES - they will).

- How to shift from “not good enough” to “I said what I needed to say. Period.”

Expression beats perfection.

Every. Damn. Time.🔥

Want to feel that for yourself?

Join my community; ⁠⁠⁠The Dutch Speaking Circle⁠⁠

Want to stay connected?

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nieuwsbrief⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DutchSpeakingAcademy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is for internationals living in the Netherlands who understand Dutch but struggle to speak it confidently. We talk about language confidence, fear of making mistakes, perfectionism, and how to start speaking Dutch more often in daily life.

xx Mariska

Ready to speak more Dutch – beyond just “Hoe gaat het?”
In this video, I’ll teach you real Dutch conversation starters that locals actually use. In easy to follow Dutch - with subtitles.
They’re easy, effective, and instantly help you connect — whether you’re at the school gate, in the supermarket, or by the coffee machine at work.

No more awkward silences or switching back to English.
These Dutch phrases help you to connect, enjoy small talk, and build confidence while your'e at it.

You’ll learn:

• How to open any convo with the weather (yes, it’s a thing in Dutch culture!)

• How to give casual compliments that feel natural

• What to say on Mondays ("lekker weekend gehad?") or Fridays ("leuke plannen dit weekend?")

And… how to reply like a local with:

• “Nou!”

• “Zeg dat wel!”

• And even, “Nee joh, Zeeman, drie euro!” (when someone compliments your outfit)

This is a must-watch if you want to make Dutch part of your daily life.
Practice these phrases, try them this week — and let me know in the comments how it went!

Meer gespreksopeners weten?

Voor €7 download je het Dutch Small Talk Cheat Sheet met meer dan 50 gespreksopeners!

Zie je snel?

Liefs, Mariska

PS. Wil je meer?

Word lid van mijn community; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dutch Speaking Circle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Meer van mij volgen?

⁠⁠⁠⁠Nieuwsbrief⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠@DutchSpeakingAcademy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is for internationals living in the Netherlands who understand Dutch but struggle to speak it confidently. We talk about language confidence, fear of making mistakes, perfectionism, and how to start speaking Dutch more often in daily life.

Your child is learning Dutch every single day, this is the perfect moment to learn alongside them.

Dutch for Parents is the only Dutch program created specifically for international parents ready to finally SPEAK Dutch:

At school. On the playground. With the teacher. With other parents. And maybe even at home.

This online academy is flexible, practical and built for busy parents with full agendas.

And let’s be honest: the perfect moment to start never comes. But this moment is perfect. Don’t let the gap between you and your child grow – grow together instead.

I got you.

x Mariska

PS. Want more?

Join my community; ⁠⁠⁠The Dutch Speaking Circle⁠⁠

Want to stay connected?

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nieuwsbrief⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DutchSpeakingAcademy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is for internationals living in the Netherlands who understand Dutch but struggle to speak it confidently. We talk about language confidence, fear of making mistakes, perfectionism, and how to start speaking Dutch more often in daily life.

In deze Instagram Live deel ik 3 échte situaties van moeders uit het Dutch for Parents programma:

– Een kindje valt en jij moet hem helpen.
– Je belt midden in de nacht de dokter voor je kind, maar die spreekt geen Engels.
– Je kind vertelt enthousiast over school, maar jij begrijpt het niet - en hij kent de woorden niet in jouw moedertaal.

Drie momenten waarop Engels geen optie was.

Drie momenten waarop Nederlands spreken het verschil maakte.

Kun jij het je permitteren om nog 6 maanden te wachten?

Start direct met Dutch for Parents .
Meld je nu aan.

Je hoeft het niet alleen te doen.

Liefs, Mariska

PS. Wil je meer?

Word lid van mijn community; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dutch Speaking Circle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Meer van mij volgen?

⁠⁠⁠⁠Nieuwsbrief⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠@DutchSpeakingAcademy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is for internationals living in the Netherlands who understand Dutch but struggle to speak it confidently. We talk about language confidence, fear of making mistakes, perfectionism, and how to start speaking Dutch more often in daily life.

Do you want to speak more Dutch but it just feels… hard, boring, or awkward? In this video (in easy to follow Dutch for A2 levels and up), I’ll show you how to make learning Dutch fun (leuk!), and something you might actually look forward to – even if you're tired, busy, or not confident yet

Because here's the truth: if it's not 'leuk', you're not going to keep doing it.So let’s make it leuker, together.

✨ Curious about learning Dutch as a parent? Find the online Dutch for Parents academy here.

Liefs, Mariska

PS. Want more?

Join my community; ⁠⁠⁠The Dutch Speaking Circle⁠⁠

Want to stay connected?

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nieuwsbrief⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DutchSpeakingAcademy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is for internationals living in the Netherlands who understand Dutch but struggle to speak it confidently. We talk about language confidence, fear of making mistakes, perfectionism, and how to start speaking Dutch more often in daily life.

🎙️ Moederschap, migratie en Nederlands leren – luister naar Griselda’s verhaal.

Wat gebeurt er als je kind vloeiend Nederlands spreekt en jij niet?

Griselda vertelt hoe ze via Dutch for Parents het zelfvertrouwen (confidence) vond om Nederlands te spreken in alledaagse situaties – op de opvang, in winkels en met andere ouders.

Ze deelt hoe ze nu met haar dochter in het Nederlands kan praten, iets wat eerst ver weg leek.

Een eerlijk gesprek over taal, moederschap en je thuis voelen in een nieuw land via de taal.

Leer alles over het Dutch for Parents programma hier.

Liefs, Mariska

PS. Wil je verder oefenen met Nederlands spreken?

Word lid van mijn community; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dutch Speaking Circle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Meer van mij volgen?

⁠⁠⁠⁠Nieuwsbrief⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠@DutchSpeakingAcademy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is for internationals living in the Netherlands who understand Dutch but struggle to speak it confidently. We talk about language confidence, fear of making mistakes, perfectionism, and how to start speaking Dutch more often in daily life.

In deze aflevering vertel ik je over iets nieuws wat ik ben gestart: pianoles.

Spannend... want ineens (all of a sudden) ben ik weer een beginner.

En dat gevoel – dat je iets wilt leren, maar dat je hoofd vol zit met twijfels (doubts) – dat herken (recognize) jij natuurlijk ook als je probeert Nederlands te spreken.

Ik deel wat dit met mij doet, hoe belangrijk mindset is bij het leren, en waarom dit precies is wat we morgenavond in mijn gratis masterclass gaan doen.

Liefs, Mariska

PS. Wil je verder oefenen met Nederlands spreken?

Word lid van mijn community; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dutch Speaking Circle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Meer van mij volgen?

⁠⁠⁠⁠Nieuwsbrief⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠@DutchSpeakingAcademy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is for internationals living in the Netherlands who understand Dutch but struggle to speak it confidently. We talk about language confidence, fear of making mistakes, perfectionism, and how to start speaking Dutch more often in daily life.

In deze video leer je hoe je je kind in het Nederlands kunt omschrijven (describe).

Is je kind lief, grappig, koppig of nieuwsgierig? Je leert veel nieuwe woorden die je helpen om het karakter, gedrag (behavior) en de energie van je kind te benoemen — in het Nederlands!

🎧 Deze video komt uit de online academy van Dutch for Parents, het programma voor internationale ouders die met meer zelfvertrouwen (confidence) Nederlands willen spreken — thuis, op de opvang, op het schoolplein of in de speeltuin.

👉 Wil je ook toegang tot (access to) deze academy én leren hoe je makkelijker praat met de juf, andere ouders en je kind in het Nederlands?

Meld je hier aan!

Need a taster first?

Word lid van mijn community; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dutch Speaking Circle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Liefs, Mariska

Meer van mij volgen?

⁠⁠⁠⁠Nieuwsbrief⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ · ⁠⁠⁠⁠@DutchSpeakingAcademy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is for internationals living in the Netherlands who understand Dutch but struggle to speak it confidently. We talk about language confidence, fear of making mistakes, perfectionism, and how to start speaking Dutch more often in daily life.